Nowadays, it’s normal for women to wait until later in life to have a child. In fact, the median age for first-time mothers recently rose to 30 years old. It’s no surprise that women have better access to birth control, participate in active careers, and marry later in life. However, advanced maternal age comes with a few risk factors.

As women have children later in life, the risks of having children at an older age can increase. By understanding potential risks, mothers who are giving birth at an “advanced maternal age” can be more informed about what to expect during pregnancy. 

What Is Advanced Maternal Age? 

Advanced maternal age occurs when a woman is 35 years of age or older at the time of conception. Women are born with all the eggs they’ll have throughout their lifetime, but the quality of these eggs decreases as women reach their mid-thirties. If you’re around the age of 35, it may be challenging to conceive a baby, and you will have an increased risk of fetal abnormalities.

How Advanced Maternal Age Affects Pregnancy 

Although many women over the age of 35 can have a healthy, happy baby, advanced maternal age increases some risks associated with pregnancy, labor, and the baby. If you would like to conceive past the age of 35, you’ll want to discuss these potential risks with your healthcare provider:

• Time to conceive. If you’re at an advanced maternal age, it may take longer to become pregnant than it would be if you were younger.
• Abnormalities. Advanced maternal age increases the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, which can lead to conditions such as Down syndrome. There is also an increased risk of physical abnormalities such as heart defects.
• Gestational diabetes. Becoming pregnant at an older age comes with a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes, which is a condition that occurs when the body can’t properly regulate blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
• Cesarean section. Since there is an increased risk of complications during pregnancy, women of advanced maternal age are more likely to need a C-section delivery.

How to Manage Advanced Maternal Age

If you’re at an advanced maternal age, remember it’s not the end of the world! You can still have a healthy pregnancy, labor, and baby with the right support. These simple tips will increase your chance of a healthy pregnancy when managing advanced maternal age:

• Get adequate prenatal care. Prenatal care is essential for monitoring your health and your baby’s development. It is recommended that pregnant women at an advanced maternal age receive early and regular prenatal care from a healthcare provider.
• Receive support from a midwife. Midwives offer emotional, physical, and spiritual support throughout your pregnancy journey. A midwife can support you before pregnancy, during labor, and postpartum for healthier outcomes.
• Prepare for childbirth. Attend childbirth classes and develop a birth plan with your healthcare provider to prepare for labor and delivery. Consider discussing pain management options and the possibility of cesarean delivery if necessary.
• Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet can help support your pregnancy and reduce the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes. Focus on eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products.

Have a Healthy Pregnancy with 2Me Healthcare

If you’re interested in working with a midwife or doula that offers holistic pregnancy support, OB2Me is here to help. At OB2Me, we offer private in-home or in-office concierge midwifery care to support you with comfortable prenatal and postpartum care for you and your family. We are also available to help you throughout your labor and delivery at the hospital.

OB2Me provides multiple packages and services to fit your needs best and make your transition from pregnancy to motherhood as stress-free as possible. Contact our team today and see how working with a dedicated and passionate healthcare provider can make all the difference.

Carson

Carson Ragan, CNM is a Certified Nurse Midwife with more than 25 years of experience in Labor & Delivery, Neonatal ICU, and women’s healthcare. After becoming a mother at a young age and experiencing the birth of her premature second child, she was inspired to pursue nursing and ultimately midwifery.

She earned her nursing degree from Columbus State University and graduated as an RN in 1999. After years of experience as an L&D and NICU nurse, charge nurse, educator, and clinician, she earned her graduate degree from Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in 2010 and became a Certified Nurse Midwife.

Her personal experiences as both a mother and healthcare provider inspired her vision for a more personal, convenient approach to women’s healthcare. She created a concierge model designed to give women more time, individualized attention, and quality care in the comfort of their home or office.

Outside of work, Carson enjoys spending time with her husband and five children, volunteering with her daughter’s volleyball teams, traveling, and scuba diving.