How Prenatal Care Changes When You’re Over 35

Women are getting pregnant later in life, many over 35. As you get older, your pregnancy risks increase. Read on to learn more about pregnancy after 35 and how prenatal care changes for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Advanced maternal age isn’t something any woman wants to hear — but it’s the term for women who are trying to or are pregnant after 35. At this age, there are more risks to you and the baby, although it’s not impossible to achieve a healthy and happy pregnancy.

Prenatal care changes significantly after age 35 to ensure you and your baby are safe and healthy. At Artemis OB/GYN in Union, New Jersey, Dr. Nicola Pemberton and her team prioritize you and your baby during pregnancy.

Dr. Pemberton is an experienced OB/GYN specializing in high-risk pregnancies, obstetrics, and infertility treatments to help you achieve your dream of being a mom.

Pregnancy after 35

You can get pregnant as long as you have viable eggs and are ovulating, which can happen into your mid-forties. However, it gets more challenging to get pregnant as you age, especially after 35.

Most women are more fertile in their late teens, twenties, and early thirties. As you reach age 35, fertility naturally declines as your eggs age and hormones begin to change. However, getting pregnant after 35 isn’t impossible; it just comes with some extra risks and possible complications.

Women over 35 are at risk for various complications, including gestational diabetes, premature birth, and preeclampsia. It’s also more likely to need a cesarean section rather than a vaginal birth with advanced maternal age.

Because of egg health, women over 35 are also at risk of having a child with chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome.

After 35, women are also more likely to have medical problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, which may contribute to pregnancy issues and fertility.

Although pregnancy after 35 has its challenges, advances in care and prenatal appointments can help ensure a healthy baby and a successful pregnancy.

How prenatal care differs after 35

Prenatal care is essential at any age, but it becomes particularly necessary after the age of 35. Although many practices are the same, there are a few things that differ when you’re at an advanced maternal age.

As a pregnant woman over 35, you can expect your prenatal care to be a bit more detailed. A few of the things you can expect include:

More appointments

After 35, you can expect more frequent appointments to ensure you and the baby are healthy. More frequent check-ins and screenings are necessary after the age of 35, but especially after the age of 40.

Increased fetal monitoring

Because your baby also has higher risks after 35, we offer more frequent fetal monitoring. It may mean more frequent ultrasounds and other checks to ensure your baby is thriving and developing correctly.

More genetic screenings

We offer more genetic screenings for women over age 35 due to the increased risk of chromosomal disorders. Other screenings are also available to ensure your health is okay and to check your baby for genetic disorders.

Enhanced ultrasounds

After age 35, we may recommend more frequent and detailed ultrasounds. The anatomy scan at 20 weeks may be more thorough to ensure the baby is growing correctly. We also recommend a third-trimester ultrasound to check for potential complications before delivery.

Closer management of health issues

Women over 35 are more likely to have chronic health problems that could affect pregnancy. We closely monitor you to ensure you’re taking safe medications for your baby and that the condition is well-controlled to prevent complications.

Earlier screening for gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a risk for any pregnant woman, but it’s especially troublesome for women over 35. We may recommend screening earlier in the first trimester to check for diabetes and help ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Keeping your prenatal appointments is essential for a happy, healthy pregnancy at any age, especially as you get older. We do everything we can to ensure you have an uneventful pregnancy and delivery.

To book an appointment for a prenatal check-up, call or message our office in Union, New Jersey, today, or schedule a consultation using our convenient online booking feature.