Pregnancy After Midlife: When Does One Become 'Too Old' for Pregnancy?

A Tasmanian woman has just recently delivered a baby at the age of 63 and an Indian woman became a first time parent at the age if 70. Now the question is not about their being ready to be parents at such age but how did the pregnancy go through? Were there complications at all?

One in 1000 births happen to women to women who just passed through mid-life stage, which 45 years or older. Women who are over 30 years are likely to suffer from high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia) during pregnancy than those who are under 30s. They are also twice as likely to have gestational diabetes. There is 50 percent possibility for women in their 40s to deliver the baby through caesarean section. Those in their 40s and 50s are more likely to die during pregnancy or delivery by 3 and 6 times probability.

Women who are pregnant in their 40s and 50s are possible to have diseases (especially for multiple pregnancy) are gestational diabetes, placenta praevia, placental abruption, and pre-eclampsia as mentioned above. The possibility for having a child with down syndrome is possible for pregnancy at any age with the following probability are presented by BabyCentre:

age 20: one in 1,500

age 30: one in 900

age 40: one in 100

age 45: one in 50 or greater

Laboring will be really a hard process for older women. Some of the reasons will be an awkward position at birth, an increased risk of fetal distress, and longer hours of labour. Having a baby as an "old lady" is not a problem for most medical practitioners. They would always tell you to relax and not to stress yourself with the thought that you will not carry it through. Of course you will. Here are some things from WebMD that you should do to conquer the great challenge of being pregnant after Midlife and see your miracle come through:

1. Get preconception checkups and counseling

2. Get early and regular prenatal care

3. Consider optional prenatal tests

4. Keep up with doctor appointments

5. Maintain a healthy-well balanced diet

6. Gain the recommended amount of weight

7. Excercise regularly

8. Don't smoke or drink