Having a baby after you turn 35 years old? Does age really matter?

[boscobel]

I have always heard that your body is highly susceptible to pregnancy right after you stop taking BC. So I think that if you started back up, it would help your period get under control, and then when you stop next year, you have a good chance of getting prego immediately.

[blkladylaw]

I am happy to say we are awaiting the birth of our first little one...a boy any day now.

I am 38 and the pregnancy has gone smooth, with no complications, we got pregnant quickly, baby is doing great is healthy, and planning a natural no meds birth with a midwife!

As I live in a city that attracts a lot of highly educated/professional women who did lots of years of school and career first before marriage and kids...my midwife (and the OB I saw prior to her) said the majority of their clients in the DC area are over 35 so it is so not abnormal around here...but more the norm to be 35-45. My mom found it to be and seems to think we should try for #2 but she lives in the midwest where folks just start way earlier.

I have been checked by a perinatal specialist (high risk) throughout the pregnancy just in case...and frankly I was surprised by how many younger women were coming in with high blood pressure (preeclampsia) and gestational diabetes and other problems with their pregnancys...being late 30s really isn't the main factor with being high risk anymore. In fact my midwife showed me studies where the Obstetrics community is planning to reevaluate their (over 35 being high risk) guidelines soon and push the date up to over 40 or so because the last studies for the rates of problems and abnormalties are so outdated and there have been newer studies in recent years with more valid results and many more moms are over 35 and doing just fine with no abnormalties. Those old charts everyone goes by for increased risk of this and that at X or Y age are going to be updated in the near future.

Actually a factor many do not talk about as they focus on the mother is the father...the age and genetics of the father also has to be taken into account with increased abnormality rates as some research has recently discovered.

Best wishes to all!

[katrina]

congrats!! sounds like your having a perfectly healthy pregnancy!

[starchild]

Congratulations and I hope the pregnancy continues to be a breeze!

[blkladylaw]

Thanks all...we are so excited! I'm so ready now to be a mom. I am glad I travelled overseas and partied and did so many of the crazy things I wanted to do in life beforehand. I am so much more settled now and in a place to give this child so much more from my life experience and financial stability. My husband is 4-5 years younger but he is in a place where he is ready also.

 

I found a typo below...I meant mom did not think we should try for #2 since I am 38 now

[JUSTUSTWO]

Congratulations on your addition & thats great that you're having such a wonderful pregnancy.

I had a similar experience as you when I went to see a Maternal Fetal Specialist. He said the same things regarding age that you pointed out in that they are reevaluating the age guidelines & he thought it was quite absurd that 35 & over is considered "high risk" solely b/c of age when there are so many other factors that can affect a pregnancy. I was really surprised that he felt so strongly about this & especially coming from a male DR.

It'll be interesting to see when/if they ever change the age that they deem "high risk".

[Jamaica0619]

I'm glad I found this link. I'm 36 and my DH is 38. We plan to start trying in March/April. I wanted to take a really big/unique honeymoon before trying but we had to delay in until then to save some money after the wedding. While I'm considered "high risk" not only because of my age but also becuase I have Graves disease (hyperthyroidism), which is controlled right now without medication, a pregnancy can cause significant issues. But I changed to an OB/GYN that routinely handles higher risk pregnancies and she did not even blink at my getting pregnant. She just told me to come off BC whenever I was ready and to come see her when I am pregnant. She also (not surprisingly) advised that I take a multi-vitamin in the meantime.

[SheriB]

I am so happy to find this thread. I am 36 and FI is 38. We are not getting married until Feb 2010 so will start trying after that - when I am 37. I def have concerns but my doctor was very positive - take vitamins, folic acid and come see me as soon as you suspect... It is a relief to read this thread and see how many others are doing this - I am not alone even though all my family has pretty much had their kids and are def wondering if I am going to get around to it!!! But as many of you have said, I now feel ready to have a baby - I've got the right guy, I've done lots of travelling, I am settled and secure...what better time to start a family?!

[kris]

Im glad I read this too. Im 25 and getting married in a month , but then Im planning on going back to school starting in sept for the next 4 years So cant even think about having a baby until Im 30. I dont know why Im so worried I guess I just feel like everyone around me is on there 2nd and 3rd kids and their only 25 its crazy.

[Oryx]

I'm glad I came across this thread. This is such a supportive forum and it's nice to see some of my own concerns shared by others on here. I'm 32 and I don't plan on trying for at least another year or two. I realize that it might be a little more of a challenge in my mid-thirties, but if you're not ready, you're not ready.

 

Congrats to all the moms, and best wishes to those who are trying (and those who are not)!