It’s no secret that many women are waiting longer to begin a family. They want to accomplish some personal goals like completing their graduate degrees or reaching professional milestones. They make the decision to put pregnancy on the back burner, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t serious about wanting a baby. They know it would have been easier to get pregnant in their twenties, however, they recognize that it is still doable. If that describes you, here is your guide to pregnancy after 35.
Why Is Pregnancy After 35 Considered High Risk?
The challenges of getting pregnant once you reach 35 increase. To begin, a woman only has so many eggs which can be fertilized, and most of them occur earlier in her life. In addition, their quality may be affected.
Older mothers have additional issues to face including the possibility that their baby may be born with Down Syndrome.
An older woman also has a higher risk of complications during pregnancy and birth plus having other conditions most younger women don’t encounter. They may include the following:
- The risk of gestational diabetes increases. This only occurs with pregnancy and mostly with older mothers. The mother must manage this condition throughout the term. It increases the risk of a premature birth, high blood pressure, and other complications to the baby after birth.
- The potential of prematurity and having a baby with a low birth rate.
- The risk of losing the baby is higher from miscarriage or stillbirth.
- Older mothers may need a C-section.
- You may develop high blood pressure during pregnancy which needs constant monitoring with your obstetrician. Preeclampsia is high blood pressure that affects organs like kidneys and liver.
Some Recent Statistics
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine tells us women under the age of 30 have a 25% chance of getting pregnant each cycle. Once you reach age 30, that chance drops to 20%. At 35 it is 14% and by age 40 a woman has only a 5% chance.
It is more difficult but not impossible.
Tips to Stay Healthy and Prepare
No matter your age, all women contemplating pregnancy should put herself in a healthy place. This includes eating a healthy diet.
It is essential to stop smoking in addition to avoiding alcohol and drugs.
Begin taking a multivitamin with folic acid, and engage in daily exercise of some kind, even walking.
Have a prenatal exam to be sure you are physically and emotionally ready for a baby. Getting early and regular prenatal care and taking enough folic acid can benefit older women.
You can have an uncomplicated pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby!
Some Good News
Making the decision to wait to become pregnant has some benefits for you and your little one.
- Older individuals who give birth are usually better educated and have higher incomes than younger parents. This provides more resources for their child and its development.
- You may live longer when you wait to be a parent.
- Your child can end up more well adjusted, healthier, and better educated.
It is your decision!
Do everything to stay healthy and work with a pregnancy specialist like OBGYN Michelle Wood, MD throughout the process.
Contact Florida Women’s Health at (352) 820-4392 for testing and recommendations if you are contemplating pregnancy after 35 in the Ocala area. You can also request an appointment through our secure online form.
