Pregnancy After 35: What You Need To Know

Are you planning to get pregnant anytime soon? Well, whether you’re trying for pregnancy after age 35 or just planning for the future, there are a few things you need to know before you make this crucial decision.

It can be harder for you to get pregnant in your late 30s. This is because fertility starts to decline as you age and declines even faster in your 30s. As your ovaries get older, the number and quality of eggs dwindle.³ But while it’s often more difficult to conceive after 35, it isn’t impossible. Many women deliver healthy babies, even in their 40s.⁴ However, you should be well-equipped to face all the challenges you might experience during this time.

Consider the Risks Involved

There’s always been a debate about using 35 as the cutoff age for fertility. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the birth rates were as follows in 2023:¹

• Women aged 35-39 years: 54.7 births per 1,000 women
• Women aged 40-44 years: 12.6 births per 1,000 women

This is why it becomes important to note the risks involved and improve your chances of having a pregnancy after 35. While health conditions can take a toll on a person as they get older, certain health conditions can cause complications before and during pregnancy:

Risks of Pregnancy After 35

The risks of pregnancy after the age of 35 include:

• Gestational diabetes: This is a type of diabetes that’s diagnosed during pregnancy. It causes high blood sugar levels, which can affect your pregnancy and your child’s health.^4,5,6 Controlling your blood sugar levels can keep you and your fetus healthy and prevent any complications that may arise during labor.⁷
• High blood pressure: This condition is more common in older women and can develop during pregnancy.^3,5 The force of blood against the walls of the blood vessels is high and needs to be monitored carefully.^6,7 Your doctor may prescribe you medications to control high blood pressure, and you might have to deliver the baby before your due date to avoid complications.⁸
• Chromosomal abnormalities: Certain birth defects or chromosomal abnormalities can occur when the mother is over 35.^3,5 An example is Down syndrome, the incidence of which increases from 1 in 1,250 births at age 25 to 1 in 400 births at age 35.⁹ These abnormalities can be diagnosed early in pregnancy with the help of various screening tests.³
• Multiple births: The possibility of having a multiple pregnancy increases with age due to hormonal changes and certain fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).^3,5,6 This can often cause problems during pregnancy (like premature birth and gestational diabetes) and affect your baby’s development.⁶
• Preeclampsia: This is a pregnancy complication that usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy and is characterized by high blood pressure. It often leads to serious complications for both mother and baby. Telltale signs of preeclampsia include changes in vision, severe headaches, and protein in the urine.²

How Can You Improve Your Chances of Having a Healthy Baby?

Age is just a number! If you plan or hope to experience pregnancy after 35, you should see a doctor for a preconception checkup. To help you have a healthy pregnancy and baby, your doctor will help you find the best prenatal vitamins and ask you to make certain lifestyle changes. Here are some helpful tips to improve your chances of getting pregnant:

Tips for Keeping Yourself Healthy

You can help keep yourself healthy by following these basic practices:

• Treat any health conditions: Seek treatment for conditions (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) you’ve been suffering from. If you take any medications, let your doctor know about them. Your doctor may change your medications depending on what’s safer during pregnancy.¹⁰
• Get regular prenatal care: This is vital for the baby’s development.¹¹ Your doctor or midwife will carefully monitor you and your baby’s health during prenatal visits. If there’s anything that concerns you, let them know about it.
• Maintain a healthy diet: Having a healthy diet that consists of fresh fruits and vegetables is essential.¹² Avoid eating fried, fatty foods and foods high in sugar.^12,13 Consider taking a multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid every day.⁶ “Taking folic acid before and during pregnancy prevents the chances of birth defects that may occur in the baby’s brain and spine,” says Dr. Mae Jemison, senior consultant gynecologist at Hisblue. “Folic acid adds an extra layer of protection for older women. However, you shouldn’t take more than 1,000 mcg of folic acid without consulting your doctor,” she adds.
• Work out regularly and stay active: Exercise can boost your energy levels and improve your overall well-being during pregnancy.¹⁴
• Get to a healthy weight: If you’re overweight or underweight, consider getting to a healthy weight. You’re likely to have certain problems during pregnancy if you weigh too much or too little.⁶
• Avoid drinking alcohol and other risky substances: These include drugs, tobacco, etc.⁶
• Manage your stress: You want to manage your stress levels so that it doesn’t affect your pregnancy.⁶ Engage in mindfulness and deep breathing exercises, such as meditation, to help put your mind at ease.

Final Thoughts

Getting pregnant after age 35 can be challenging, but it’s still possible to have healthy babies! If you’re trying to get pregnant, make sure you feel ready. You can’t prevent yourself from getting older, but you can take good care of yourself by making healthy choices. These include eating well, exercising regularly, and avoiding risky substances such as drugs and alcohol, which may be detrimental to your pregnancy and baby’s health. And don’t miss out on your prenatal appointments; they will help create a pregnancy plan that’s right for you!

If you have trouble getting pregnant, various treatment options (such as hormone therapy, IVF, artificial insemination, etc.) can help you have a healthy pregnancy. The sooner you start the treatment, the more likely it is to be successful.