$Unique_ID{BRK00853}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Will Age Past 35 Present Any Special Problems for Pregnancy?}
$Subject{35 complications Pregnancy Childbirth problems placenta bleeding
diabetes Down's syndrome baby babies Genetic counseling Cesarean prenatal care
age aging biological clock}
$Volume{K-0,T-0}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Will Age Past 35 Present Any Special Problems for Pregnancy?


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QUESTION:  My clock is ticking and I am past 35 now, and still looking forward
to my first child.  Will my age present any special problems for me?

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ANSWER:  Are you pregnant?  If you are, get good obstetrical care now and your
chances of producing a healthy baby are excellent.  It is true that you are at
increased risk for a number of complications, but with good care and
counseling, you and your baby will do best.
     What kinds of problems does the older mother have?  She may have problems
with the placenta, bleeding and diabetes.  More babies with Down's syndrome
are born to older women (the incidence is one Down's baby in 1,923 for
20-year-old mothers and one in 225 for 37-year-old mothers).  Genetic
counseling can help parents deal with this and other problems.  Older mothers
are also more likely to have their babies by Cesarean section.
     If you are not yet pregnant, it may take you a bit longer to become
pregnant than it would have taken you ten years ago.  A baby girl is born with
all her ovum (eggs) in place.  If she conceives as a young woman, those eggs
are healthier.  If she waits several years to become pregnant, a higher
percentage of those eggs are defective and may not be fertilized or may grow
into babies with problems.
     You're not alone in having your first baby at "past 35."  The U.S.
Census Bureau tells us the number of births to women aged 35-44 will rise 46%
by 1990.  Good prenatal care, genetic counseling and delivery in a center with
a capable newborn intensive care unit are all precautions the older mother is
wise to take.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.