Pregnancy Risks for Older Women

Pregnancy risks get higher with age and women who are older than 35 years experience more troubles during their pregnancy.

Pregnancy and health risks for women at forty

It is much harder for middle-aged women to get pregnant because fertility decreases with age and the organism gradually loses its vitality, which also includes the ovaries. Pregnancy in the late thirties increases the possibility of having twins. The egg quality reduces with age and the body responds by releasing more eggs at single ovulation. Tiredness, which is a normal factor in every woman's life, is greater during pregnancy in later years. But that is not the only problem middle aged women are faced with. Read about the common pregnancy risks below.

1. Pregnancy risk: Spontaneous abortion

The danger of miscarriage or a stillborn baby is duplicated with women at forty compared to younger women, but the doctors don't know the reason for it.

2. Pregnancy risk: Placenta previa 

Placenta previa is an obstetric complication in which the placenta is attached to the uterine wall close to or covering the cervix. Because the placenta is inhibiting the movements of the baby, mild or even strong bleeding can occur. In such case the baby is usually born with Cesarean section.

3. Pregnancy risk: Premature birth and decreased weight of a baby

Smoking is one of the key reasons for premature birth and pregnant women who smoke greatly increase the possibility of premature birth.

4. Pregnancy risk: Cesarean section

There is a higher possibility of delivering the baby with Cesarean section for women who are over 35 years old.

5. Pregnancy risk: Down syndrome

The frequency of Down syndrome increases with years. With 20-year old women it occurs with one child out of 10.000, while with women at forty the possibility increases to one child out of 100. Even though the syndrome cannot be prevented, it can be discovered with regular medical check-ups during pregnancy.

6. Pregnancy risk: Hypertension

Middle-aged pregnant women can suffer from diabetes, cardiovascular diseases or hypertension. 

Pregnancy brings changes into a relationship

Over the years the relationship between partners becomes more mature. It is very common for middle-aged parents to become too protective of their children because they are more aware of all the dangers surrounding them from their own experiences. For women at forty, a motherhood can be a pleasant change. Another advantage is that the job and finances are secured and the parents can put all their energy into raising the baby, while young parents face money problems more often. But that's also the reason why older parents spend too much energy, time and attention on their baby.

Women who decide for pregnancy at forty cannot control the pregnancy risk factors. All they can do is eat healthy, exercise a lot and follow the doctor's orders.