What Are the Risks Associated with a Geriatric Pregnancy?

Pregnancies in older people, often called geriatric or advanced maternal age pregnancies, can have extra risks. As you get older, your body might have a harder time handling stress during pregnancy. Some common risks include high blood pressure (preeclampsia) and gestational diabetes, which means your blood sugar might be too high. There can also be an increased risk of having a baby born early (premature birth) or a baby with growth problems. The chance of needing a cesarean section (a surgery to deliver the baby) may also go up. Additionally, some older parents have a higher risk of having a baby with chromosomal problems, such as Down syndrome. These risks do not mean that all older pregnancies will have problems, but they do mean that doctors usually watch things more closely. By keeping regular checkups and following advice, many people with advanced maternal age can have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.