Does having baby for women below the age of 30 is better than having it on older age?

Question

My girlfriend mother told her that it is better for women to bear children before the age of 30. Is there any medical claim to back this up?

Answer 1

Question: What are the risks of having a baby if I'm 35 or older?

Answer: The main concern you face as you age is that your risk of conceiving a baby with a chromosomal problem goes up every year. For example, the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome rises from about 1 in 760 at age 30 to 1 in 300 at age 35, 1 in 80 at age 40.

If you'll be 35 or older on your due date, you'll be offered genetic counseling. A genetic counselor can help you understand your particular risks and help you decide whether to have genetic testing to screen for or diagnose chromosomal problems or other birth defects. Keep in mind that every woman has a chance of having a baby with problems, no matter what her age.

Other than that, if your weight is normal and you have no medical disorders, your risk of complications during the pregnancy is probably similar to that of younger women who are also in good health. That said, the older you are when you get pregnant, the more likely you are to have a chronic disease, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, that may be undiagnosed and can affect your pregnancy. You're also at higher risk of developing certain complications during pregnancy such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, placental abruption (in which the placenta prematurely separates from the uterine wall), and placenta previa (in which the placenta lies low in the uterus, partly or completely covering the cervix).

What's more, research shows that your chances of having a low-birthweight baby (less than 5 1/2 pounds) or a premature delivery increase with age. Some studies show that older women are more likely to need pitocin during labor, and most studies show a significantly higher rate of delivery by cesarean section.

Finally, researchers have found a higher risk of stillbirth and maternal death in women who give birth at 35 or older (though the overall number of stillbirths and women who die in childbirth each year has dropped significantly in the United States in the last few decades). The increased risk of these problems is largely due to underlying medical problems more common in older women. Proper diagnosis and treatment will help reduce the risks for both you and your baby.

The biggest obstacle for women age 35 or older may be getting pregnant in the first place. Fertility rates begin to decline gradually at age 30, more so at 35, and markedly at age 40. Women 45 and older rarely get pregnant without some kind of fertility treatment. Even with fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization, women have more difficulty getting pregnant as they age. They also have more trouble staying pregnant: The rates of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy go up substantially with age.

On the other hand, more women are having babies later in life in the United States than ever before. In the year 2000, the rate of birth among women 35 to 39 years old was up 30 percent from 1990. In women ages 40 to 45, the increase was 47 percent, and for those ages 45 to 49, the rate was an astounding 190 percent higher.

If you're considering getting pregnant, see your doctor or midwife for a thorough examination. She'll take a detailed medical and family history of both prospective parents to identify conditions that might affect your pregnancy or your chances of getting pregnant. You can manage many of the risks of pregnancy at 35 or older by seeing your doctor or midwife regularly for good prenatal care.

Editor's note: Don't be surprised if you notice differing statistics for the chances that a pregnant woman of a certain age is carrying a baby with Down syndrome.

For one thing, many of these babies are miscarried along the way, so the odds change as pregnancy progresses. For example, a 35-year-old woman has a 1 in 250 chance of carrying a baby with Down syndrome at 12 weeks gestation. But the odds go down to 1 in 300 at 20 weeks — which is about when you might have amniocentesis — and to 1 in 356 at 40 weeks.

Answer 2

22 is better than 24 which is better than 27 which is better than 30 which is better than 35.

Does that mean we should all have babies young because it's best? Of course not. And what 30 year old feels too old to have a baby? People age faster after they've had children. It's just a plain old medical fact. So a woman having her 5th child at 30 and thinking it's difficult won't be in the same boat as a 30 year old having her first. Older parents also tend to have better finances and are statistically better educated. Those things are good for a child. And with the risk of a 30 year old giving birth to a child with birth defects being so small, I ask you this... what's a good reason NOT to have a baby in one's 30s?

Answer 3

Actually the age is usually 35 and yes. After the age of 35 your run higher risks for MANY things. It can be as serious as Downs Syndrom in the child, or as slight as some high blood pressure during pregnancy. I do not know all of the risks, we briefly touched on it during my childbirth education class, but because everyone was under 35, we didn't get real deep into it. I know their are books on it and their are MANY studies on it. I know women over 35 have more testing done, and tons of things are at higher risk. Oh, I know that having a child with diabeates is higher, my OB and I discussed it because I was worried because both of my parents are diabetics. It did turn out true, a good friend of our family found out her daughter was diabetic about 1 year ago and she was 36 when she had her.

Anyways, there are risks, but I don't think I would let it stop me from having kids. Unless you are married and everything and just don't want kids until then. I would consider a few years earlier. Check online and different pregnancy websites. I know some have specific pages for pregnant women over 35. Good Luck either way!

Answer 4

Well, I had my first 3 at age 21, 23 and 27. Now Im pregnant with my 4th and Its by far the worst and hardest pregnancy Ive had so far. I wouldnt do it again. My friend also just had hers at age 30 and hers was harder than when she was in her 20's. After age 35 there is more risks of having a baby with certain problems.

Answer 5

Its better for the body. At 30 the skin is more elastic than at 40 and the entire body can bounce back faster. That is why weight loss is so much harder after the 30's, along with droopy skin. The eggs are fresher at 30 than 40+. The person has more energy and can pull sleepless nights easier. That doesn't mean all women should stop at 30. It just means that it takes a bigger toll on the body.

Answer 6

Think about this: assume you go out and have your fulfilling career. You have made your mark on the world as a modern-day capable, equal female. You have spent 20 years working 12-14 hour days and you have saved the world. There is only one thing left- giving new life. So you are 42 and bring a bundle of joy into your life.

When this bundle of joy is in high school, raising hell like most bundle of joys do in high school, you will be 59 or 60. Do you really want to deal with these kinds of issues when your friends in the same age group have retired or are close to it and are sailing off on trips and cruises?

Answer 7

Yes.

Women over 30 take higher risks of their babies born with down syndrome.. and other birth defects.

Not to mention.. a woman over 30 having children isn't going to have the same energy level as a younger mom would have..

Answer 8

That's a tricky question....as women get older the risks for birth defects, or Downs Syndrome are greater, but more and more women are waiting until later to have babies. Medical advances have made it easier and less risky for older women to conceive and give birth. It's really a personal choice.

Answer 9

Nowadays they are saying there is less risk of you get pregnant before 35 years old. Although I know several women who have had completely normal pregnancies and babies over the age of 35.

Answer 10

The most alarming factor is accountable folks select to position off having kids normally eternally as there is not any 'right time' for them yet the feckless and unintelligent have kids without a concept who're then cared for on welfare. This perpetuates poverty and benefit dependency.