Signs of Pregnancy at Age 50

While many women who are 50 have gone through menopause, some women are still perimenopausal at this age. As such, it isn't unheard of for a 50-year-old woman to get pregnant. Knowing the signs of pregnancy at 50, which are similar to those of pregnancy at any age, enables you to seek medical care as early into the pregnancy as possible.

Missed Menstrual Period

A missed menstrual period may not be noticed by some women over 50 who are in perimenopause because the menstrual cycle becomes abnormal and unpredictable. However, some women may have regular periods, even at age 50, and this will make it possible for the woman to notice the missed period. Some women may experience light spotting, called implantation bleeding, one to two weeks following conception when the embryo attaches to the uterus.

Morning Sickness

Often, the first sign of pregnancy a woman who is 50 will notice is morning sickness. This is because of the unlikeliness of her noticing a missed menstrual cycle. This is often worsened by the extreme fatigue that is common in pregnancy. Morning sickness can occur as soon as one week after conception, and is often worse for a woman who is 50 than a woman in her 20s. Eating light snacks, such as crackers or nuts upon awakening and throughout the day can help to minimize this sign of pregnancy.

Increased Temperature

You may notice a slight rise in your temperature around the time of ovulation. If this reading stays elevated beyond the time of your ovulation, you may be pregnant. This rise in temperature can be as little as one-tenth of a degree and may cause facial flushing. Along with this rise in temperature, a 50 year old woman may experience hot flashes.

Breast Changes

Following conception, hormonal changes, which are often more pronounced in a woman who is 50 than in a younger woman, may cause your breasts to become sore, tender or swollen. Unlike when these symptoms are associated with premenstrual syndrome, these symptoms won't go away. These signs may accompanied by darkening of the areola. Additionally, a woman who is 50 may notice abnormal hair growth on the breasts as a result of the fluctuating hormone levels associated with pregnancy at an advanced age.

Tests

A positive pregnancy test is another sign of pregnancy at age 50. Additionally, hearing fetal heart tones or seeing a fetus on a sonogram are also conclusive signs of pregnancy at age 50. In some cases, these are the only noticeable signs of pregnancy, as many other signs are often attributed to other conditions, such as menopause.

Warning Signs

Ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages are more common in older women than in younger women. The signs of these two conditions include severe abdominal cramping, vaginal bleeding, fever and passage of pink-gray matter from the vagina. These conditions can be life threatening and require emergency medical attention.