YourBabyYourWay.com - Preconception

Preconception

Whether you’re pondering pregnancy or already trying to get pregnant, you’ll find a wealth of preconception information here.

Trends in later childbearing

The number of mothers giving birth over the age of 35 has grown 75 percent in the last decade, while the numbers in the traditional ages continue to decline. But does this increase risk for complications? Dr. Margaret Griffith of the Women's Clinic of Vancouver answers your questions about this hot topic.

Pondering Pregnancy Classes at Southwest

Gather information and talk with local health care providers about how you can plan for a healthy pregnancy. Next class: September 18. Find out more >

Getting pregnant in older years

If you are 35 or older, you and your baby may be at an increased risk for problems. Most women of advanced maternal age who are in good health will not have problems during pregnancy, but they have an increased risk of complications. A pregnancy can initiate or worsen high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease. Older women also have a higher risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. The biggest risk for women who are 35 or older is genetic abnormalities in the baby, such as Down syndrome. Read more >

Amniocentesis

Doctors generally recommend amniocentesis to women who will be 35 or older when they deliver. Read more >

See more Preconception articles >

Ask the Expert

Q: 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

Read other preconception answers from our experts >

Visit the Ask the Expert archive >

Ask the Expert is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read here.

Book Review: But I Don't Feel Too Old to Be a Mommy!: The Complete Sourcebook for Starting (and Re-Starting) Motherhood Beyond 35 and After 40

by Doreen Nagle

The traditional childbearing ages for women have been 20-29. Today, however, the trend to later childrearing is significant, with the numbers of mothers over the age of 35 having grown 75 percent in the last decade, while the numbers in the traditional ages continue to decline. From celebrities to the woman next door, later childrearing is no flash-in-the-pan fad and isn't going to subside; future trends only show women will continue to delay motherhood. Read more >

Buy from Powells.com
Buy from Amazon.com
Get it from the Multnomah County Library

More book reviews >

	Share your story
We want to hear about your preconception experiences. Maybe you had a difficult time conceiving and found a specialist locally who really helped. Or maybe you have a tip to share with other couples who are trying to conceive. Join the community today to share your experiences. Or select a blog from the list below to read other hopeful parents’ stories.

"Being Dad" Documentary - Must See! (by nikkik on 9-Aug-08; 0 comments)

You're going to be a Daddy! (by smottram on 31-Jul-08; 0 comments)

Picking a partner (by nikkik on 1-Jul-08; 0 comments)

Labor was Different than what I Expected (by familybirthcenter on 29-Jun-08; 0 comments)

She's growing up so fast (by drdavidcallies on 15-Jun-08; 0 comments)

"Why can't we have a baby??" (by drchang on 29-May-08; 3 comments)

Raising Allison: The experience of a Pediatric Psychologist (by drdavidcallies on 4-May-08; 0 comments)

"I'm ready, but my husband...." (by drchang on 1-May-08; 2 comments)

"I'm new to the area. How do I choose an doctor?" (by drchang on 23-Apr-08; 1 comments)

My journey to parenthood (by smottram on 18-Apr-08; 1 comments)

"I can't figure out when to start a family!" (by drchang on 18-Apr-08; 0 comments)

Existing Members

Featured Partner

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Local Angle

Giving birth YOUR way

Roberto_Adriana_Esteban Adriana García and Roberto Jimenez were overjoyed when they discovered they were going to become first-time parents. They wanted to do everything right, which included signing up for Kaiser Permanente’s Preparation for Birth Class and checking out the Family Birth Center at Southwest Washington Medical Center. They even created an online blog so friends and family in Mexico could track the pregnancy and share their good wishes with the couple.

After taking the prenatal class, Adriana and Roberto created their birthing plan; making important decisions about how they wanted to deliver their baby. When the due date neared, they were going to stay at home as long as possible before going to the hospital … listening to music, talking to baby and enjoying the experience. Read the full story >

Download a birth planning form >

Read about false labor and the signs of true labor >

Share your story. Submit your story with a local angle, and you will receive $50 if it is selected for publication.