Midlife Moms: Planning for a Safe Pregnancy Past 35

Moving through your mid-30s and pondering motherhood? You're not alone. More and more American women are postponing having children.

Women have lots of reasons for choosing to start a family later. Many put motherhood on the back burner until they've completed their education and settled into their careers. Others may take longer to meet their partners or become financially stable. Some may not feel ready to face the challenges of parenting until they've had more life experience.

Fortunately, most women who choose to delay childbirth until after age 35 will have healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy infants. But research shows that risks to both moms and babies increase with advancing age. Women can improve their chances by embracing healthy habits and getting good health care before they conceive and once they're pregnant.

No True "Age Limit"

There's no set age when it becomes unsafe for a woman to become pregnant, says the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. However, older women may need to deal with issues during pregnancy that don't apply to younger women. Health problems and the physical demands of pregnancy increase the risk for complications for women as they grow older.

Women older than age 35 are more likely than younger women to have:

• Miscarriage
• Diabetes or high blood pressure related to pregnancy
• Ectopic pregnancy, in which the fetus grows outside the uterus
• Premature birth or stillbirth, especially after age 40
• Delivery by cesarean section
• Low birth weight
• Twins

The chances of having a baby with a genetic disorder also increase with age. Women who are 35 have twice the risk of 30-year-old women. Past 40, a woman's risk is nearly three times that of a 35-year-old. Down syndrome is the most common genetic birth defect.

Preconception Care Is Key

Start taking care of yourself -- and see your doctor -- before you become pregnant. This is particularly important if you have a chronic health problem such as diabetes, epilepsy, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, obesity, depression, an eating disorder, or asthma, or if you're on any regular medication.

Ideally, preconception care should begin at least three months before pregnancy, but some women may need even more time to get their bodies ready. Other steps that can help prevent problems include the following:

• Take folic acid. The U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age get at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily through food or supplements. Women considering pregnancy should take 400 mcg for at least three months prior to conceiving to prevent certain birth defects of the brain and spine.
• Quit smoking and drinking alcohol. Smoking seems to be especially harmful for babies of older mothers.
• Get tested for immunity against diseases such as chicken pox and rubella, which can harm a developing baby. Get vaccinated if necessary.
• Avoid toxic substances or material that could hurt your unborn baby.
• Talk with your doctor about any over-the-counter and prescription medicines you take, including dietary or herbal supplements.
• Eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise. If you're over- or underweight, take steps to get to a healthy weight.
• Reduce stress, and get plenty of rest.

Once You're Pregnant

Good prenatal care is a must for every mom, but women older than 35 may need more doctor visits and extra tests. Getting early and regular care can increase your chance of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.