By Daily Press staff
Today, more and more couples are starting families later in life. Although there is no set age that is unsafe for women to become pregnant, women in their 30s and 40s tend to have concerns about whether their age will affect their ability to become pregnant, their health and the health of their babies.
The most common concern is fertility, according to Jon Matsunaga, M.D., an Ob/Gyn specialist and chair of the Ob/Gyn department at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica.
“Although ovulation — the release of an egg from one of the ovaries — continues until menopause,” he explains, “the quality of the eggs decreases with age. Since these eggs are older and less viable, they are more difficult to fertilize than those of a younger woman.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, for a woman under 30, the chance of becoming pregnant in any one month is estimated to be about 20 percent. In women ages 30 to 40, that number drops to 5 percent. After the age of 35, we see a significant decline in fertility in that age group. Once a woman turns 40, her fertility drops even further. It is estimated that only 10 percent of women over the age of 40 will be able to conceive.
Of course, these are statistics. Every woman — and her ability to get pregnant — is different. Many women in their late 30s and early 40s conceive and bear children either naturally or with the help of fertility treatment.
Once a woman over the age of 35 becomes pregnant, it should be reassuring to know that she runs about the same risk as a younger pregnant woman in terms of developing medical/obstetric conditions such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. And her chance of needing a Cesarean delivery or having a low birth weight baby is about the same as for a younger woman.
Miscarriage (the loss of pregnancy before 12 weeks), unfortunately, is slightly more common in women over the age of 35, where it occurs in 20 to 25 percent of pregnancies as compared to about 15 to 20 percent of all pregnancies, warns Matsunaga.
“Being prepared for pregnancy is the best way for couples of all ages to improve their chances of having a healthy baby,” he said. “Regular and early prenatal care is important as your doctor can closely monitor and treat potential problems early on.”
Genetic counseling is advised for women who will be 35 or older when their baby is due as chromosomal abnormalities are more common in that age group. Couples who have already had a child with a birth defect, or couples with a family history of genetic problems or birth defects, should also receive counseling.
A number of tests are offered to pregnant women over the age of 35. The tests, which include amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS), can help diagnose genetic disorders or chromosome problems during pregnancy. Your doctor can provide you with more information on those tests.
“A woman having her first child in her mid-30s or older may have other issues to be concerned with as she tries to become pregnant,” notes Matsunaga. “It may take longer to become pregnant than she had hoped or fertility treatments may be needed, both of which can be stressful. On the other hand, an older woman may feel more emotionally mature and ready to have a child, which can make her feel more relaxed and in control during pregnancy.
If you are over the age of 35 and considering getting pregnant, there is no need to panic,” he said. “You should, however, make an appointment with your Ob/Gyn to discuss how to maximize your chances of becoming a parent. He or she can best advise you on an individual basis.”
Research shows that most women have healthy pregnancies and normal babies, so age in of itself should not be a barrier when considering pregnancy. Generally, most women in their 30s and 40s show no greater signs of problems once they are pregnant than their younger counterparts, a fact that should be reassuring to women considering having a child later in life. (To find an Ob/Gyn like Dr. Matsunaga (or any type of physician), log onto the Saint John’s Web site at www.stjohns.org. Select “Find a Physician” and respond to the computer prompts. Browsers can choose from a wide range of specialists, which are then sorted by location, gender and language. The service instantly refers patients to one of Saint John’s experienced and caring physicians.)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 20, 2005. Read the original PDF.