what are the risks of being a parent after 40?

Answer 1

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.

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).
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.

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.
You need to 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.
Also, 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

Health care providers have traditionally viewed any woman over the age of 35, especially having her first pregnancy, as a high risk patient. Age alone does not predict risk, but several lifestyle factors, such as family history, socioeconomics, and demographics, have major impacts on the well-being of the mother and infant. The number and spacing of previous pregnancies, genetics of the parents, nutritional status, and prenatal care of the mother also play an important role in the pregnancies of older women. It is imperative, for all of these reasons, that benefits and risks for the mother and the baby be considered.

Some of the more common chronic diseases that may be present in women over 35, and which may affect a pregnancy, are arthritis, hypertension, and diabetes. These can all be monitored, and technology helps in detecting and treating these diseases to assure a safe pregnancy. The risk that cannot be overcome by a healthy lifestyle is a chromosomal abnormality. It is not understood completely, but statistically, the genetic material within the egg is at a greater risk of being defective as the woman ages. The absence or addition of a chromosome can lead to Down syndrome.

Answer 3

My mom had my youngest sister at 40 she was labeled a high risk pregnancy because of the risk of down syndrome. There are many tests they can do besides the amnio that can tell an idea of how much a risk you are. At every visit they did ultrasounds and kept her up to date on everything. My sister is fine! No down syndrome no nothing!

Answer 4

Down syndrome is a main risk that will affect your when chooing to be a parent after 40 also more complications throughout pregnancy and labor.

Answer 5

Well, after 40 you have to think that your kids are growing up in a completely different world than you did. When he or she is 20, you'll be over 60 and probably won't be able to relate as well to their problems. Being pregnant after 40 your eggs are starting to degenerate so the chances of having a child with a disability is higher and since you'll be older, if your child outlives you, who will be there to care for a disabled adult?

Answer 6

Giving birth to a new life is indeed a blessing which almost every woman would wish to have. How to get pregnant naturally https://tr.im/Zh3J6
Enjoying the feeling of motherhood and raising a family would surely be a couple’s dream. Some get it naturally, while for some others things don’t seem to work as they desire. These reasons which stop a women from conceiving can be due to either physical reasons or truly physiological.

Answer 7

Some of the answers you are getting are true. Down syndrome you are at higher risk for but alot of woman in their forties have very healthy happy pregnancies and children. The statistics aren't as bad as they sound. Look them up online. Go for it!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

I'm 41 and pregnant, and am just fine.
my doctor is with me all the way, and has delivered several babies to 40+ yr old women.
My mom was over 40 when she had me, and we were absolutely as close, if not closer, then most of my friends with their moms, so i wouldn't worry about the "relating" thing.

See your doctor, she can give the best answers, but it's not all that unusual at all anymore!

Answer 9

If it's your only chance at parenting and you really want children, do it as soon as you can. There will be extra tests, but if you wait any more you'll regret it. Go for it. There's nothing like being a loving parent to a innocent child. Nothing.

Answer 10

You are at a higher risk for down syndrome.