Some doctors still use the term geriatric pregnancy, more often they refer to a pregnancy after 35 as “advanced maternal age”.
When doctors use the term “geriatric pregnancy,” it can seem a little off-putting. After all, you aren’t retirement age or beyond, and you feel every bit the picture of vibrant health. But medically, anyone who becomes pregnant after the age of 35 has a geriatric pregnancy.
It’s important to know the reasons behind both terms. As women mature beyond their mid-30s, fertility begins to decline. As you get closer to menopause, your egg supply dwindles, and the remaining eggs become less viable due to the naturally occurring imbalance of hormones.
Potential Risks of A Geriatric Pregnancy
Not only do these age-related changes make conception difficult for many women, but they also increase the risk for birth defects and conditions impacting the mother’s health. For example, the risk for conceiving a child with Down syndrome at 25 is one in 1250. The risk increases to one in 400 at age 35 and 1 in 100 by age 40. That’s one of the reasons your age, along with other factors, may place you in a high-risk category.
Other age-related risks that may occur in a geriatric pregnancy:
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Genetic Abnormalities
- Pre-term Birth
- Placental Abruption
- Gestational Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Pre-Eclampsia
- Higher rate of C-Sections
- Increased chance for multiples, which brings additional risks.
While the medical community may dub your pregnancy as geriatric or advanced maternal age, your doctor considers all aspects of your overall health and other factors before considering your pregnancy high-risk. Age is only one consideration. Many women experience healthy pregnancies well into their 40s, avoiding age-related complications. However, your doctor may recommend tests related to your age. These tests are precautionary, and if you are in good health with no other risk factors, you likely have nothing to worry about.
Four Tests for A Geriatric Pregnancy
One way doctors ensure the safety of both mother and baby in a geriatric pregnancy is through special testing for those over 35. Prenatal care is essential to a healthy pregnancy, no matter what your age. But because of the increased risks associated with geriatric pregnancies, your physician will likely perform the following four screenings, and depending on the outcome, possibly more.
Genetic Screening
Genetic screening is the first test your doctor may recommend. Anyone, of any age, trying to conceive or already pregnant, should consider genetic screening. A genetic counselor maps all branches of your baby’s family tree to assess the genetic risks and specific conditions that may complicate your pregnancy. Based on the results of that screening, your doctor may want to delve further. That may mean additional genetic tests, such as a blood test or amniocentesis.
Level II Ultrasound
An ultrasound is part of prenatal care and routine in any pregnancy today. However, for a geriatric pregnancy, your doctor will likely want a more advanced level II ultrasound. The test usually occurs midway through your pregnancy, at about 18-20 weeks. The advanced ultrasound provides your doctor with vital information regarding your baby’s health. Through this technology, your doctor measures your baby’s growth, assesses their anatomy, measures amniotic fluid, and looks at your placenta.
Chorionic Villi Sampling
Your doctor orders Chorionic Villi Sampling, or CVS, based on the results of your genetic screening. The test uncovers the potential for genetic abnormalities and certain birth defects. The chorion is the fetal portion of the placenta from which your doctor draws the cells. The test takes place, usually, in your first trimester. When performed after the tenth week, there is minimal risk to your baby.
Biophysical Profile and Non-Stress Test
The fetal non-stress test measures your baby’s movement and heart rate by using a fetal monitor. The biophysical profile uses ultrasound to make sure all is progressing as it should. Typically performed around 32 weeks of gestation, the test assesses muscle tone, amniotic fluid, heart rate, and breathing.
Your doctor may include additional tests such as pre-eclampsia screening, which tests for protein in the urine and pregnancy-related hypertension, as well as gestational diabetes screening, which measures blood sugar. They may also order more advanced testing based on the outcome of the above four initial tests.
What You Can Do for A Healthy Pregnancy At Any Age
There are some steps you can take to ensure a healthy pregnancy at any age, and of course, we encourage you to do so. They are:
- Regular prenatal care, starting with a positive pregnancy test.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle. That includes no tobacco, alcohol, or recreational drugs. These substances increase the risk to your baby’s health. Also, maintain a healthy diet, get some exercise (with your doctor’s approval), focus on restorative healthy sleep, and do your best to manage stress.
- Make sure you tell your doctor about any medications you take, including over-the-counter meds. Also, inform your doctor about any supplements you may take.
- Speaking of supplements, be sure to take a supplement specifically formulated for a healthy pregnancy, but only with your doctor’s say-so.
Let Us Help
A healthy and successful outcome is the goal for any pregnancy journey, no matter your age. To that end, it is highly important to understand the risks that increase with maternal age. Many women over 35 have healthy pregnancies and deliver without incident. But it’s always a good idea to be aware of any potential issues, age-related or not.
If you are over the age of 35 and concerned about age-related pregnancy risks, or have tried to conceive for more than six consecutive months without success, it’s time to discuss your fertility and options for pregnancy. Our caring and compassionate staff of reproductive professionals is here to help. Contact LA IVF today and let us help you realize your dream of a happy, healthy family.
