Pregnancy and the Older Mother

Today, more and more couples are starting their families later in life - it was estimated that by the year 2000, one out of every twelve babies will be born to a mother who is in her mid-thirties or even older. Even though most of these women have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies, there is still a concern about whether their age, will affect their ability to conceive, their health and the well-being of their baby.

As a woman ages, ovulation occurs less often, and while there is no precise age at which a woman becomes infertile, all women will experience some decrease in fertility, starting in her early 30's. There is also the possibility of other problems, such as endometriosis and blocked tubes at this stage - simply because there has been a longer time during which these problems may occur. For these reasons, you may want to seek your doctor's advice, in the case of not having conceived after six months 'protection-free' intercourse.

Certain medical and obstetric problems occur more frequently as a woman ages:

• More than 10% of women 35 and older, suffer from high blood pressure.
• Older women are more likely to have diabetes, or develop gestational diabetes.
• Miscarriage, stillbirth and low birth-weight are more common in older women.
• Birth defects are more common in babies born to older mothers.