Later Childbearing Today, more and more couples are starting families later in life. Most women over age 35 have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. There is no set age that is unsafe for women to become pregnant. Fertility Medical advances have opened the door for women to have safer pregnancies in their 30s and 40s. Even so, some questions arise for these women. They may have concerns about whether their age will affect their ability to become pregnant, their health and the health of their baby. There is no precise age at which you become less fertile. One reason that women may become less fertile is that ovulation, the release of an egg from one of the ovaries, occurs less often as a woman ages. If you are in your mid-30s or older and are concerned about your fertility, or if you have not conceived after six months of having sex without any form of birth control, you may want to talk with your doctor or nurse-midwife. Health Problems Certain medical and obstetric problems occur more often as women age. Some women have conditions — such as high blood pressure or diabetes — that are present before pregnancy. About 10 percent of women over 35 have high blood pressure. Women aged 35 and over also are more likely to have diabetes or to develop gestational (during pregnancy) diabetes. Miscarriage — loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks — occurs in about 15 percent to 20 percent of all pregnancies. It is more common in older women. Stillbirth — delivery of a baby that has died before birth — occurs more often in women over age 35 than in women aged 20 to 35. Older women also are more likely to have infants of low birthweight (weighing less than 5 1/2 pounds). Cesarean delivery also is slightly more common for women having their first child after age 35. Being Prepared Being prepared for pregnancy is the best way for couples of all ages to improve their chances of having a baby. Preconception and Prenatal Care Good health care before you become pregnant — sometimes called preconception care — will help you throughout your pregnancy. Early and regular prenatal care #151; care before the baby is born — may increase a woman's chances of having a healthy baby. Genetic Counseling Genetic counseling is advised for women who will be 35 or older when their baby is due, couples who have already had a child with a birth defect, and couples with a family history of genetic problems, birth defects, or mental retardation. Testing A number of tests can help detect disorders before, during and after pregnancy. Advances in medicine have made having a child safer. Testing for genetic problems is offered to women who will be 35 or older when their baby is due. You will want to discuss with your doctor or nurse-midwife the pros and cons of having these tests done: · Amniocentesis · Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) Personal Issues A woman having her first child in her mid-30s or older may be faced with issues besides her health and that of her child. She may be used to having control of her life. It may take longer to become pregnant than she thought. On the other hand, an older woman may feel sure that she is ready to have a child. Finally … Most women have healthy pregnancies and normal babies. Many older women show no greater signs of problems than younger women. This excerpt from ACOG's Patient Education Pamphlet is provided for your information. It is not medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for visiting your doctor. If you need medical care, have any questions please contact your obstetrician-gynecologist or nurse-midwife.