At what age are you considered a high risk pregnancy??

[lovethebops]

I just found out my cousin is a few weeks pregnant ahead of me. I was wondering at what age are you considered high risk? Is it 35 or 40? she is 38..Also, if you are considered high risk, what extra things must you go through (test, procedures,etc) in your pregnancy? I was just curious..thanks

[pertykitty]

im 35 and im not high risk. i dont think age makes you high risk (ok maybe at 50) but history and your health ect.  i will probably have some genetic testing done, but that doesnt mean i am highly increased for problems. downs does increas a bit at 35, but not high. im 13 weeks and so far everything is great!

[marsxp]

i think it's 35... but you could be considered high risk also even when you're younger  when you have medical problems..... the things doctors are concerned about are heart conditions, diabetes etc.... im not really sure what other stuff you should screen for... but thats as far as i know.....

[RunningL8]

I was told it was age 35, which seems hard to believe these days, given how many women are postponing motherhood.  In the first trimester, she should be sure her progesterone levels are being checked.

[mami1323]

I think 35 is considered the high risk....I'm not sure it's high risk or just more of a chance of having a baby with Down's.  

[lovethebops]

That is what I thought..35.
It is hard to believe, since most women now wait until their 30's or later to have children.
Thank you for clearing that up for me! :)

[lovethebops]

Thanks perty- My best friend had her daughter 4 years ago and she was 38, had no problems, gave birth at home, and had a VERY healthy 10 lb'er baby girl. She was completely healthy otherwise, and had had another little girl 2 years before. They considered her high risk due to her age, to her dismay. She is very active and healthy and doesn't act her age...she has more energy than me in my twenties!

I was wondering because my mom mentioned my cousin's pregnancy to me, and we were having a conversation about what age was high risk. I thought it was 35, my mom thought 40. Just thought I would ask to clear it up...thats all.

[mlb1234]

I am 37 and also not high risk, will be 38 at delivery.  I think you are only high risk if you have other conditions like hypertension or diabetes.  If you are relatively healthy they may just watch you a little closer after age 35y.

[myrasue34]

I dont think I am high risk, but when I was at the Dr and had to bring a form over from the ultra sound tech it said ADVANCED MATERNAL AGE. Im 34. When is it advanced maternal age? What the %&*%?

[MayaPepi]

It is 35, and this is primarily due to the fact that at 35 the decline in female fertility rapidly accelerates, and hence it is more difficult to conceive or carry pregnancy to full term after 35.  

Many of us may look, feel and act much younger than our age, with lots of energy to boot; unfortunately none of this changes the fact that our eggs are how chronologically old we are. Can't really make our eggs more youthful, healthier and better looking by exercising, eating wheatgrass or slathering expensive cream like we could with the rest of our body...