There's a higher risk of complications associated with pregnancy after age 35.
Increased Risks After 35
After age 35, the risk of pregnancy complications increases significantly. This is due to several factors impacting both the mother and the developing fetus.
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Higher Risk of Chromosomal Conditions: The risk of the baby having chromosomal conditions like Down syndrome increases significantly with maternal age. This is a key reason why age 35 is often considered a threshold for increased risk.
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Increased Chance of C-Section: The likelihood of requiring a Cesarean section (C-section) delivery rises with maternal age, often due to complications during labor and delivery.
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Other Potential Complications: While not exclusive to this age group, older mothers may face a heightened risk of other pregnancy-related complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), and postpartum depression.
While pregnancy is possible and healthy at various ages, the data clearly shows a marked increase in the risk of certain complications after the age of 35. It's crucial for women to be aware of these potential risks and discuss them thoroughly with their healthcare provider before and during pregnancy. Individual health profiles vary, and risk factors can be influenced by several other elements beyond just age.
