Pregnancy At 43 Statistics
More and more women are having their first baby after the age of forty. It may be a surprise to some, but according to recent statistics, the number of pregnant women in the US over the age of 43 has been steadily increasing in recent years. Each year, women who conceive in their 40s and beyond experience a wide range of outcomes, both positive and not so positive.
Why Are Women Moving Towards Having Children Later?
Women may elect to delay motherhood for a variety of reasons. Some desire to focus on careers and educational pursuits and delay fertility until the appropriate time. Others may wait until a suitable partner is found and until marriage has taken place.
The Statistics
Statistics regarding pregnancy in women over the age of 43 vary slightly from individual organization to organization, however some common observations have emerged.
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- Live births: Nationally, approximately 8% of women over 43 across all racial groups had a live birth between 2004 and 2008.
- Spontaneous abortions: 12.6% of women aged 43 and up reported experiencing a spontaneous abortion.
- Birth defects: Over 8% of women over the age of 43 reported carrying a child with a birth defect.
- Maternal death: A total of 172 women over the age of 43 lost their lives during childbirth or in the immediate post-partum period.
Pregnancy Outcomes for Women Over the Age of 43
Though it cannot be guaranteed that any given pregnancy will have a positive outcome, there have been numerous cases of women in their 40s and beyond experiencing healthy pregnancies and births of healthy babies.
In addition to the pregnancies themselves, the health outcomes for both mother and baby during the postpartum period can be monitored closely in order to make sure that the mother and child are both healthy and risk-free.
Conclusion
Though statistics illustrate the increased risk of multiple outcomes associated with pregnancy at an older age, there is no evidence to indicate that women in their 40s are more likely to experience a negative pregnancy outcome than those of a younger age.
The choice to begin a family later in life is an individual one, and the majority of women experience a positive outcome that is satisfactory for both mother and baby. As with any pregnancy, those over the age of 43 should be closely monitored and counseled by a physician in order to ensure the safety of both mother and child.
Welcome to my fertility blog. This is a space where I will be sharing my experiences as I navigate through the world of fertility treatments, as well as provide information and resources about fertility and pregnancy.
