I have a friend 38years old is it she and her husband are planning a baby till what age is it fine to have a?

Question

uptill what age a woman can have baby ,,, is it fine for the couple and the baby also;;; please let me know so i can advise her because in my opinion its late to have a baby at this age pls help

Answer 1

She is not to old to have a baby! Women can have babies until menopause. Are you saying you know better than God?

Answer 2

I'm sure plenty of older women will say that it's ok to have a baby, up until they hit menopause.

But, seriously - there are risks. A woman at the age of 38 has a severe chance of having a child with Down Syndrome, or any other chromosomal defect. Although every mother at every age has this chance, the chances rise to severe levels after a mother turns 35. And, due to the wonderful advancement of modern medicine - these children can live well into their 30's, 40's, and some even 50's.

The bigger problem is, is that the parents aren't around that long. Nor are they capable of handling such a feat of being a parent in the later stages of their lives. Heart attack & stroke are still the #1 killers in America. People are going into nursing homes in their 70's & 80's due to these & other aging diseases. Alzheimers can come about in a person as early as their 40's & 50's, although the majority that do get it - get it around the age of 65 or so.

The worst case scenario - is that a mother gives birth to a child with DS or any other chromosomal defect, and then suffers an aging disease 25 years later. The child is then placed into a home, because other family members are either too old or too incapable of handling such a burden.

The other case scenario, is that the child is born healthy. However, the parents will still not be around for the majority of their lives, because none of us will be around forever.

I personally think over the age of 35 is pushing it. If doctors didn't think so, an amnio testing for genetic defects wouldn't be such a normal procedure for pregnant women this age.

Answer 3

I had my daughter last December, aged 37 (me, not her LOL). I had no problems whatsoever with the pregnancy, not even morning sickness. What I did do, however, is go for a Down Syndrome test at 11-12 weeks (involves a blood test from the mum and an ultrasound examination of the baby). They are able to tell whether you are at risk of having a Down Syndrome baby, and it is better than waiting until 16 weeks when they would suggest amniocetisis (sticking a needle through your stomach). If your friend is healthy and young at heart she should go for it. She may not even get pregnant, but will regret it if she doesn't try. I know you care for your friend, so just be supportive, your opinion really doesn't matter as it is her body, her life and hopefully her baby. You can offer to babysit for her later on!!

Answer 4

Until menopause hits, it's never "too" late, but in this case it's "rather" late...

The female body is best suited to the task of childbirth between the ages of 18 and 29. It's just the way we were made. Pregnancies go most smoothly in this age range, and the risks of birth defects and complications are at their lowest. Younger women are also endowed with more stamina, the better to keep up with a child.

But older mothers have the advantages of greater wisdom, patience and financial stability, so who's to say? And let's not forget that medicine has gotten rather good nowadays!

No, if this couple wants their baby, they are still within childbearing age and completely within their right to claim the privilege of parenthood. Hopefully they are aware of the risk factors and are consulting with their doctor to ensure a successful experience. I myself would have started earlier as mother nature usually prefers, but that's just me.

Answer 5

Some women usually cant get pregnant until later in age. I know a woman who tired while she was in her twenties and could not get pregnant. Then in her late 30's her body went through a change, (not to be confused with the change) and she finally ended up pregnant. Other families tend to wait a bit longer for several other reasons, but I know around 35, most doctors usually put women on bed rest. I have heard it's harder on the body giving birth past the 20's. So tell her Good luck and hope the have a very healthy baby.

Answer 6

I know a woman who was over 40 before she conceived naturally. She wasn't using birth control, either; she wanted kids. Then she had two healthy daughters. While it's true that the chances of having a child with Down's syndrome goes up with age, the rule is that healthy children are born to healthy mothers. I've never heard an opinion as extreme as yours--that as long as a woman is healthy and ovulating there's some reason she shouldn't have children. I don't know where you got this attitude from, but I'd advise you to rethink your position.

Answer 7

Technically, she does fall into a higher risk pregnancy because of her age; however, that risk is minimal. If I was you, I would advise her to consult her doctor before she conceives about the risks that she might encounter. However, I do not think that many doctors in this day and age would advise her against getting pregnant solely on the basis of her age. I know that when I was pregnant in the 80's... most doctors advised against getting pregnant after the age of 34. However, that opinion has changed with medical advances... and women delaying childbirth until later in life. The following link has some good information about pregnancies later in life:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8173350/

Answer 8

38 is not too late, but she must hurry, because after 40 I'd say it's late. and she must be very careful during pregnancy and have many tests and especially an amnio, to check if the baby is fine. I have a friend who is 38 and is pregnant now and she had an amnio and the babies(!) are fine. And many of my friends had babies around 36-37. But there is a higher risk for problems of the baby, so tests are needed.

Answer 9

She is considered to be of advanced maternal age!! This should not stop her from being pregnant it just means she is considered to be at risk for pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetic, and at risk of the baby being born with downsyndrome the same risk as anyother woman just risk is a little higher with every year she ages. Do not discourage her but support her. I have seen women giving birth to healthy babies at the age of 48, and have seen women giving birth to babies with abnomalities at the age of 23 with no other risk factors.

Answer 10

unless they want to adopt i suggest they have their baby as soon as possible. 38 in my opinion is a bit too old. I had my daughter at that age and it was a difficult pregnancy.
I don't have the energy i had when i was younger. Raising a child is a hard job. Thankfully my child, who is ten yrs old now, is healthy physically and mentally. She is a blessing.

Answer 11

My mom had a baby when she was 43 with no major problems. My little sister is as healthy as any other kid. If she wanted your opinion, she would have asked. If she didn't, keep your mouth shut and support her in her decision.