Can I Get Pregnant if I'm Older Than 35-years-old?

Women who want to get pregnant, but are older than 35-years-old are commonly weary about possible complications if they become pregnant. There are many women who have given birth to healthy babies when they were in their late 30s and even 40s. However, there are a few risks to a pregnancy if the mother is over 35-years-old. There is an increased risk of hypertension, fertility problems, miscarriage, need for C-sections, and possible stillbirths after mid 30’s years. But fortunately most of the conditions can be corrected by appropriate treatment. Precautions will help you to improve both mother’s and baby’s health.

Tips to ensure your baby is healthy:

• Prenatal care – Regular care, particularly during the first eight weeks of pregnancy will ensure safe pregnancy and delivery of a healthy baby. Regular visits and screening will help the doctor to keep a check on the usual health conditions which women above the age of 35 have or develop. Any health conditions that require treatment can be monitored early enough.
• Special tests – Take up the recommended special tests which the doctor suggests for older women to ensure that the baby is free of genetic defects.
• Prenatal vitamins and supplements – Folic acid supplements are needed for all women in the childbearing age to prevent the chances of birth defects in the fetus.

Follow these tips to reduce the risk of complications occurring during your pregnancy:

• Be regular for prenatal visits – If you have any of the health conditions that may be a risk for the baby, like hypertension or diabetes, be regular for all doctor appointments. Try to keep the conditions under control before pregnancy so that you have increased chances of delivering a healthy baby. Not to forget the visit to dentist as well.
• Have a healthy diet – Ensure that you get good quality and quantity nutrients through a healthy diet. Include more of vegetables and fruits, and also calcium-rich foods in the diet.
• Gain recommended – Gaining appropriate amount of body weight will help the baby to grow slowly and reduces the risk of preterm delivery. Diabetes and blood pressure also can be kept under check by controlling the amount of weight gained.
• Quit smoking and avoid alcohol – That says it all! This will reduce the risk of a number of birth defects.
• Take recommended drugs – Know about the medications that you can safely take during pregnancy.