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What is Advanced Maternal Age?
Advanced maternal age is a term used to describe a woman who is pregnant at 35 or older. These individuals may be considered high risk due to their age, meaning that you are more likely than younger women to experience certain conditions and/or complications during your pregnancy. While this is not always the case, it is important to speak with your OB/GYN regarding these possible risks to ensure that you and your baby are healthy.
“I highly recommend Dr. Tepper!He is highly professional, experienced, and calming. My pregnancy and birth were such a positive experience thanks to him and his lovely staff at the clinic.”
SEE MOREIf you are 35 years or older and are pregnant, you may be at higher risk for the following:
- Twins or Multiples: The chances of having twins or multiples increase as you age. This is because changes in hormones can cause multiple eggs to release at the same time.
- Gestational Diabetes: This form of diabetes only occurs during pregnancy, and is more common in women as they age. It is important to treat gestational diabetes while pregnant with diet, exercise, and/or medication to avoid complications such as premature birth, high blood pressure, and more.
- High Blood Pressure: Also known as preeclampsia, high blood pressure during pregnancy must be monitored by your doctor in order to avoid complications.
- Premature Birth: Premature babies or babies with a low birth weight are more common for older women.
- C-Section: Those 35 and older have an overall higher risk of pregnancy complications, which may lead to a C-section delivery.
- Chromosome Abnormalities: Certain chromosome problems like Down syndrome are more common in babies born to older mothers.
- Pregnancy Loss: Unfortunately, the risk for miscarriage and stillbirth increases as you age. This may be due to a decrease in egg quality combined with chronic medical conditions that are more common in older women.
MEET DR. ALEX TEPPER
Welcome to my practice. Let me introduce myself and my practice philosophy. I am a board certified OB/GYN in practice for over 20 years and have been a solo-practitioner on the Upper East Side of Manhattan since 2000. All deliveries are performed at The Mount Sinai Medical Center where I went to medical school and at Lenox Hill Hospital.
Specialized Care for Advanced Maternal Age
For pregnant patients over the age of 35, Dr. Tepper will work with you to ensure the best possible outcomes for both you and your baby. This is achieved through different types of specialized care, which may include the following:
- A professional assessment of the age-related risks to both you and your baby.
- Early and frequent prenatal appointments to closely monitor your pregnancy.
- Early detection and treatment of complications such as high blood pressure and gestational diabetes.
- Close monitoring of your baby’s growth and development.
- A thoroughly planned delivery to prevent the need for a C-section if possible.
- The option for birth defect screening, testing, and counseling.
- And more.
FAQs
What are the risks of having a child over the age of 35?
How can I prevent complications when giving birth after 35?
Is birth more painful for women at advanced maternal ages?
What does advanced maternal age mean?
Is advanced maternal age the same as geriatric pregnancy?
Is it harder to get pregnant if you are over 35?
Are there any benefits of having a baby after 35?
What tests are recommended for an advanced maternal-age pregnancy?
What are my chances of miscarriage if I am of advanced maternal age?
How do I take care of myself if I am over 35 and pregnant?
How common are chromosomal problems with an over-35 pregnancy?
Are more ultrasounds needed for women who are pregnant over 35?
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
Whether you are a new or returning patient, Dr. Tepper can assess your concerns and discuss your options to find the most comfortable and convenient care for you. To get started, call our office to set up an appointment.
CALL FOR APPOINTMENTContact Us to Learn More
If you are considering becoming pregnant or are already pregnant and over 35, contact our office today to schedule an advanced maternal age appointment with Dr. Tepper. We pride ourselves on providing compassionate, professional care to each of our patients to help ensure the quality care you deserve.