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Pregnancy After 35: What You Should Know About Geriatric Pregnancy
Women are often told their fertility ‘falls off a cliff’ at 35, but does this statement hold water?
This statement is a myth; fertility declines naturally and gradually after 35, not at a sharp cutoff point.
Today, pregnancy after 35 is becoming more common, and honestly, many Singaporean women delay motherhood due to huge responsibilities or dreams that are even bigger, and that’s completely okay. You have every right to the decision of when to get pregnant. However, your body or fertility does not understand these external factors. They work according to age and the biological clock.
A pregnancy at 35 or older is known as a geriatric pregnancy or advanced maternal age pregnancy and may carry certain risks, such as miscarriage, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, or a higher chance of a C-section. This can be mainly due to declining egg quality and a higher chance of existing health conditions.
Cryoviva Singapore (a cord blood bank) says if you’re planning a pregnancy after 35, stay in close touch with your doctor. This can make a huge difference for a healthy, successful pregnancy journey.
Why Pregnancy After 35 Can Be Risky
The pregnancy after 35 can be risky because of the following factors:
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Decrease in Quantity & Quality of Eggs
When a baby girl is born, there are about one million eggs in her tiny ovaries, but by the time she reaches puberty, only about 300,000 eggs remain, and only 300-400 will mature and be released in ovulation during the reproductive years.
After 35, the number and the quality of eggs in the ovaries decline faster, increasing the difficulty in conceiving and raising the risk of genetic abnormalities in the baby.
Also Read: What Is a Cryptic Pregnancy? Causes, Signs & Risk
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Higher Rate of Miscarriage
There can be a higher risk of miscarriage with age, reaching about 20% (1 in 5 people) by age 35 because of egg quality and chromosomal issues.
The risk keeps increasing as a woman’s age advances:
- 40 years old: 40% chance (or 4 in 10 women)
- 45 years old: 80% chance (or 8 in 10 women)
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Higher Rate Complications in Advanced Maternal Age Pregnancy
Geriatric pregnancy may be more risky due to conditions such as high blood pressure (preeclampsia), gestational diabetes, chromosome problems (1 in 100 for a woman who conceives at age 40), and pregnancy-induced hypertension. This can affect both the mother and the fetus.
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Higher Chances of Labor & Delivery Problems
There is a higher chance of labor-related issues requiring cesarean delivery and complications such as preterm birth (around 4.9 times greater for mothers over 35) or low birth weight in babies born in a geriatric pregnancy.
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More Hormonal Fluctuations
Advanced maternal age is linked to endocrine system (creates and releases hormones) disturbances. Levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone may decrease with age, making it difficult for the womb (uterus) to support pregnancy and implantation.
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Changes in the Uterine & Placental Layer
Older age may open the door for fibroids or polyps and decreased blood flow to the uterine lining. This can interfere with implantation and healthy fetal growth.
One of the largest studies on this topic found that, of 2,820 Danish women who had an intimate encounter at least twice a week, 84% of those aged 25-29, 88% of those aged 30-34, and 73% of those aged 35-40 conceived within 12 period cycles.
Note: Every woman is different; hence, their body. Not all of you will face similar issues. Consult your doctor for the right diagnosis and personalized care.
Also Read: Ectopic Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Explained
How do I Prepare My Body for Pregnancy at 35?
You know the risks of geriatric pregnancy by now; let’s explore how to manage it. Consider following these tips for a healthy pregnancy after 35:
- Go for a pre-pregnancy checkup to rule out any health issues and get the right care.
- Start prescribed prenatal vitamins such as folic acid and other vitamins to support your baby’s health and reduce associated risks
- Eat a balanced diet to increase egg quality.
- Stay active to support your body in managing weight and hormones and reduce stress.
- Stop smoking and avoid alcohol to prevent damage to your eggs.
- Track your ovulation pattern to know the best time to try for a baby.
- Managing chronic health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure during a pregnancy.
- Consult for genetic counseling to understand the risk, and they can recommend prenatal tests to plan for a healthy pregnancy.
Testing may include:
- Blood tests
- Ultrasound
- Chorionic villus sampling (CVS, to check tissues around the baby)
- Amniocentesis (to check amniotic fluid)
- Cell-free fetal DNA (to check chromosome problems)
Conclusion
In today’s world, where there are too many uncertain economic and environmental stresses, deciding when to get pregnant is your choice. However, you must understand your body’s fertility clock and hormonal functions, as women have a complex system that gradually changes with age. Take out some time to check on fertility health so that the journey ahead can be less stressful and you can be more confident to start this new chapter.
FAQ's
No, this age is not too old to get pregnant; many healthy babies are born to mothers over 35. However, it might take longer to get pregnant; pregnancies at this age are considered "advanced maternal age" or "geriatric pregnancy" and may have slightly higher risks, needing close medical attention and care.
Egg quality and quantity start to decline gradually and naturally after 35, but many healthy pregnancies still happen naturally with proper care. A large study discovered that women trying for a baby found the chance of pregnancy after 12 months was 87% for women aged 30-31. This dropped to 76% at age 36-37, and 54% at age 40-41.
The woman's ability to get pregnant declines naturally but gradually from 35 to 45. The miscarriage risk is about 20% and by age 45, the chance is 80%. At 40, they are three times more likely to have placenta problems than a woman in her 20s.
