Over 35 and Pregnant
Once considered taboo, pregnancy over 35 years of age has become such a common occurrence that it even seems a little silly to be writing about it. However, no matter how “normal” it has become, there are still some risks associated with becoming pregnant at this age. These risks should be discussed with your doctor prior to conception. If not, the conversation with your doctor should still occur if you find out that you have become pregnant.
There are some extra considerations and precautions suggested for women as they conceive and carry babies in their mid-30s and beyond, the first of which is their general health. As we age, medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease become more common. Although these are treatable conditions, they do place an added burden on the expectant mother and may cause obstetrical complications for the mom and her unborn child.
The central issue revolves around the baby. It is well known that the older a woman is, the greater her chances are of having a child with a chromosome problem. The risk is small but so is the risk of detecting such a problem, performing an amniocentesis. Once we get beyond health issues and the DNA, women over 35 seem to do quite well.
I don’t want to give the impression that one can conceive indefinitely without some increased risk of problems. After age 40, pregnancy does become more complicated and there is a reasonable increase in the health risks to the mom and baby.
As always, it is so important to speak with your doctor about your specific health concerns, especially if you are considering pregnancy.
