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Babies Later in Life
Pregnancy at 35 and Older
By Jill Eggleton Brett
It's no secret that more women today are choosing to have children later in life than women of the previous generation – and the reasons are as unique as the individuals. Some women long to accomplish personal goals, career objectives or financial stability. Some women don't find their ideal mate until later in life.
But whatever the reasons, first births among women ages 30 to 39 have doubled in the past 15 years, and those for women 40 and older have increased 50 percent. For women age 35 and older who do in fact desire to become pregnant, there are unique issues and factors to consider.
The obvious place to start is fertility. According to Dr. Pat Tiernan, OB/GYN, "Fertility peaks from age 20 to 25 and begins to decrease at age 30. You should try to conceive for at least six months before bringing your concerns to a doctor."
Age-related decreases in fertility are typically due to decreases in ovulation. They may also be related to problems such as endometriosis, in which tissue similar to that lining the uterus attaches to the ovaries or fallopian tubes and interferes with conception.
Also, more than one egg is frequently released due to irregular ovulation in women 35 and older, thus increasing their chance of having fraternal twins.
Another area to consider is preconception health. It is important for women of any age to have a preconception visit with their doctor, but this is especially vital for women 35 and older.
Genetic counseling prior to conception may also be a helpful option for couples 35 and older. During genetic counseling, a trained specialist gathers facts from the couple, such as family histories and personal medical backgrounds. The counselor will screen for problems that would potentially develop in a fetus due to the parents' age and medical histories. Also, the counselor will thoroughly discuss risk factors involved due to the mother's age.
