Becoming a parent at any age can be challenging, but it’s even more so when you’re an older adult. The average age of first-time moms in the U.S. has now increased from 21 to 26 and for first-time fathers, the age has gone up as well from 27 to 31. As we talk more about pregnancy as we increase in age, did you know that at least 54% of those in their 40’s and 50’s are the most likely to be right in the middle of having an aging parent and a young child of their own?
While it may seem quite rare, some people that are over 60 are also experiencing pregnancy for the first time. This just shows that many women (and men) are having kids later in life than ever before.
As we discuss later-life pregnancies, you may be wondering if there really is such a thing as “too old” to have a baby and how you should go about navigating that situation if you need to. Becoming pregnant as an older adult can bring its own set of complications and difficulties you might not see coming when you’re younger.
Keep reading as we go into a bit more detail about what you should be aware of in this case.
Why Is Pregnancy Riskier for Older Adults?
The main reason that pregnancy as an older adult is riskier than it would be for a younger adult is the risk of complications. Specifically speaking, babies of older mothers have a much higher risk of particular chromosomal conditions. According to Mayo Clinic, Down Syndrome is one of the conditions that infants of older adults may experience along with a much higher risk of pregnancy loss as well. This could be in the form of a stillbirth or a miscarriage and these are all reasons why maintaining your health as an older adult that may be expecting is so important.
Also, you will want to be transparent about any preexisting conditions you may have. For example, if you have a compromised immune system, this is something you will want to speak with your OBGYN and personal doctor about. If you have an autoimmune disease or a compromised immune system in any way, your body might mistake the fetus’s cells as a pathogen and attack both the fetus and placenta. This happens when autoantibodies cross the placenta.
As a pregnant woman, it’s important to stay on top of your health and be mindful of any bodily changes along with any conditions you may be actively working to maintain. All of this includes keeping an eye on your blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood work results when it’s needed. You also want to make sure you’re getting enough rest and eating a healthy diet. All of these factors play a big role in keeping you and your baby’s immune systems healthy and functioning properly while positively helping your general health and wellness.
Don’t Forget About Your Symptoms
Let’s clarify something here because many people assume that a geriatric pregnancy refers to seniors while in fact, a geriatric pregnancy refers to anyone over the age of 35. While advanced age doesn’t actually change pregnancy symptoms, you will generally have a higher risk for complications as we discussed and that is the main difference.
There isn’t any evidence that says your symptoms will be worse after age 40 but you will need to be aware of your medical history, the medications you’re taking, and if you would need any additional help post-birth.
If you’re an older adult and pregnant you could expect;
- Labor issues
- Potential organ damage
- Dangerously high blood pressure
While these are all risks, this isn’t to say that older adults can’t have successful pregnancies. In fact, a 74-year-old woman gave birth to twins in 2019 and a 66-year-old woman gave birth in 2005 and was considered to be the oldest verified mother at the time. While you might have a long journey ahead of you, one of the most important steps in a later-life pregnancy is to find a doctor who understands the challenges of geriatric pregnancies and who can help you navigate this new stage from start to delivery.
Top Tips for a Safer Pregnancy As an Older Adult
Manage Pre-Existing Conditions
If you currently have heart disease, diabetes, or even things like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, make sure that you manage those conditions. Things like high cholesterol may not seem like an urgent issue but it has actually been linked to things like increased chances of preterm deliveries and potential development of atherosclerosis. Speak with your physician to get your medication list in order as well.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Avoid eating too many high-fat, high-sugar foods, as these can increase your chances of developing gestational diabetes. Instead, to help prevent birth defects you should focus on fruits and veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins like eggs and fish. If you have aversions to specific foods, let your doctor know so you can get the nutrients you and your growing baby need in any way that you can.
Overall, you’re going to want to ensure that you are getting enough calcium, fiber, and iron. Additionally, do your best not to forget that choline, iodine, folic acid, and even copper are considered to be “must-have” nutrients for pregnant women.
Stay Active
You don’t have to join an exercise class every day, but you should be physically active regularly. This can help with preventing gestational diabetes, plus it can help you sleep better and reduce stress which will be beneficial in a geriatric pregnancy. A good place to start would be at least 30 minutes a day anywhere between three and four days a week.
Don’t Forget Your Prenatal Vitamins
According to the CDC, it’s suggested that expectant mothers over 35 take at least 400 micrograms of B Vitamin Folic Acid. This will help to prevent things like neural tube birth defects. An example would be spina bifida. If you’re an older adult and you are actively planning to become pregnant, consider starting taking this vitamin at least 2 or 3 months beforehand.
Stay Hydrated
You need more water than the average person would need if you’re expecting. During pregnancy, your blood volume increases anywhere between 20% and 100% although it will usually teeter around 45%. This can lead to things like swelling and constipation. If you do something as simple as drinking plenty of water, you can help prevent these issues, as well as preventing dehydration.
Consuming an adequate amount of water helps to form amniotic fluid. It even helps with extra blood production and enhances digestion. Not to mention, staying fully hydrated will flush waste and toxins while also helping to build new tissue.
Don’t Be Discouraged, Be Prepared
If you’re an older adult and you’re expecting, know that pregnancy at any age can be difficult and while it may be a bit more rare to have a later-life pregnancy, it’s not impossible to have a healthy and successful delivery for both you and your child. For the most part, expectant parents of any age can expect the same things when it comes to having a baby, but some things are going to be a little different as you get older such as the potential complications you may experience.
If you’re an older adult and pregnant, start by contacting your physician and create a care plan that will help you navigate your pregnancy while promoting sustained health and wellness.
