Women who give birth at or after the age of 35 are classified as advanced maternal age by obstetricians. This label is given because the age of 35 is when many risk factors increase regarding the health of both the mother and the baby. Women who are 35 years of age or older and desire to become pregnant are encouraged to lead as healthy of a lifestyle as possible and consider genetic testing when pregnancy is achieved.
Genetic Abnormalities
Women giving birth at or beyond the age of 35 have an increased risk of giving birth to a child with genetic or chromosomal abnormalities. The Mayo Clinic notes that women in this age group have a 1 in 400 chance of having a child with Down Syndrome, whereas the risk is 1 in 759 for 30-year-old mothers. Other chromosomal abnormalities are Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18 as well as Klinefelter Syndrome.
Autism
According to the University of Utah Health Care System, women 35 and older have an increased risk of giving birth to a child with autism. The risk of autism is 1.7 times higher with women in this age group than in younger mothers.
Maternal Health Complications
Aside from possible health problems with the baby, women 35 and older are also at an increased risk of developing health problems themselves during pregnancy. The March of Dimes explains that these mothers have a greater chance of developing blood pressure problems during pregnancy and their risk of developing diabetes is higher than in younger mothers. Mothers 35 and older also have a greater chance of having an undiagnosed underlying medical condition that increases the risk of maternal death.
Pregnancy Complications
A pregnancy complication such as placenta previa is more likely to occur in women of advanced maternal age, notes the March of Dimes. Placenta previa occurs when the placenta is low lying on the uterine wall, and may even cover the entire cervix, requiring a c-section birth. Premature delivery, stillbirth and the need for a surgical birth also increase as women age. George Mussalli, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist with Baby Center also adds that the risk of placental abruption, or an abnormal separation of the placenta from the uterus, increases at the age of 35.
