Pregnancy after the age of 35

The most common complications with becoming pregnant after 35 years of age are endometriosis, fibroids, blocked fallopian tubes, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, placental problems, premature birth and stillbirth

Endometriosis is the condition where tissue attaches to the fallopian tubes or ovaries.

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths on the uterus.

A blocked fallopian tube may be caused by past infections a woman had.

High blood pressure can develop for the first time during pregnancy. Mother's to be with pre-existing blood pressure issues need to be monitored closely. High blood pressure can become preeclampsia, at it's most severe stage.

Gestational diabetes is when diabetes develops during pregnancy. Women over 35 are twice as likely to develop gestational diabetes then a pregnant women in her 20's.

Placental problems can lead to a cesarean birth to prevent serious problems during delivery. The most common placental problem in women over 35 is placenta previa, this is when the placenta covers part or all of the cervix. Placenta previa can cause sever heavy bleeding at delivery, which is why a cesarean section birth is performed for the health of the baby and mother.

Premature birth increases with age. Premature babies are at increased risk of health problems from low birth weight to poor development. Some of these health problems could be long lasting disabilities for the baby.

Stillbirth increase with age. Stillbirth is when a pregnancy is over 20 weeks. Women at two to three times likely to have a stillbirth after 40 years of age. Like all other complications stillbirth slowly increases as a woman ages.

Along with complications becomes risks. The chances of miscarriages and birth defects increase as a woman ages.

Miscarriage is a concern for all women who become pregnant. Most miscarriages happen in the first trimester. The risk of miscarriage increases as a woman ages. A 35 year old women has a twenty percent chance of miscarriage. A 40 year old woman has a thirty five percent chance of miscarriage. A woman 45 years of age has a fifty percent chance of miscarriage. Age related miscarriages are usually caused by chromosomal issues.

A woman having a baby after 35 is at a greater risk of having a baby with a birth defect. Certain birth defects involving chromosomes increase with age. Chromosomes are the structure in the cells that contain the baby's genes.

Down Syndrome is the most common birth defect regarding chromosomes. A woman age 35 has a one in four hundred chance of having a child with Down Syndrome. The chances increase with age. By the time a woman is 40, she has a one in one hundred chance of having a baby with Down Syndrome. While a woman at 45 has a one in thirty chance of having a child with Down Syndrome.

Blood tests are doing in the first or second trimester for screening of birth defects. Sometimes a special ultra sound will be done, too.

Women over the age of thirty five have a greater chance of conceiving twins, when they conceive. This can happen with natural conception or with conception assisted by a doctor.