considering another baby at 44

What are the risks if I were to try to get pregnant within a year of having my fifth child at 44?
We would like to have one more child, but it would have to be right away.
Are there increased risks of maternal complications?
All my other pregnancies were normal, vaginal births (all prior to 37 weeks).



This discussion is related to Help with pregnancy.

[AnnieBrooke]

The problem would not necessarily be maternal complications, but you are bucking longer odds for the child in terms of Downs and other issues.  My neighbor has seven kids, and though she was only 41 when she had the last one, he does have Downs.  So there is no particular protection in having had a long string of kids without it, once you get to a certain age.  She is not worried that her son has Downs, it's just a different set of challenges, and if you would feel that way too, go for it.

[StephanieMH8]

My mom had me at the age of 40.  As a special ed. teacher, I have learned that the risk of having a child with down syndrome is higher for women at mid age and it's sometimes harder to conceive.  Otherwise, if your doc says you're healthy enough go for it, they will probably just test your fluid while you're pregnant for the down syndrome.