Advanced maternal age describes a woman who is 35 or older and pregnant. You’re more at risk for complications like miscarriage and having a baby with a congenital disorder. Screening tests can help detect certain congenital disorders.
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“Advanced maternal age” is a term that describes anyone who is 35 or older and pregnant. This is the age when your chances of pregnancy complications increase. Some of these complications are higher rates of miscarriage and a greater chance of having a baby with a genetic disorder. Advanced maternal age is the newer and preferred name for a geriatric pregnancy.
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Pregnancy care providers don’t treat pregnancy after 35 much differently than typical pregnancy. It’s mostly a label that means “keep an eye out” because they know your risk of complications is slightly higher.
Despite this, you can have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby after 35. Attending all of your prenatal check-ups and tests is more important than ever. This is how your pregnancy care provider can identify and treat potential problems as soon as possible.
Many women over 35 have healthy pregnancies and babies. But there is a greater risk of certain complications and health conditions. Some of those are:
Remember, these are just risks. Your overall health, access to prenatal care and lifestyle habits also play a huge role in your pregnancy.
The quality of your eggs declines as you age. This means that as your age goes up, your egg quality goes down. “Older” eggs are more likely to produce a baby with chromosomal anomalies. While these risks are still low, they increase with age. Prenatal screening tests in the first trimester check for many of these chromosomal anomalies.
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Another reason there are more complications after 35 is that your chances of developing most chronic medical conditions increase as you age. Your body simply responds to these conditions differently. For example, even a woman who isn’t pregnant is more likely to have high blood pressure at age 38 than at 28. These chronic medical conditions can affect pregnancy and delivery.
Most complications increase as you get older, with most occurring after 40.
Pregnancy care providers usually recommend prenatal genetic testing for women of advanced maternal age. These screenings can detect if your baby is at a higher risk for certain congenital or chromosomal conditions (present at birth).
Most tests use a blood sample, an ultrasound or both. Blood tests look for certain substances in your blood that may indicate a congenital condition. Ultrasounds look at measurements like nuchal translucency, which can be a sign of Down syndrome or other chromosomal conditions.
Remember, these tests are screenings, meaning they detect the possibility of a genetic condition.
If your provider detects an abnormality on a screening test, they’ll recommend diagnostic tests, like:
Pregnancy care providers may recommend that pregnant women over 35 have more frequent ultrasounds, an earlier gestational diabetes screening or more regular monitoring for preeclampsia.
Healthcare providers typically don’t treat you differently just because of your age. But if genetic tests indicate your baby may have a congenital or chromosomal disorder or you have a condition like gestational diabetes, your provider will take precautions to keep you safe. They may refer you to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. This is someone who specializes in higher-risk pregnancies. Other times, you may just need more frequent prenatal visits with your obstetrician to check on the fetus’s growth and well-being.
With advances in medical care and technology, most pregnancies in women over 35 are healthy and result in a healthy baby.
If you’re over 35 and pregnant (or think you will be), there may be some steps you can take now to lower your risk for pregnancy complications:
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Your chances of having a healthy baby are still much higher than your chances of miscarriage. Your chances of miscarriage increase with age:
Your pregnancy care provider is the best person to discuss possible complications with.
Starting a family is a personal decision, and many people choose to wait until later in life to have children. One of the benefits of having a baby later in life is having more life experience and financial stability. Couples are getting married later than they were decades ago. This means people may delay starting or expanding their families. About 20% of women in the U.S. now have their first child after age 35.
There isn’t one specific age. Having a healthy pregnancy is dependent on how healthy you are overall, not just how old you are.
But experts know that your chances of getting pregnant decline as you age. For example, by 40, your chance of getting pregnant naturally is about 10% each menstrual cycle. In your early 30s, your chances are around 25% each cycle.
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Most pregnancies after the age of 35 are healthy and successful. But it’s good to know about the potential complications with advanced maternal age pregnancies. Talk to your pregnancy care provider about what genetic screening tests they recommend or what you can do to stay healthy. In most cases, age during pregnancy is just a number. If you maintain good overall health, manage any conditions you have and listen to your provider, you should deliver a healthy baby.
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Worried about your high-risk pregnancy? Want the best maternal and fetal health care? Look no further than Cleveland Clinic. We’re here for all your needs.
Last reviewed on 05/05/2025.
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