Pregnancy after 35 years of age
While many women over 35 years have normal pregnancies, those over 35 do have special considerations for pregnancy. Making the right choices early on and working with your doctor or obstetrician can help your pregnancy be trouble-free.
Making the right choices
What’s healthy for you is often healthy for your baby. What’s harmful to you may harm your baby even more. Before and after you become pregnant:
- do not use recreational or illicit drugs;
- do not drink alcohol; and
- do not smoke.
Keeping you and your baby healthy
Diet and exercise before and during pregnancy play a big role in your health. To help you and your baby remain healthy:
- take a daily vitamin supplement that contains folic acid (a vitamin that reduces the chance of some birth defects), calcium, iodine and iron, but does not have a high level of vitamin A (check with your doctor or pharmacist that the formulation is appropriate);
- eat a high fibre, well balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables;
- stay physically active; and
- keep to a healthy bodyweight, but do not diet to lose weight during pregnancy.
Work closely with your doctor or obstetrician to get answers to the questions you may have. You may need extra care during pregnancy if you have any of the following:
- a sexually transmitted disease (STD);
- diabetes;
- high blood pressure; or
- other chronic health problems (illnesses requiring long term treatment), especially heart or lung disease.
Special health care
Your doctor or obstetrician can give you more details about the care you will need. Women aged 35 years and older may need special care before and during pregnancy. You may want to learn more about the following issues.
Fertility counselling
As women and men age, their fertility decreases and getting pregnant can become difficult for women. Ask your doctor how long you should try to get pregnant before seeking help regarding infertility. If necessary, you and your partner can work with a specialist towards achieving conception.
Genetic counselling
Genetic counselling studies the risk of birth defects for your baby. As you get older, the risk of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality (such as Down syndrome) gradually increases. You should ask your doctor for details. You will be asked detailed questions about your family health history. The information gained can help you and your doctor learn whether the fetus has a risk of health problems.
Amniocentesis
This test studies amniotic fluid (liquid that surrounds the fetus in the womb). Amniocentesis can help diagnose birth defects and other medical problems. Women aged 35 years and older often have this test, which is usually done at about 15 weeks.
Chorionic villus sampling
This test studies cells from the placenta, and can help diagnose birth defects and other medical problems. Women aged 35 years and older often have this test, which can be done as early as 10 to 12 weeks.
Other things to consider
Most women aged 35 years or older have normal pregnancies, but there are some particular things you need to think about before becoming pregnant. Once a woman reaches 35 years she has a greater chance of the following:
- having fertility problems;
- having a miscarriage or fetal loss in the second or third trimesters;
- developing diabetes or high blood pressure while pregnant;
- being constantly tired when pregnant;
- giving birth by Caesarean section (surgery needed to deliver a baby);
- having babies with chromosomal problems such as Down syndrome; or
- having multiple births.
This is a great time for you to become a mum, with many women over 35 years having first babies. By working with your doctor and obstetrician and getting regular antenatal care, you will help to ensure a healthy and rewarding pregnancy.
Last Reviewed: 05 August 2009
