Ask the Expert Pregnancy in older womenQ: I‘m 39. What risks are associated with getting pregnant at a later age? A: In a healthy woman there is not a significantly increased risk during pregnancy except for an increased risk of genetic abnormalities in the fetus. The risk increases every year and at age thirty-five is equal to approximately 0.5%. All women, regardless of age, race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status should be offered genetic counseling, and if desired, prenatal diagnosis by chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis. These tests are more invasive, but also more accurate. Learn more about pregnancy in older women > — Margaret Griffith, MD, The Woman’s Clinic of Vancouver Birth Control and ConceptionQ: How soon after stopping birth control can I get pregnant? A: You can get pregnant as soon as you stop using birth control. If you are on the pill, it is advisable to stop taking it and use another form of contraception, such as a condom, for two to three months prior to attempting to conceive. — Margaret Griffith, MD, The Woman’s Clinic of Vancouver Submit your question > Read more Q&AsPregnancy & Delivery Questions > Visit the Ask the Expert archive > |
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