Prenatal Care Is Important for Pregnancy After 35
Prenatal care is especially important for women over 35 because:

• They're more likely to get high blood pressure and diabetes for the first time during pregnancy.
• They're at increased risk of having a baby with a genetic disorder like Down syndrome, a combination of mental retardation and physical defects.

Women over 35 have a slightly increased risk of the following complications during pregnancy:

• Miscarriage: For women at age 40, the risk is about 25 percent.
• Placenta previa where the placenta is in the wrong position and covers the cervix: This can cause excessive bleeding during delivery. Often a cesarean section is needed.
• Fetal distress and prolonged labor if this is a woman's first pregnancy.
• A low birthweight baby (less than 5 1/2 pounds) or a preterm birth (less than 37 weeks of pregnancy): One way to reduce these risks is to not smoke during your pregnancy.

Women over 35 have a greater chance of having a cesarean delivery than do other women.

Healthy Habits for Pregnancy After 35
To help reduce risks during pregnancy:

• Eat healthy foods.
• Gain a healthy amount of weight.
• Exercise, with your health care provider's guidance.
• Don't drink alcohol, smoke or take illegal drugs.
• Don't take any medications or herbal supplements without first checking with your health care provider.

Prenatal Screening Tests for Pregnancy After 35
Ask your provider about prenatal screening tests for the baby. For instance, amniocentesis is often recommended for pregnant women 35 or older.

In amniocentesis, the health care provider inserts a thin needle through the woman's abdomen. A small amount of amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds and protects the baby) is removed and tested for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome or a specific genetic disorder for which the fetus is at risk. Test results are usually available within a week or two. Most women who have prenatal screening tests learn that the baby is healthy and feel reassured by the results.

Content courtesy of March of Dimes.