Later In Life Motherhood

Advanced Maternal Age

Today many women are bearing children after the age of 35, at which point they are medically considered to be at an advanced maternal age. According to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, since 1990 the number of births for mothers age 35-39 has increased by 57% even though the population of women in this age group has only increased by 5%. Also, since 1990 the birth rate for mothers 40-44 has increased by 70% and the birth rate for mothers 45-49 has tripled. In 2006, 494 children were born to mothers age 50-54. In the past it was not unusual for women to bear children later in life. The difference today is women are having their first child after age 35. The number of women having their first child over the age of 35 has increased eight-fold since 1970. In the news and in the entertainment industry we see plenty of examples of later in life mothers: Halle Berry, Geena Davis, Elizabeth Edwards, Nicole Kidman, Holly Hunter, and many more.

So why is a distinction made with respect to moms having babies later in life rather than sooner? Well, the main reason is that later in life moms are more at risk for pregnancy complications. Pregnant women over the age of 35 are considered at higher risk for miscarriage, twins, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, placenta problems, preterm birth, stillbirth and having a c-section. Such mothers are also more likely to have pre-existing health conditions (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems) that can affect pregnancy. Babies born to mothers who are over the age of 35 are at greater risks for birth defects.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, a twenty year old woman has a 1 in 1667 chance of having a baby with Down’s Syndrome and a 1 in 526 chance of having a baby with any chromosomal abnormality. A forty-year old woman, however, has a 1 in 106 chance of having a baby with Down’s Syndrome and a 1 in 66 chance of having a baby with any chromosomal abnormality.

It’s imperative for women of all ages who are considering pregnancy to weigh the risks and benefits of pregnancy for themselves and their babies. Prospective parents should talk with their physicians about any health risks from pregnancy for the mother and child. If desired, the prospective parents may also want to discuss with their physicians the use of assisted reproductive technology. Some later in life mothers choose in vitro fertilization in combination with donor eggs from younger women. Genetic screening can be done on both parents before pregnancy to determine the risk of having a baby with genetic defects. During pregnancy, women are offered certain genetic screening and/or diagnostic tests (i.e. amniocentesis, chronic villus sampling, and fetal blood sampling). The important thing to consider is what to do with the test results once you have them. Pregnant mothers-to-be can also decline to have genetic screening or testing done.

From a non-medical standpoint, prospective parents should consider their finances and support system. Later in life parents may be concerned about paying for college during their retirement years, taking care of elderly parents and young children at the same time, and the lack of friends at the same life stage. There are a number of social groups that have sprung up to meet the needs of moms having babies later in life: www.motherhoodlater.com, www.mothersover40.com, and www.fertilityover40.com.