Halle Berry had her first child, Nahla Ariela, at the age of 41. Minnie Driver, 38, is set to give birth to her first child this summer. Nicole Kidman did not have the opportunity to get pregnant when she was married to Tom Cruise. However, for her second marriage with country crooner Keith Urban, Nicole has now chosen to carry his child at the ripe age of 40. Madonna gave birth to her last child at 42, while Geena Davis was 47 when she had her twins. And now, Diane Farr had joined the list of couples who are enjoying pregnancy and parenthood beyond 35! Looks like we may have added a few more ticks to the old biological clock.
With the spotlight on the myriad of celebrity couples getting pregnant later in life, instead of during their twenty's or early thirty's, other women may wonder if it is applicable in their situation to choose to have children at a later age. Although it is possible to have a perfectly healthy baby and a safe pregnancy at this age, there are certain risks that you should be aware of. When you reach the age of 35, there are special risks associated with getting pregnant.
One of the first issues that you need to be concerned about if you decide to postpone having a baby is the 'getting pregnant' stage itself. When a woman reaches the age of 30, there is definitely a decline in fertility. For example, if you compare a 22-year old and a 36-year old woman who are both trying to conceive - the younger woman will likely have an easier time conceiving. The older you are, the longer it will take for you to get pregnant due to the decrease in fertility.
One of the most commonly cited cause of of age-related decline in fertility is less frequent ovulation. As women age, they begin to have occasional cycles where an egg is never released. Egg quality and quantity also declines in a woman's 30s and 40s. Other reasons conceiving after 35 may be more difficult include:
- Infection or surgery that caused scar tissue around the fallopian tubes or cervix.
- Endometriosis. This medical condition exists when tissue attaches to the fallopian tube, which as a result interferes with her chance of conceiving.
- Fibroids or uterine disorders.
- Decrease in cervical fluid.
- Chronic health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
- Higher risk of giving birth to babies with birth defects. These defects can range from physical birth defects, down syndrome and mental retardation.
- As women age, the risk of miscarriage during the first trimester also increases. At the age of 35 to 39, there is a 20% risk of the pregnancy ending in miscarriage. Between the ages of 40 to 45, the risk increases to almost 50%.
- Women over 35 are more likely to have a difficult time during labor, especially the first-time moms. There is also a 40% rate for women over 335 to have a cesarean section.
- Women over 35 are more likely to have stillbirth or low-birth weight babies. In the same vein, women who are over 40 are 40% more likely to have premature delivery.
Tips on Reducing the Health Risks of Pregnancy After 35
1. The key to managing the health risks related to conceiving after the age of 35 is to be aware of such risks in the first place, and start planning with your doctor as soon as possible. Proper planning with your medical professional and a good regimen of self care will help to ensure that you will have a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.
2. For starters, women who are in their 30's and 40's are more prone to chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems. Therefore, if you are already pregnant, or if you plan to conceive when you are in your late thirties, you should consult your doctor to see whether such chronic health problems will have any ill-effects to your pregnancy.
3. As soon as your pregnancy is confirmed, you should visit your doctor regularly for prenatal care. It is also a good idea to start your pregnancy at an ideal weight, which is neither too heavy nor too thin. See our FitPregnancy section for more information.
4. Having a healthy diet will improve your health, as well as that of your baby's. Choose foods which are rich in folic acid, and eat a lot of fortified cereals, leafy green veggies, legumes, dried beans and citrus fruits. You should also take the prenatal vitamins which are prescribed by your ob-gyn.
5. You may also want to undergo a prenatal screening test called amniocentesis. This is especially helpful for pregnant women who are over 35 years old. During the test, a thin needle is inserted in a woman's abdomen, then a small sample of amniotic fluid is removed and tested. This will indicate whether the fetus has a genetic disorder or not. Similar prenatal tests can be done as well, such as an ultrasound, or a blood test using a quad marker screen and Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS). You should ask your ob-gyn whether these tests are applicable for you.
6. The good news for women over 35 who are trying to conceive is that any fertility problem can be addressed, no matter how challenging or complicated the situation is. This decline in fertility may be attributed to a decrease in the health and number of egg cells. Thanks to advanced medical technology, there are several modern treatments available for couples or women who are trying to have a baby. Your treatment options can range from simple lifestyle changes to surgery, medication, or assisted reproduction. Most important is to make your decision to start trying to conceive, and take all the necessary steps and precautions to have a safe and healthy family!
