By age 30, fertility (the ability to get pregnant) starts to decline. This decline happens faster once you reach your mid-30s. By 45, fertility has declined so much that getting pregnant naturally is unlikely.
2. 37 is no longer that old to have a baby and, with the right medical care, you can get the answers to your questions and feel comfortable going forward. I absolutely loved my high-risk OB, whom I went to for both pregnancies, even though only my first was complicated.
Not necessarily. If you had a straightforward pregnancy and birth last time, and you're fit and healthy, you and your baby are likely to be fine this time, too. Even so, there are a few things you should be aware of. Unfortunately, the risk of miscarriage does increase with age.
Women in their late 30s and 40s are having babies at higher rates than ever these days, and the vast majority have healthy pregnancies and babies. But because being pregnant at age 45 comes with increased risks, it's wise to take extra care and some additional precautions to ensure the best outcome possible.
This goes against the old cultural message that people over 35 should no longer bear children, which is not true in most cases. "This pre-pregnancy-related anxiety about one's fertility being finished is more of a worry than a reality," reassures Dr. Fraga.
A woman's risk for general health issues and pregnancy-related health issues gradually increases every year — and there's not much difference between 34 and 35. However, 35 is the age at which medical research indicates that risk factors related to pregnancy merit some more discussion.
Pregnancy over 35 is actually quite common.
I had my first child at 33, my second at 36, and recently delivered my third at age 39. When I got pregnant at 32, I was one of the first of my friends to have kids. The rest joined the club after age 35, echoing a national trend of waiting longer to start having children.
Which complications are more common in women over 40? Older mothers seem more likely to complications problems in pregnancy and childbirth. You're more likely to experience problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, placental problems and birth complications.
While a baby resulting from pregnancy in your 40s is more likely to have some complications, the good news is that with good care, watchful eyes, and modern technology, the vast majority of these babies are born healthy.
You're more likely to have a miscarriage if you're older. At age 40, 27% of pregnancies end in a miscarriage compared to 16% for those 30 or younger. C-section. If you're 40 or older, you're more likely to have a C-section delivery than a vaginal delivery.
If you're older than 35 and hoping to get pregnant, you're in good company. Many families are delaying pregnancy well into their 30s and beyond — and delivering healthy babies. Taking special care can help give your baby the best start.
Geriatric Pregnancy Risks
Problems can arise no matter how old you are when you get pregnant. But some become more likely when you hit 35, including: High blood pressure, which can lead to preeclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure and organ damage) Gestational diabetes.
You may have heard that a woman's risk for complications during pregnancy goes up after age 35. The fact is that most women in their 30s and 40s have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. To ensure a healthy pregnancy, you should do what any woman should do: Prepare for your baby with healthy lifestyle choices.
“A healthy 38-year-old could have an easier pregnancy than a 20-year-old who has multiple medical issues,” Dr. Kalish says. “It's really a gradual increased risk little by little over age 35, and it's incredibly individualized.”
Is it ever too late to have a baby? Thanks to technology plus the generosity of donors and surrogates, the answer to the final question is no – it's never completely too late. But first, it's important to take a look at the basics behind the biological clock and what implication it actually has on our fertility.
In women 40 years or over , the risk of pregnancy complications, such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes, increases. The rate of birth abnormalities or genetic conditions in the baby also increases.
How many eggs does a woman have at 40? By the time a woman reaches 40, she'll be down to about 18,000 (3% of her pre-birth egg supply). Although the chances of conception are lower, this does not mean it is impossible to conceive at this age.
“The most likely outcome of a pregnancy for a woman in her 40s, once you get past the first several weeks, is normal,” Dr. Humphrey says. Forty-something pregnancies are no longer considered extremely unusual. In 2016, for the first time, women giving birth in their 30s outnumbered women who gave birth in their 20s.
Most people over 40 have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.
It is true that fertility does decline with age, but many women conceive naturally aged over 40 and go on to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.
Get early and regular prenatal care. Take prenatal vitamins every day that contain 0.4 milligrams of folic acid, which can help prevent certain birth defects. Start at least 2 months prior to conception. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that includes a variety of foods.
After having your first baby, you might think that getting pregnant a second will happen just as easily, but that's not always true. While many couples have no problem conceiving the second time around, millions of couples struggle with secondary infertility, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.