Is it dangerous for my wife to conceive after 40?

Question

My wife and I are thinking of having a second child, what are the possible complication associated with pregnancy above 40 years old?

Answer 1

There are still some risks that increase with age related to pregnancy. The most obvious is the increase in risk of chromosome problems like Down syndrome.
Other risks depend on her health. Some studies have indicated an increased risk for growth problems, preterm labor, preeclampsia, high blood pressure & diabetes. It is hard to factor out the effects of age alone from the increased chances of those diseases becoming evident as we go through life, which would then make the pregnancy higher risk just on the basis of any disease she might have. So, if she is in good health, the risks appear to be minimally elevated over normal. She'd still be watched a little more closely for problems, but essentially she would have normal care unless something showed up on her routine visits.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU BOTH! :)

Answer 2

I have talked with my midwife about some of the reasons people should not reproduce after a certain age, I myselft would not have another child after 40 simply because by the time they hit high school you cannot go out and enjoy life with them the way you could if you had them earlier. I do know that women above 40 are at higher risk for premature babies, breathing problems, mental disorders, and autism. Please read up on this before making any rash decisions. It's for the good of your wife, and the unborn child.

Answer 3

Now i don't know if this is true or not but i have been told the older the women is when she gets pregnant the higher the chances the child will be born with down syndrome but i have known of many women over 40 That have had children and they are healthy but this question should be asked to your wife's doctor each woman is different God Bless you and your Family.

Answer 4

You have the same chances of having a healthy baby as a 20 year old does. However it will depend on how healthy your wife is and how healthy her life has been. When a woman is born she is born with all the amount of eggs that she will have all her life therefore her eggs are as old as she is, there is when there can be something wrong geneticly speaking, but if your life is healthy then her eggs are healthy too and if you already have a healthy child then chances are you guys would have a healthy baby, however she is already 40 and she might struggle when pregnant but if she rests a lot and takes it easy she should be just fine!

Answer 5

After age 40, your risks do indeed go up. Risk for multiple births, preeclampsia, hypertension, fetal growth restriction, diabetes and preterm labor all increase with age. Of course, you may be just the couple who beat the odds -- and much also depends on your emotional resiliency. It can be very helpful to have a loving husband and friends to help support you.

I would read that. Another thing is you have to think about the child too! I promise that I am not trying to be mean or anything but my mother adopted me when she was 33, so by the time I was 13 and wanting to do cool things, ride roller coasters with mom and stuff like that, she couldn't do it, she was 46! Her health had deteriorated. All of my friends parents could do things like that with them, but my mom couldn't. My mother passed when I was 19, she was 52. And that was rough. So really think about the child before doing that. And like I said, I am not trying to be mean or harsh or anything like that, I am just speaking from experience and my mother was 7 years younger that your wife.

Answer 6

There are no complications after having child after the age of 40 of woman. To coneive a pregnancy is a natural process of having child. Forty years of woman is a fit woman for child birth. There is no harm. I assure you if your wife is healthy there will be no complications and your child will also be healthy and fit for life to come.

Answer 7

Here is some information that might help:

Childbearing at Older Ages: Getting Pregnant
http://drspock.com/article/0,1510,4432+Pregnancy+PregPre+cbx_repro,00.html

Childbearing at Older Ages: Considerations Once You are Pregnant
http://drspock.com/article/0,1510,4426,00.html

Pregnancy after 35: Healthy moms, healthy babies
http://health.yahoo.com/topic/pregnancy/baby/article/mayoclinic/687C7366-75AB-4C54-892A1626CC35DB9B

Is It OK To Get Pregnant If I Am Over 40?
http://health.yahoo.com/topic/pregnancy/getpregnant/article/noahnet/Pregnancy_BBY_over_40

- Rachel

Answer 8

Pregnancy after the age of 35 is associated with a number of risks for both you and your baby. Chances of premature birth, low birth weight and still birth all increase after 35. Your baby also has a greater chance of being born in a breech position or via cesarean section. After 40, dangers to you and your baby increase again. You are at increased risk for developing bone loss or osteoporosis. There is also a greater risk of your baby developing gestational diabetes or chromosome abnormalities (downs syndrom etc). Additionally, chances of spontaneous abortion increase.

Answer 9

There are many risks to both the baby and the mother and only you can decided for yourself if it is worth them. The risks of pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes (both managable with medical intervention) are higher in a woman over 34 as are the risks of Down's Syndrome. Talk it over with your wife and your doctor and decide for your self.

Answer 10

yes she is at high risks to have a baby at that age doctor will tell u at the age of 35 to 40 u are at very high risks