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Getting Pregnant After 40: What You Need to Know

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Thanks to the significant improvements in obstetrics and labor and delivery, more and more women are choosing to have children later on in life. What does this mean for mamas who want to have a baby after their 40th birthday? Cherokee Women’s Health takes a look at what you need to know if you’re considering waiting to have children.

How Healthy are You?

The chance of becoming pregnant during any one month drops to only 5 percent after age 40 (down from about 20 percent on average in your 20’s). Being able to conceive without the use of fertility drugs in your 40’s depends on a variety of factors, including your level of fitness, daily habits (think smoking, drinking, and diet), and whether this is your first baby. Pregnancy can take a toll on a woman’s body at any age, and making sure you’re the healthiest you can be will give your baby a healthy start.

What are the Risks of Getting Pregnant After 40?

While being an older mom can have advantages such as financial stability and more life experience, there are more risks associated with pregnancies later in life. These include:

  • Birth defects – Older women are more likely to have a baby with a chromosome disorder such as Down syndrome. By age 45, the chances are 1 in 30, up from 1 in 1,250 at age 25.
  • High blood pressure and diabetes – Diabetes and high blood pressure are more prevalent in women who become pregnant later in life.
  • Placenta problems – Placenta previa, where the placenta covers all or part of your cervix, is more common in pregnancies in women over 40. Placenta previa can cause severe bleeding before or during delivery.
  • Premature birth and low birth weight – Women who have children later in life are at risk for premature birth (babies born before 37 weeks) or having babies weighing less than 5.5 lbs.
  • Higher risk of miscarriage – As you age, your risk of miscarriage goes up. By age 45, your chance is 80%.

Make an Appointment Today

Many of these risks can be avoided with excellent prenatal care. Talking to your doctor about your risks and concerns is your first step in determining whether having a baby after 40 is the right decision for you. If you’re considering adding to your family a little later on and have questions about conception, pregnancy, and delivering a healthy baby, don’t hesitate to contact us to make an appointment with one of our healthcare specialists or simply request an appointment online.

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