Is it advisable to conceive at the age of 39? Other than being overweight I am in fairly good health.?

Answer 1

Being 35 or over does raise certain important issues for women choosing to wait to start a family. There is a gradual decrease in fertility after the age of 30, so a couple may take longer to conceive, or have to face problems of sub-fertility. More pregnant women in this age group will have undergone fertility treatment.

It is unfortunately true that simply by being older, a woman has had more chance to develop medical disorders such as diabetes, hypertensive disorders or fibroids, which can affect pregnancy and birth. 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 high blood pressure, pregnancy-induced diabetes , bleeding in the third trimester, and low lying placenta The incidence of pregnancy complications rises from 10.43 per cent for women aged 20-29, to 19.29 per cent 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.

There is a marked pattern of increased intervention with the increasing age of the mother. Women of 35 and over are more likely to have induced labour, diagnosis of fetal distress, epidural anaesthesia, or forceps or ventouse delivery, and virtually all studies agree that the rate of caesareans rises with maternal age. However, this increase does not appear to be connected with any specific problem. There is a question mark over how much of this intervention is necessary, and how much is caused by a general perception that 'older' mothers are 'high risk'. Once the course of nature is interrupted by one intervention, others frequently follow in what is known as a 'cascade of intervention', so as in pregnancy, if you want to give the physiological processes of birth a chance, be well informed and prepared to ask questions.

There is however, one small but serious risk to the babies of more mature mothers. Inexplicably more babies die, in utero, right at the end of pregnancy in this group of mothers - 1 in 440 pregnancies of women aged 35 or more, as opposed to 1 in 1000 for younger women. For this reason carers are often more vigilant of the mature mother in the final weeks of pregnancy.

Far more frequently there is a general expectation of complications which in itself can cause stress to the mother. This in turn may disturb the delicate balance of hormones and natural chemicals. Older mothers who have straightforward births mention how surprised their midwives are when no problems arise.

It is also well known that older women run more risk of having a Down's syndrome baby. The rate is 1 in 400 at the age of 35, and goes up to 1 in 109 at the age of 40. When a woman is 45 the risk is 1 in 32 (compared with 1 in 1,500 at 25). There are other much rarer chromosomal abnormalities, such as Patau's syndrome and Edward's syndrome, which also increase in incidence with maternal age. Maternal serum screening and other tests can give approximations of risk, and amniocentesis can provide firm diagnosis, which allows a woman either to terminate a pregnancy, or help prepare her for the special needs her baby will have. No woman has to undergo any tests if she would rather not have this information.

Despite the increased risk with increased age of mother, it is important to remember that the vast majority of babies are fine, and except for the factor of chromosomal abnormalities, research suggests that the babies of older mothers are no more at risk of birth defects than the offspring of younger mothers.

You are probably more confident and relaxed at this age than you were ten or fifteen years ago - a big plus for motherhood. Thinking materialistically again, you may be more comfortably off, which allays many anxieties. As one mother put it "I am better off financially now than when I was younger, which lessens the anxiety level and enables me to be more relaxed with the baby. At the same time, material standards are less important to me now than when I was younger and I feel freer to give my energies to the baby rather than worrying too much, for instance, about what I look like".

Answer 2

I conceived via IVF at 45 and delivered at 46 turned 47 5 mo after my twins were born! I was overweight but in fairly good health. I had very good care and saw a Perinatologist. Good care will help produce a good pregnancy. Good luck.

Answer 3

Maybe not you are high risk for comlications and Downs syndrome and othr birth defects. The overweight problem can also give you preclampsia (very high bloodpressure durig pregnancy or delivery) I had my last child at 36 and I had no problems during the pregnancy but I did have preclampsia during delivery and had to stay an extra couple of days in the hospital before they got my blood pressure under control. I am now your age I wanted another child but now I think its may be to late my OB/GYN says I will do just fine talk to you OB/GYN and see what they say. Are there other birth defects in your family history? or the Fathers?

Answer 4

Most healthy women from age 35 into their 40s have healthy pregnancies. If problems do arise, they can usually be successfully treated. The risks of high blood pressure, diabetes, multiples, miscarriage, placenta previa, a baby with a genetic disorder (down syndrome) are significantly increased. If you do decide to become pregnant, prenatal care is extremely important. Keep in mind, that you will most likely need an amnio to rule out genetic disorders.

Answer 5

My mother had me at 40. I was unplanned. She had no major complications until the end. I went into distress and they did an emergency C-section. I am now 27 and basically healthy with 2 kids of my own. SO on that end, I think you're okay. But I would advise against it, personally. I lost my mother when I was 19. That is way too young to lose a parent, in my opinion. While I know people lose young parents, too, I can't help but think that age had something to do with it. Good luck in whatever you choose!

Answer 6

Go for it if this is what you want. I am around your age and have been trying for years to conceive again after two miscarriages. The only drawback is miscarriage is more common in older mothers and also downs syndrome but a lot of older mothers have perfectly heathy babies. Take folic acid and prenatal vitamins before you conceive and see your obgyn to make sure everything is ok with you before you start trying. Good luck.

Answer 7

http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,4432,00.html

Here is a site about childbearing at older ages. The main risks are a more difficult delivery (more of a chance for c-sections) and a high rate of birth defects. They do perform amniocentesis (the draw out a bit of amniotic fluid through a small needle in your abdomen) to check for birth defects earlier in older women. I say have a baby! No one will advise you AGAINST it, they will just inform you of the risks. Good luck and I hope you have a happy healthy pregnancy!

Answer 8

Your more likely to have a baby with down syndrome or other abnormalities. But I know a number of women who had babies in their late 30's. I would get your weight under control before conceiving. Extra weight can complicate a pregnancy.

Answer 9

Your age puts you at a higher risk of having a baby with Downs, But it does not mean that will be the case. Get genetic counseling first. Many women have healthy babies after age 40!

Answer 10

I think with technology today it is possible, there are a few more risks then when you are younger,and you have to go through many tests but it is still possible but everyone's bodys are different I suggest talking to your doctor about it and see if it is advisable for you.

Answer 11

You should really loose the weight first for the good of the baby. Its most likely your child would have health issues such as asthma