Healthy Pregnancy after Age 35
Most healthy women from age 35 into their 40s have healthy pregnancies. Good care and healthy habits before the baby is born can help you lower some risks. If problems do happen, care is possible in most cases.
Older women may find it harder to get pregnant than younger women because fertility falls with age. But in many cases, infertility can be treated.
Prenatal care is even more important for women over 35 because they are more likely to experience high blood pressure and diabetes for the first time during pregnancy. Be sure to talk to your doctor about prenatal screening tests. In most cases, women age 35 and older are offered testing for genetic disorders and other health problems before and during pregnancy.
Women over age 35 have a raised risk of:
- Fertility problems
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Miscarriage
- Cesarean section
- Premature birth
- Stillbirth
- A baby with a genetic disorder
No matter what your age, see your doctor before trying to get pregnant if you have a long term health condition, such as diabetes, a seizure disorder or high blood pressure.
Members can log in to their Blue Access for MembersSM account for more healthy pregnancy information.
Sources: March of Dimes 
, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
