Becoming a mother after 35 is the norm for many women and a reflection of a changing society. We all know someone who had a baby in their late 40s: a friend, a sister, our own mother, or ourselves. These are simply the modern contours of motherhood. However, we still use the term "geriatric pregnancy" to describe this situation. But what does that mean, exactly? And why does this term spark so much discussion today? In this article, we demystify this somewhat strange concept and offer you insight into the realities and prospects of these "late motherhoods."
What is a geriatric or late-term pregnancy?
At what age do we talk about late pregnancy?
According to Cairn , late pregnancies are considered as such as soon as pregnant women exceed the age of 35 (more like 40, in current discourse). Surprising, isn't it? Yet, this situation remains extremely common today. Medicine is progressing, society is changing, and women are increasingly choosing to "postpone" conceiving their first children. They are often motivated by:
- professional reasons;
- the desire to flourish in their career;
- the wish not to rush.
Sometimes, it is also a result of medically assisted procreation (MAP) processes.
Why is the term “geriatric pregnancy” a hot topic today?
The term "geriatric pregnancy" is increasingly considered obsolete. As you can see, a pregnant woman over 35 is extremely commonplace today. However, this outdated vocabulary is still used; and it evokes a rather negative connotation. Geriatrics is the medicine of old age and its illnesses. And not the reality of this future mother, sometimes called a geriatric mother, who chooses to become one at a more mature age or who suffers the vagaries of life (difficulties conceiving, personal difficulties, etc.). This term is therefore controversial, because it underlines two important points:
- We must recognize the individual choices available to expectant mothers in our society.
- We must advocate for a language that adapts to the times and to medical advances.
At Boome, we therefore prefer to talk about late pregnancy rather than geriatric pregnancy.
What are the risks associated with late pregnancy?
Although pregnancy, even at an "advanced" age (yes, we put quotation marks!), is a joyful experience for many women, it can also carry certain risks.
Risks of miscarriage
The risk of miscarriage increases with age, as female fertility declines. According to research, including that conducted by CHU Sainte-Justine , there is a 15 to 20% increased risk in expectant mothers over the age of 35. And a 40% increase in those over the age of 43.
Unfortunately, this is still a taboo subject. If you'd like to learn more about the signs and risk factors of a miscarriage, we'll cover them in detail in our article , "How do you know if you're having a miscarriage?"
Anomaly rate sometimes higher
This increased risk of miscarriage often doesn't come alone: it's also accompanied by an increase in chromosomal abnormalities. The rate goes from 1 in 475 at age 25 to 1 in 30 at age 43.
There is also a rate of congenital heart defects 3 to 4 times higher in women aged 40 and over.
Complications during pregnancy
Some pregnancy problems can also occur in expectant mothers such as:
- gestational diabetes;
- high blood pressure (or other risk of hypertension);
- preeclampsia.
Which can complicate the baby's arrival and lead to:
- premature birth;
- a cesarean section;
- low birth weight.
But rest assured: thanks to advances in medicine and careful prenatal monitoring, these risks are better understood and therefore much better taken into account today.
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