Age and women – difficult issue every time. Not only women have to worry about their age, but their age might become a problem when conceiving a baby. So, what are the risks of having a baby after the age of 35?
Many experts say that if you’re thinking about having a baby later in life, you should be aware of the risks – which increase with age – so you can make an informed decision.
Of course, age is not only a state of mind, it’s a reality your baby will be aware of when he’s going to be 15 and you, 50.
Growing older means the aging curve accelerates, and the mortality risk goes up as you get older. It’s not the end of the world.
Many doctors say that the risks faced by women over 35 during pregnancy have been over exaggerated. At this age, a woman is perfectly capable to have an uneventful pregnancy. It’s very important to remember that not only age counts, but your health before conceiving matters too, and that’s good news, because it’s something you can control.
So what are the risks? Women over 35 have an increased risk of the following complications during pregnancy: miscarriage, placenta previa, fetal distress, birth by cesarean section, high blood pressure, diabetes, ectopic pregnancy and premature delivery.
The baby is also at risk for low birth weight, genetic disorders like Down syndrome, asphyxia, brain bleeds and stillbirth. Unfortunately, the biggest obstacle for women over the age of 35 may be getting pregnant (the top is somewhere between ages of 20 and 24).
At 35, women have more problems conceiving, even with infertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization.
It might be a very good idea for women at this age to meet with her doctor for a thorough preconception consultation. He will decide, after a detailed medical and family history of both prospective parents, identify some conditions that might affect both the mother and the child.
