How old is too old to get pregnant? What do you think of when you hear the words advanced maternal age?
When I was in my 20’s, I swore that I would never have a baby after the age of 35. I was naïve. I didn’t give birth to my first child until I was 32.
It was a very easy pregnancy. I was completely healthy throughout the entire pregnancy and had no complications.
There was one small complication, when we went to our first birthing class; I was told that I was considered of advanced maternal age. What does that even mean? Advanced maternal age is usually in reference to a woman giving birth to her first child after the age of 35 and an elevated risk in birth defects.
I was 31 when I got pregnant and it was a serious reality check to be called a woman of advanced maternal age. Since then, I have had another child. I was 34 when I gave birth. Again, I had a very easy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Befuddling to me, consistently every year since my last delivery, my OB/GYN has asked me, almost urged me, to have another baby. Her reasoning: I am a healthy woman who has easy pregnancies and healthy babies. I’ve even moved and had 3 other OB/GYN doctors since my first child was born and each one has urged me to have yet another baby.
Has advanced maternal age become less of a factor in pregnancy? Are my OB/GYNs getting bonuses for older women having babies? Is there a new trend of high-risk pregnancies? What do you think constitutes advanced maternal age? Would you have a first baby after 35? Do you think it’s less high risk if you’ve already given birth to a baby before 35?
Photo Source: KatinaLynn
