Prenatal Care When You Are 40 or Older: Healthy Pregnancies When You Are Considered of Advanced Maternal Age

5 December 2016

Jaime Allen

Many women are waiting until their late 30s and early 40s to have children. This is a trend that has grown as more women have focused on careers before starting a family. While women tend to be the most physically healthy in their early 20s, this does not mean that they can't have a healthy pregnancy when they are considered to be of advanced maternal age. The established age to be considered of advanced maternal is only 35 years old, and many women have an excellent, problem-free pregnancy when they are 25 years old or older. With excellent prenatal care and healthy habits, a woman who is in her later childbearing years can have a routine pregnancy and deliver a healthy child.

Calls to Your OB/GYN at the First Sign of Pregnancy

Early prenatal care is essential for women who are pregnant with a child and over 40. The complications of pregnancy increase the older the mother is. This means that early prenatal care is essential, and routine visits with an OB/GYN may be more frequent than they would be for a woman who is only 25. All women who are pregnant should avoid smoking and drinking alcohol and should eat a decent, nutritious diet. These things become even more important the older you are, and women over 40 can have healthier pregnancies when they take excellent care of their bodies.

The Risks of a Pregnancy in a Woman Over 40

If you've tried to get pregnant for some time without success, then you know the emotional toll it can take to try to have a family. If you are over 40 and trying to get pregnant, you should understand the following things.

• It will probably take you longer to get pregnant at 40 than it would have when you were 25.
• The chances of having a multiple birth increases with age. If you take medications to stimulate egg growth, this risk goes up even more.
• You're at higher risk to develop gestational diabetes.
• High blood pressure is common in women over 40 when they become pregnant.

You can reduce your risk of a complicated pregnancy if you stay active during the pregnancy, eat a well-balanced diet, and stay away from harmful substances. If you feel that something is not right, call your OB/GYN for an appointment. It is always better to be safe and ask too many questions when you are an older mother carrying a child. Understand that too much information can overwhelm you, and listen to your doctor, perhaps one from Bhupathy Vellore R MD-Women's Medical Group, when you have concerns.

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