After age 35, there's a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications that might lead to a C-section delivery. The risk of chromosomal conditions is higher. Babies born to older mothers have a higher risk of certain chromosomal conditions, such as Down syndrome. The risk of pregnancy loss is higher.
A pregnancy that begins after age 35 is classified as a high-risk pregnancy because the risk of complications is higher, not inevitable. Many of the problems that occur with pregnancies after age 35 are related to health conditions that occur more often as you age.
Definition of geriatric pregnancy
We define advanced maternal age (formerly geriatric pregnancy) as those who are 35 years or older at their estimated delivery date.
Late preterm babies (babies who are born between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation) are less mature and developed than full-term babies. Hence, babies born at 35 weeks are at a higher risk of developing complications than full-term babies. One of the best ways to prevent preterm birth is with high-quality prenatal care.
Babies that are delivered at 36 weeks are generally fully developed and healthy. However, there are still risks and complications possible.
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.
Avoid foods that can give you heartburn and eating too close to bedtime. Get a little safe exercise in during the day. If you nap, do it early in the day. Make your room a comfortable temperature; many experts recommend turning the temperature down for sleep.
Geriatric pregnancy is a rarely used term for having a baby when you're 35 or older. Rest assured, most healthy women who get pregnant after age 35 and even into their 40s have healthy babies.
For example, a woman at 30 often has around 100,000-150,000 eggs in reserve. By 35, that number is likely around 80,000. Late into the thirties, that number could be 25,000, 10,000, or fewer.
At age 35, there is a 15% chance per month of conception. At age 40, the chance of conception is 5% per month. About 44% of women in their 40s will conceive within one year.
IVF Australia's medical director Peter Illingworth told The New Daily that it's highly unusual to see women starting a large family at 35 years old, but not impossible. “At age 35, fertility and the risks of pregnancy are little different from younger years, it's just that it all steadily slows down after that age.”
Women who become pregnant in their 30s and early 40s can have safe, healthy pregnancies, says Ellie Ragsdale, MD, director of fetal intervention at UH Cleveland Medical Center. But they do face a higher risk of some problems.
The good news is that as a woman in your 30s or 40s, it's likely that you already have a healthier lifestyle than you did in your 20s. Keep in mind that despite the increased risks, plenty of women conceive and go on to have healthy babies well into their late 30s and early 40s.
The Size of the Foetus at 35 Weeks Pregnant
Now that you're 35 weeks pregnant, your foetus is about the size of a honeydew melon, measuring about 46.2 centimetres from head to heel, and weighing in at around 2.4 kilograms (5.3 pounds).
In the 35th week, your baby is equal to the size of a pineapple. Its body measures about 46.2 cm from head to toe and weighs about 2.4 kilos.
By this stage of pregnancy, the fetus weighs approximately 2.5kg and measures around 46cm in length from crown to heel. A steady weight gain will continue now, until birth although growing in terms of length tends to level out around this time.
If you're 35 years old or older and pregnant, you're considered to be of advanced maternal age, or AMA. This can put your pregnancy in the high-risk category for a number of reasons, including an increased risk of complications for you and your baby.
Most babies move to a head-down position in the uterus toward the end, with the head on the mother's pubic bone. The lungs are the last major organ to finish developing. When fully mature, they produce a chemical that affects the hormones in your body.
By 36 weeks, your baby's lungs are fully formed and ready to take their first breath after the birth. The digestive system is fully developed and your baby will be able to feed if they're born now.
In medical terms, your baby is considered fully developed or full term from 37 weeks. It's worth bearing in mind, however, that not all babies are born in the weeks leading up to 40 weeks gestation. Some babies aren't born until weeks after their estimated due date.
"Studies show that children of older mothers stay in the educational system longer, do better on standardized tests, and are more likely to go to college than their peers born to young moms," says Dr. Salber.