Pregnancy After 35: Health Tips and Having a Healthy Baby as an Older Mom

Getting pregnant after age 35 used to be rare. But today, more and more women are waiting until their 30s or even 40s to have babies. While fertility does decline with age, more women over 35 are able to conceive through natural or assisted means.

However, pregnancy after 35 is considered higher risk. Risks of complications, like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, do increase as you get older. There’s also a higher chance of chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome.

But with proper prenatal care and healthy lifestyle choices, it’s absolutely possible to have a healthy pregnancy and baby over 35. Here are tips to help optimize your chances of a safe pregnancy and delivery.

Get in Optimal Health Before Pregnancy

The time to start focusing on your health is before you get pregnant. Here are some important preconception health tips:

• See your doctor for a full checkup. Make sure any existing conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes are under control. Get up to date on vaccinations.
• Take prenatal vitamins with at least 400 mcg of folic acid daily. Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube birth defects.
• Eat a nutritious diet full of lean proteins, fresh fruits/veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats. Stay hydrated and limit junk food.
• Exercise regularly to achieve or maintain a healthy weight. Even light exercise like walking provides benefits. Check with your doctor first.
• Review all medications with your doctor and stop any that could be harmful, like certain acne medications.
• Stop unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive alcohol, and drug use, which are especially risky during pregnancy.

Starting pregnancy in optimal health gives you and baby the best shot at avoiding complications.

Understand the Risks of Pregnancy After 35

There are increased risks that come with getting pregnant later in life. Being aware allows you to monitor symptoms and get the right care when necessary. Some top risks include:

• Gestational diabetes – Caused by pregnancy hormones, this type of diabetes is more common in women over 35. It requires blood sugar monitoring and management.
• Preeclampsia – Characterized by high blood pressure and protein in urine, this condition is also more prevalent with advanced maternal age. It can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
• Multiple pregnancy – The use of IVF and other fertility treatments raises the chance of conceiving multiples like twins or triplets, which is riskier.
• Birth defects – The risk of chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome increases dramatically after 35. Testing helps detect this early.

Discuss your specific risk factors with your healthcare providers so you understand what to watch for. Additional prenatal screening and monitoring will likely be recommended.

Find an Experienced OB Specializing in High-Risk Pregnancies

Choosing the right obstetrician is key for pregnancy after 35. Look for:

• An OB with extensive experience caring for older moms-to-be. Ask about their training and success rates.
• Someone you feel comfortable with and can be open and honest with about concerns.
• A practice prepared to provide greater monitoring with advanced maternal age. More frequent visits and testing are often warranted.
• Hospital privileges at a facility equipped to handle high-risk deliveries in case complications arise.

Finding a knowledgeable OB you trust provides reassurance as you navigate pregnancy risks after 35. Be ready to visit your doctor more frequently for evaluation.

Listen to Your Body During Pregnancy

Make sure to tune in closely to your body’s signals during pregnancy. Don’t ignore potential warning signs:

• Report any spotting or bleeding right away, as it could signal risk.
• Note changes in baby’s movement patterns – lessened movement can indicate distress.
• Don’t dismiss swelling, headaches, vision changes or other signs that could point to preeclampsia.
• Pay attention to symptoms like cramping, dizziness, rapid weight gain that seem abnormal.
• Don’t tough out severe nausea/vomiting – stay hydrated and ask about anti-nausea meds.
• Rest as needed – don’t feel like you need to push yourself to keep up with younger expectant moms!

Staying intimately connected with your body helps detect issues requiring prompt medical care.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Double down on healthy habits during pregnancy:

• Eat a pregnancy superfood diet full of lean proteins, fruits/veggies, whole grains, yogurt, nuts, etc. Supplement prenatals.
• Stay active with walking, swimming, prenatal yoga and other safe exercises recommended by your practitioner.
• Get adequate rest. Naps help make up for lost sleep from trips to the bathroom at night!
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol.
• Reduce stress through meditation, prenatal massage and other relaxation techniques. High cortisol levels from chronic stress affect pregnancy.

A healthy, low-stress lifestyle gives your body the tools to nurture a growing baby.

Prepare for Labor and Delivery

To get ready for your birth experience after 35:

• Take childbirth education classes to learn about the process and pain relief options.
• Understand your increased chance of cesarean delivery, especially if you’ve had a prior c-section. Discuss preferences with your doctor.
• Ask about epidural anesthesia – this common pain relief method is generally safe and often recommended for older mothers.
• Have your partner or support team ready to advocate for you during and after delivery.
• For C-sections, plan for a longer recovery time and have help lined up at home.

Proper planning and support help you handle labor and the postpartum period after an older pregnancy.

Be Ready for Potential Special Needs

The odds of having a baby with special needs like Down syndrome increase after 35:

• Understand your personal risk by discussing screening options like cell-free DNA tests with your practitioner. Diagnostic tests like amniocentesis are also available.
• If testing detects an abnormality, meet with a genetic counselor and specialist to understand next steps.
• Connect with support groups and other families navigating a similar situation. You are not alone!

While most older mothers will have healthy babies, it’s important to emotionally prepare yourself for the chance of disabilities requiring extra care.

Cherish Your Miracle Baby!

Of course, the most joyful part of later-in-life motherhood is finally meeting your baby! Be sure to:

• Promote attachment and bonding through breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, responding promptly to cries. This helps baby develop a secure foundation.
• Take time to recover and adjust to a newborn’s demanding schedule. Accept help from loved ones.
• Savor every moment, even the exhausting ones! The aches and pains fade, and you’ll miss these precious early days.

Having a baby after 35 makes you appreciate this time even more. Your age and experience simply provide you more wisdom to savor your little miracle!

The Takeaway: Prioritize Your Health for a Successful Pregnancy After 35

While pregnancy after 35 is considered high risk, you can absolutely increase your chances of a healthy experience by:

• Getting in great shape pre-conception
• Understanding potential risks and following your OB’s recommendations
• Choosing an experienced doctor to monitor you closely
• Tuning in to your body and never ignoring worrisome symptoms
• Maintaining healthy habits like diet, exercise and stress relief
• Planning for labor/delivery and possible special needs

Take charge of your health, lean on your loved ones, and remember – 35 is just a number! With the right care, you can have the joyful, healthy pregnancy you desire.