1. PREGNANCY AFTER 35

There are many different reasons that women wait until their late 30’s to get pregnant. These days, women are spending much of their twenties and early thirties developing their careers, furthering their education, and building relationships. Women are usually more financially secure in their thirties, and might be more emotionally ready to have a baby once they hit their mid-thirties. While there are many benefits to waiting until 35 or after to get pregnant, there are some concerns that come along with pregnancy at this age.

2. HARDER TO DO

Getting pregnant is sometimes harder to do when you are in your mid-thirties. This is because, as we all know, women are born with a set number of eggs, and by the time they hit 35, a woman’s egg supply might be beginning to run low. It is also possible that the eggs that a woman has left by the time she hits 35 might not always be the best quality eggs. This is because a woman’s body will use up the best quality eggs first, leaving behind the eggs that can cause problems sometimes. Once women hit age 35, they might even begin to have cycles where they don’t release an egg at all, which can make it take much longer to get pregnant than it would in a woman’s early twenties.

3. PROBLEMS WITH PREGNANCY AFTER 35

Due to the fact that the eggs around age 35 are often not of the highest quality, there is a greater chance of having a baby with a birth defect or a chromosomal abnormality. For example, for women over 35, the chance of having a baby with Down Syndrome is 1 in 378. This is compared to a risk of 1 in 1250 for women age 25.

Likewise, women aged 35-45 have around a 25-30% chance of miscarrying, compared to around a 12% chance for women aged 25.Prenatal care is so important when you get pregnant after age 35, since there can be problems with both baby and mom at this age. Women who get pregnant after 35 are also more likely to have pregnancy related problems like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, and more.

4. WHAT TO KNOW

If you are interested in getting pregnant after 35, it is important to see your doctor before you try to conceive. Your doctor can help you figure out exactly what to do to improve your chances of getting pregnant, including figuring out when you ovulate, getting plenty of exercise, and improving your diet. For women who are older than 35 and who are actively trying to conceive, you should only wait six months before seeking fertility help if you are unable to conceive naturally.