i am 38 is it to late to have a baby and what really are the risk.?

Answer 1

No its not too late

Answer 2

Physically as long as you are well and under the care of a good Dr you should be OK, speak openly and frankly about the problems associated with pregnancy at this age. The fact remains that having a child later in life can mean that they are born with a disability/ or disabilities than having a baby when you're younger be honest ask yourself 'can I cope with a baby who will have a disability'. Emotionally its a big upheaval having a baby are you ready for it OR have you been without children so long that you don't have the patience, remember its a 24/7 job and there is no relief for the tiredness and exhaustion that a child can bring a baby isn't a puppy that can be given another home if it doesn't suit your lifestyle. If your friends are your age and also childless then they are likely to discard your friendship as a baby could be perceived as an interruption to their childless life style. Are you able to cope if you don't fall pregnancy naturally, be very clear about your desire to have a child is it because you think you should or because you really want to....my mother was 33 when she had me and was more like a grandmother than a mother always tired unable to play or keep up with myself or my younger sibling however I know other "older" mothers who find having a baby keeps them young or gives them a new boost to life.

Answer 3

the medical world says that 35 and older is officially elderly maternal in age. This of course all depends on your health before and during pregnancy. your doctor may want to see you more often even for the slightest problem. you are more likely to develop pre-eclamsia. And there are other problems the baby may have like down syndrome. But again these are all statistics and depend on the genetics and the health of the mother. There are also risks that are associated with teens under 16. This is just what doctors have documented. talk to your primary doctor though. He/she will gave you a good idea of your risks and may be able to get some tests done for genetic risks.

I hope that you are successful in having a healthy and happy family. good luck

mother of 2 with one on the way. 11 years medical experience

Answer 4

I would definitely see a Doctor for these answes. Im sure 90% of the people here are under 38 and dont have a clue about the risks of having a baby at that age.

Answer 5

My mom starting having kids at age 16 (Young i know) and she stopped at age 38. In all my mom had seven kids. We are all healthy.
My mom had my little brother when she was 38 and she had no problems at all.

What effect does age have on pregnancy?

Now an older mother usually means a woman who has chosen to start her family later and is often fit, and well nourished. In the past an older mother often meant a woman who already had a large family and was having her fifth, sixth or possibly seventh baby. Having many pregnancies often led to complications.

It is unfortunately true that a woman has had more chance to develop medical disorders such as diabetes, hypertensive disorders or fibroids, which can affect pregnancy and birth, simply by being older. The incidence of pre-existing conditions rises from 5.5 per cent in the under 29 age group, to 11.8 per cent in the over 35s.

Studies on the effect of age on childbirth also report an increase in the frequency of pregnancy complications such as bleeding in the third trimester, pregnancy-induced diabetes, high blood pressure, and low lying placenta. The incidence of pregnancy complications rises from 10.43 per cent for women aged 20-29, to 19.29% for women aged between 35 and 39 years.

Your maternity care may be influenced simply by the fact that you are an 'elderly primigravida' or an 'elderly multip'. Even fit and healthy women over the age of 35 have more antenatal tests and more ultrasound scans, and more women of that age undergo an amniocentesis. They are also more likely to be under consultant care. Some experts think this is as much a reflection of the anxieties of the medical carers, as the real needs of you and your baby - so take a step back and ask a few questions if you want a more low-key approach.

Answer 6

I do not think you are too old, not like if you were in your 40's. The older the eggs are, then you might have some things, but I think they can tell and let you know. I wouldn't worry about it, just go ahead and have one now, before it gets too late. Things can go wrong at any age. My mother was close to 40 yrs old when she had my brother. I am 18 yrs older than he is, and my son is two yrs. younger than my baby brother. This was not her first baby, however. Anyway, he turned out fine. My son had 7 children and my brother had 3 sons, so they had 10 together, guess they did ok in that dept.

Answer 7

Hello Hun
I dont belive it is ever too late to have a child. However, there are risks involved. Your chance of having a mentaly challenged/down syndrome baby are increased.
Best to chat to your Gynae so he/she can tell you exactly what you are in for. As long as you know what the risks are....
You could very well have a perfectly normal happy and healthy child! There is no greater blessing hun - youre never too old no matter what the outcome xx

Answer 8

There are plenty of risks. The first to pop into my head is that the older you are, the more likely (but not a definate possiblity) that your child will be born with disorders such as Down's Syndrome. Ask your Dr. for more about the risks. Good luck

Answer 9

I am sure if you are 38 you don't need to look on the friggin internet to find out the answers to questions like this. Make yourself an appointment with a doctor. Or would you like some stranger to do that for you?

Answer 10

I had my last baby at 37 ,It was not my first baby tho ,I had 4 before this one ,but it was fine I had gestational diabetes but I am over weight .The chances of havering a downs baby are greater but not that much, see a doctor .have the right tests and be healthy .

Answer 11

I'm certain an ob/gyn would be more qualified to answer, however, my exwife had a baby at 38... She did ok, the baby is ok...