Pregnancy can be an exciting but challenging time in a person’s life.
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What Is a Geriatric Pregnancy?
“Geriatric pregnancy” is a term once used to describe a pregnancy for a person over 35.
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However, a more appropriate term is “pregnancy of advanced maternal age.”
In recent decades, there has been a rise in births to those of advanced maternal age.
This may be due to people delaying childbearing for careers or financial security.
Those of advanced age when pregnant are at greater risk of complications.
Miscarriage
A miscarriage is when a fetus dies before 20 weeks.
By 45, the risk was more than 53%.
It is characterized byhigh blood pressureand elevated protein levels in the urine.
Liver and kidney damage may occur.
Preeclampsia typically occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy, in the third trimester.
But it can also develop in the weeks following childbirth.
Pregnant people of advanced maternal age are at moderate risk for preeclampsia.
A more appropriate term is “pregnancy of advanced maternal age.”
This includes pregnancy and birth complications, as well as the possibility of conditions present at birth.
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In recent decades, the rate of pregnancies of advanced maternal age has been increasing.
There were 840 births to those over age 50.
Geriatric pregnancy is an outdated term.
The more appropriate term is an advanced maternal age pregnancy.
This refers to a pregnancy for those 35 or over.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Having a baby after age 35: how aging affects fertility and pregnancy.
Cleveland Clinic.Advanced maternal age.
2021;13:751-759. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S283216
American Academy of Family Physicians.Pregnancy after 35: advanced maternal age.
doi:10.1136/bmj.l869
March of Dimes.Pregnancy after age 35.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Preeclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Myrskyla M, Barclay K, Goisis A.Advantages of later motherhood.Gynakologe.
2012;12:100. doi:10.1186/1471-2393-12-100
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National vital statistics reports.
