Risks after 35

Question

Hi everyone, I just joined your community. I am 35 years old and will love to conceive. I live in Puerto Rico and Doctors here don't recommend pregnancy after 35. This has given me many fears. They say that the risks of Down Syndrome are high after 35. How true is this???

retta483 · Answer

there are risks with any pregnancy at any age . Im going to be 36 before my baby is born and the dr's all tried to scare me too and this is my 7th and they tried to scare me about that too . but I know everything will be fine . I dont think its too much of a risk .

kristine625 · Answer

Yes, the risks of Down's are higher once you reach the 35 year old mark.  They are also even higher than that once you reach the 40 year mark, and so on.  But that doesn't automatically mean your baby will have Down's.  There are a lot of indicators that would contribute to it, such as a family member currently with Down's, etc.  A genetics counselor can map all this out for you.

I am 40 years old.  24 weeks pregnant with my first.  I will be 41 at delivery.  All of the testing showed our baby is just fine.  In fact, the numbers came back even better than what they like to see for a 35 year old.  Just one example.

I would not let the stats stop you from trying, if that is your only hesitation right now.  Good luck!

Iris068 · Answer

By the way...I have no idea how to add friends so any requests will be welcome. lol

Iris068 · Answer

THANKS for your support and answers. It sure feels great to know that we are Not alone in this journey. Sadly around 3 years ago I had one ovary and the half of the others surgically removed do to a bilateral teratoma. My doctor says I can still have babies with the half ovary I have left. Let's see how it goes for me since I feel that my biological clock is ticking. 

Wish all of you the Best of Lucks and send some Baby Dust my way !!! =)

pb95 · Answer

People try to scare you for sure that after 35 the risks are high.  It is surely hard to ignore the warnings, but it is even harder to ignore what you want.  Complications can happen to people of all ages.  Try to get past the negative!

momtimesfive · Answer

I found out on my 38th brirthday we would be welcoming a new blessing in October. So just focus on the positive and enjoy the pregnancy. BTW my maternal great grandmother was 47 years old when she had her youngest child in 1947 (WAY before amnios, intervention etc) and he turned out fine :-). He was her 13th child. All of them lived long lives except for one little boy.

feelinit007 · Answer

Am 43 and 34 weeks pg. Had a few scares but all seems 2 be fine. Statisically more woman under 35 have babies with downs syndrome. Seems to be more the norm these days waiting till you are older but for many it is harder to fall pregnant..I was just lucky to have no probs in that department...good luck

seattleview · Answer

You will find plenty of women, including me, who are 35+ and have had babies without down syndrome or any complications/problems.

kellym · Answer

I think it is VERY common to be having children around 35. My Dr. seems the term "advanced maternal age" for woman 35 is silly. Anyways, sure we have increased risks because our eggs are a bit older and they need to put the cut-off at an age but I am 37 and will deliver at 38 and think if you want one more, go for it!!

Lisb74 · Answer

Sorry hit post button by mistake.
What I wanted to say that you have good chances. I am 36 yo and i am 27 weeks. So far everything has been OK, thanks God, so we are now waiting to meet our little princess.
Best luck to you!

Lisb74 · Answer

Sadly always something can go wrong. But being pregnant over 35 yo it's very common. As you will see in this forum there are a lot of nice stories and in many cases with older than 35.
Off course chances of complications increase since our fertility cycle is not in it's peak. but again