What Are the Risks of a Geriatric Pregnancy?
Although having a baby in your mid-30s is perfectly normal, getting pregnant later in life isn't without risks. According to the Cleveland Clinic, women over the age of 35 have an increased risk of:
- Preeclampsia
- Gestational diabetes
- Giving birth prematurely
- Giving birth to a child with a low birth weight
- Expecting twins
- Losing a pregnancy, via miscarriage or stillbirth
- Genetic disorders, including Downs syndrome
- Needing a Cesarean section (c-section)
Fertility also declines slightly in your 30s (although it doesn't "drop off a cliff," and most people who try to conceive in their 30s will go on to have a child).
While the list may seem overwhelming or scary at first, don't forget that every pregnancy has risks associated with it — regardless of the mother's age.
"While fertility gradually declines and there are more risks for women over age 35, there are many ways to support your body before and during pregnancy that can contribute to a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby," Dr. Pero notes. "Studies have shown that optimal nutrition, BMI, preconception and prenatal vitamin supplementation, and cessation of alcohol and cigarette smoking can help to reduce the risks of complications in pregnancies in these age groups."