Evidence on Advanced Maternal Age

We are thrilled to announce that we have updated the research information on one of our most popular articles, the Evidence on Advanced Maternal Age.

My mom had her first baby at the age of 19, and that was "normal" back then. But today, it seems like delaying pregnancy until your 30s or older is becoming the norm. All around the world, the average age at first birth is going up and reaching record highs! So needless to say, the topic of "Advanced Maternal Age" affects a LOT of people!

In today's podcast, I share the recording from our webinar on AMA that will include the actual statistics on the health outcomes for people who are pregnant at 35 and older. The recording also includes some storytelling and discussion of the implications of this research data.

Hopefully, the information in the podcast and the Signature Article will be helpful either to you or someone you know. Feel free to forward this article to anyone you think might be interested!

Content warning: We will talk about statistics on stillbirth, newborn death, and gestational mortality, as well as the effects of racism on stillbirth.

Resources:

[current-resident]

I had a still birth at 27. I had major complications at 29. At 37 and 39 my pregnancies were much easier, and I was fatter and in worse shape.
My great grandmother gave birth to my grandmother at 47 in 1920.

[HouseofWeh]

I’m 38. Pregnant with first child. Pregnancy has been a breeze. I’m glowing like I’ve never seen. All tests/scans/evals look perfect. I feel great. And have indeed hired a doula and midwife for my expected unmedicated natural birth. #inthefaaace

[afrotakusama]

I was looking for answers and being a childless 35 year old Black woman, I am very happy that you shed some light on the racial disparities. This video did give me hope because I have been sad that I haven't been blessed with a child yet. I have a much better education and also a better feeling about myself. Thank you for this informative video. I

[joshgeyer]

Thank you so much for this video. We are terrified. First baby and wife is 41 years young. Very scared but this was helpful

[kehbellakeh]

I was 20 with twins and experienced intrauterine growth restriction. But had my youngest at a older age and he was perfectly fine thank goodness

[ckfodel]

36 yrs old, 37 wks with first child. Very disappointed with obgyn care thus far. Felt disrespected and ignored when questioning the increase of ultrasounds starting at 36 wks bc aside from my age, I have had a healthy pregnancy. They basically fear mongered stating that potential placenta problems require the antenatal fetal surveillance, increased risk of still birth. When I pointed out that the last 2 scans showed everything looked great and on target I was told that can change at any time. While I understand that is possible, I don't appreciate being excluded from shared decision making and my concerns essentially being ignored. Also, ACOG opinion states that age alone 35-39 isn't sufficient evidence to support the surveillance when other risks are not present. Unfortunately I didnt have that printed to show them then and there, but I shouldn't even have to. Praying for a healthy and positive birth.

[cbr]

Great podcast. In France I heard the term "geriatric pregnancy" (I was not included / ftm at 29-30 yo) and I disliked this term.
I'm not sure about my source but I heard that most of doctors here still relies on datas related to fertility which are quite old (from the 60s).

[kehbellakeh]

Bias terms used to undermine the POWER of women and our bodies elderly, advanced mat age old geriatric . For both younger and older women it's an insult.

I met a doctor in Mexico who said western world thinking for pregnancy in late 30s and up is so different in Mexico. Meaning that it's normal for older women to become pregnant after 35 and 40. Whereas here it's seen as a medical condition .

[cheesecake]

I'm almost 45 years old. Didn't have a child because of many problems like having no money (while, many people don't see this as a problem, which I find it ridiculous) and many other things that a couple needs to receive a child and make a good parenting.

But I really think I'm really old to do it.. The possibility of having a child with genetic problems is high and it is a Russian roulette..

Having 1 in 23 risk of having a down syndrome baby is really not great... I mean, just for that I prefer not have any.
In my country they call it "Geriatric pregnancy". That's awful.. but I see many people saying to me that I should do it (all mothers, that wants me to share their grief over motherhood with them)

[sarahloomis]

“Mature pregnancy” doesn’t carry the negative connotations of all the others for me. I don’t mind that one.

[reannastar]

I am 37 and having #7....feeling great

[runningfromabear]

Interesting about absolute risk and about using an egg donor. I'm 41 and we decided to have our 4th child 12 years after our third was born but struggled to get pregnant. After getting checked out, we have male factor infertility and are opting for donor sperm. IVF is going really well right now but I've been very nervous about my age and what this will mean for us. I had a home birth at 28 years old but I saw the stats for c-sections and was sad that I likely won't be healthy enough for a home birth or even natural birth. I was induced with 2 kids but didn't have painkillers or epidurals. I'd really like to have a natural birth again if possible. I feel a little more hopeful after watching this.

[victoriaortiz]

Im 35 and pregnant with my second idk how I feel about the term geriatric I feel old but dang

[UnderneathHerSkin]

This is interesting to know because I fear having a child now because I am 37 and have lost through miscarriage and a still birth.

[CathySenpai]

Does the number of genetic risks include miscarriage due to genetic abnormalities?

[kylesadirtbag]

A lot of these statistics are skewed. The age groups should be as followed: 18-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40+.
I feel that it doesn’t do the female youth justice when an 18-year-old is being compared to a 34-year-old, despite the 18 year old probably starting puberty anywhere from 5to 8 years earlier and the 34 year old has spent most of her life sexually mature; around 21 to 24 years after puberty.
I don’t think that this is fair to young women, and I think that their statistics as regard to successful pregnancies and healthy pregnancies would be much more successful if their metrics were grouped together in the age ranges that I mentioned earlier; more specifically the 18 to 29 year old age group.
I don’t think it’s fair to compare somebody who is halfway through her 30s to a person who hasn’t graduated high school yet.
When talking on the subject that involves youth, age obviously matters; as explained in the video.
Food for thought.

[Nathan-lxgl]

My 32 year old friends mom just gave birth to her half baby brother at age 57