Should women over 35 have babies eventhough they may have down syndrome etc?

Answer 1

I'm 35, pregnant with my first child and yes, if a woman wants to have a child when she's older why shouldn't she. Just because the risk of having a child with Down's Syndrome is greater does not mean she will have one with DS. A woman in her twenties and even younger still has a risk of having a child with DS, should they not have children either?

Answer 2

Yes, DOWN'S syndrome doesn't occur to every child born to women over 35. I have a friend who had her first child at 50 and that child is now an active, healthy, beautiful 5 year old, getting ready to go into the first grade of elementary school in August.
Another friend was 18 when she had her first child...he had Down's Syndrome. Age isn't the only factor for having a child with Down's

Answer 3

Yes, because 35 is an average for women to start having a higher percentage of a fetus with down syndrome not a guarantee.


No one knows exactly why this chromosomal error occurs, but it does appear to be related to the age of the mother. At age 25, a woman has a one in 1,250 risk for having a child with Down syndrome. The risk increases to one in 952 at age 30, to one in 378 at age 35, to one in 106 at age 40 and one in 35 at age 45. However, 80% of children born with Down syndrome are born to mothers under the age of 35. This is because most babies, in general, are born to younger women.

Answer 4

Absolutely! Unless you are living in the dark ages, there are many well functioning adults that have Down's Syndrome. So much more is now known about it. With medical and developmental advances, children with DS can achieve their full potential.

As a women gets older, although her rate of having a child with DS increases, it's not by much. I am 38 and pregnant with my second child. My first has Mosaic Down's Syndrome. I had an amniocentesis as I did with my first pregnancy because I was over 35. I also had genetic counseling. If I was younger, my percentage of having another child with DS is 1%. Because of my age, my percentage of having a child with DS is 1.7% Either way, my percentage of having a child with DS is less than 2%.

Many women are waiting to have children these days for many reasons, especially careers. Although I absolutely love being a mother, I don't think I was ready for it in my 20's. I am now. I don't think people should have children until they are ready for them so they can devote the love and attention that children deserve.

Answer 5

that is like saying should any woman have a baby because of the risk of having a child with DS. it is not just woman over 35. did you know that women under 35 have the most kids with down syndrome? it is only because they are the largest age group having children.....look at it this way...it is a roll of the dice...you get what you are given. I have met women as young as 16 yrs old with a down syndrome child; and I have also met women as old as 45 that have a "typical" child what makes one have a child with down syndrome and the other not...I don't know....it just happens..

Answer 6

The truth of the matter is that more babies with Down syndrome are born to younger mothers. That's simply because younger women have more babies...period. Age may increas risk, but Down syndrome can occur in any pregnancy. And I don't see anything wrong with having a child with DS...my son has it and I'm so proud of him. He's the light of our lives!

Answer 7

I just had baby #3 at age 38 and this pregnancy was the absolute best. I had an amniocentesis at 20 weeks just as a precaution, peace of mind and because my doctor asked for one. The results came back 99.9% fine. Baby was born May 3, 2007 after 4 pushes and I am back to a size 6!!!!

Answer 8

You might really want to consider this. My aunt had her son when she was 38. A few weeks into her pregnancy she went in for a regular check up and they tested the Embryonic Fluid to monitor her baby.
Turns out that her child would be born with Down Syndrome. She had the baby anyway (being a conservative Christian) and I can see that it is very stressful for both my aunt and her husband now.
The child is now 5 years old and cannot speak complete sentences. He is like an infant still. Instead of talking or saying words, he'll make noises and point, like an infant would.
My aunt and uncle had another child which is now 2 years old. The reasoning behind them having their daughter is to take care of their first son with Down Syndrome when they are older and incapable of caring for him hand and foot. I thought it was very selfish and unfair to their daughter, to put that much responsibility on her and expecting her to be her brother's caretaker as she grows.

Answer 9

I had my youngest when I was 38. Our good friends had their first baby when she was 40. Neither of our children have a genetic disorder. The risk of Down Syndrome and other genetic disorders does increase as you get older, but babies with problems can be born to moms who are young, too. There is no need to put an age limit on when a woman has a baby. I know several families with children who have Down Syndrome. Each of those children is loved, cared for, and a welcome addition to their families. Most of them were born to older moms, but one has a mom who was 23 when he was born. My cousin had a baby when she was 18 who was born with a genetic disorder related to vitamin B12 deficiency. She died just before she turned 2. Risks are inherent when it comes to having babies, but as a parent, you face those risks and do what needs to be done for your child.

Answer 10

Many women have healthy babies after 35 - one of my best friends didn't get started until she was 34 and had one every other year! They are all happy and healthy.

Also, down syndrome is not a death sentence - goodness, have some courtesy.