Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGeriatric PregnancyAssociated RisksAssociated BenefitsHealthy Pregnancy TipsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Geriatric Pregnancy
Associated Risks
Associated Benefits
Healthy Pregnancy Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Pregnancy can be an exciting but challenging time in a person’s life. It is possible to become pregnant at age 35 or older, but this may carry some risk.This is known as a pregnancy of advanced maternal age (formerly referred to as a geriatric pregnancy).
This article will discuss advanced maternal age pregnancy, risks associated with pregnancy at this age, and how to have a healthy pregnancy at 35 or older.
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What Is a Geriatric Pregnancy?
“Geriatric pregnancy” is a term once used to describe a pregnancy for a person over 35.
However, a more appropriate term is “pregnancy of advanced maternal age.” There is no universal definition for advanced maternal age, but typically it is considered a pregnancy over age 35.
In recent decades, there has been a rise in births to those of advanced maternal age. This may be due to people delaying childbearing for careers or financial security.
Reproductive technologies have also resulted in a larger window in which females can reproduce, which is also associated with an increase in the number of pregnant people of advanced maternal age.
Risks of Pregnancy After Age 35
Miscarriage
A miscarriage is when a fetus dies before 20 weeks. While there are many potential causes of miscarriage, pregnant people of advanced maternal age are at an increased risk of miscarriage compared with their younger peers.
A 2019 study of more than 421,000 pregnancies found that the rate of miscarriage was lowest among those between ages 25 and 29 but rose significantly at 30. By 45, the risk was more than 53%.
How to Tell If You’re Having a Miscarriage
Conditions Present at Birth
What Is Down Syndrome?
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia typically occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy, in the third trimester. But it can also develop in the weeks following childbirth. Pregnant people of advanced maternal age are at moderate risk for preeclampsia.
Delivery Complications
Advanced maternal age is associated with a range of potential delivery complications, including:
Additional Risks
Advanced maternal age may also be associated with other risks, including:
What Gestational Age Tells You About Your Delivery Date
Benefits of Pregnancy After Age 35
While advanced maternal age is associated with risk, there are also benefits to pregnancy at a later age.
These include:
Having a Healthy Pregnancy After Age 35
There are many steps people can take to have a healthy advanced maternal age pregnancy. These include:
How to Get Pregnant Fast
Summary
“Geriatric pregnancy” is an outdated term that refers to a pregnancy for a person 35 or older. A more appropriate term is “pregnancy of advanced maternal age.”
A pregnancy in a person 35 years old or older carries some risks for both the pregnant person and fetus. This includes pregnancy and birth complications, as well as the possibility of conditions present at birth.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and consulting regularly with a healthcare provider can help ensure a healthy pregnancy at 35 or older.
A Word From Verywell
Pregnancy can be exciting but daunting. If you are considering a pregnancy and are 35 or older, reach out to a healthcare provider for advice. They will be able to help you during this exciting journey.
Frequently Asked QuestionsPregnancy over 35 (an advanced maternal age pregnancy) is associated with many adverse outcomes for pregnant person and child, including:Low birth weightChromosomal defectsPreterm birthC-sectionLabor complicationsFor these reasons, a pregnancy of advanced maternal age is considered high risk.Learn MoreHigh-Risk PregnancyIn recent decades, the rate of pregnancies of advanced maternal age has been increasing. In 2017 in the United States:Age 35–39: 52.3 births per 1,000 womenAge 40–44: 11.6 births per 1,000 womenAge 45 and over: 0.9 births per 1,000 womenIn 2017 in the United States, birth rates decreased among females between ages 15 and 29 but increased for females 40 to 44. There were 840 births to those over age 50.Geriatric pregnancy is an outdated term. The more appropriate term is an advanced maternal age pregnancy. This refers to a pregnancy for those 35 or over.
Pregnancy over 35 (an advanced maternal age pregnancy) is associated with many adverse outcomes for pregnant person and child, including:Low birth weightChromosomal defectsPreterm birthC-sectionLabor complicationsFor these reasons, a pregnancy of advanced maternal age is considered high risk.Learn MoreHigh-Risk Pregnancy
Pregnancy over 35 (an advanced maternal age pregnancy) is associated with many adverse outcomes for pregnant person and child, including:Low birth weightChromosomal defectsPreterm birthC-sectionLabor complicationsFor these reasons, a pregnancy of advanced maternal age is considered high risk.
Pregnancy over 35 (an advanced maternal age pregnancy) is associated with many adverse outcomes for pregnant person and child, including:
For these reasons, a pregnancy of advanced maternal age is considered high risk.
Learn MoreHigh-Risk Pregnancy
In recent decades, the rate of pregnancies of advanced maternal age has been increasing. In 2017 in the United States:Age 35–39: 52.3 births per 1,000 womenAge 40–44: 11.6 births per 1,000 womenAge 45 and over: 0.9 births per 1,000 womenIn 2017 in the United States, birth rates decreased among females between ages 15 and 29 but increased for females 40 to 44. There were 840 births to those over age 50.
In recent decades, the rate of pregnancies of advanced maternal age has been increasing. In 2017 in the United States:
In 2017 in the United States, birth rates decreased among females between ages 15 and 29 but increased for females 40 to 44. There were 840 births to those over age 50.
Geriatric pregnancy is an outdated term. The more appropriate term is an advanced maternal age pregnancy. This refers to a pregnancy for those 35 or over.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Women’s Health Network.What is a “geriatric pregnancy?” At 35, can I have a normal pregnancy?
American Academy of Family Physicians.Pregnancy after 35: advanced maternal age.
Magnus MC, Wilcox AJ, Morken N, Weinberg CR, HÃ¥berg SE.Role of maternal age and pregnancy history in risk of miscarriage: prospective register based study.BMJ.2019;364:l869. doi:10.1136/bmj.l869
March of Dimes.Pregnancy after age 35.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Preeclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Myrskylä M, Barclay K, Goisis A.Advantages of later motherhood.Gynakologe. 2017;50(10):767-772. doi:10.1007/s00129-017-4124-1
Bayrampour H, Heaman M, Duncan KA, Tough S.Advanced maternal age and risk perception: a qualitative study.BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2012;12:100. doi:10.1186/1471-2393-12-100
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National vital statistics reports.
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