The risks for the mother
The miscarriages during the first three months of pregnancy are more frequent at this age: from 18 to 34%, against 15% at 30 years. Most often, they come from a chromosomal abnormality in the embryo. Linked to the mother’s age, they participate in the decline in fertility over the years.
In addition, the risk of high blood pressure is twice as great as at age 20, the arteries losing their flexibility with age. And when combined with an abnormal level of albumin (protein) in the urine, the expectant mother suffers from preeclampsia in the last trimester of her pregnancy.
As for gestational diabetes, it is also twice as common when the blood sugar of the mother-to-be is too high.
Following childbirth, phlebitis of the lower limbs and pulmonary embolism are also more numerous.
What is preeclampsia?
Also known as “toxemia of pregnancy”, it is a general syndrome which classically affects pregnant women during the last trimester of their pregnancy and which associates high blood pressure, the presence of proteins (albumin) in the urine and an intake of weight with edema. Indeed, the placenta, poorly vascularized, secretes substances harmful to the blood vessels. This disorder is further manifested by migraines and visual disturbances. If medication and complete rest do not help, the doctor may, depending on the progress of the preeclampsia and the term of pregnancy, decide to induce childbirth. The fetus, poorly oxygenated, can indeed suffer in its mother’s womb and slow down its growth, or even die. Hence the importance of very regular monitoring.
The risks of a late pregnancy for a baby
The Trisomy 21 (but also trisomies 13 and 18), which can be attributed to the aging of the oocytes, is the major risk for the baby in the event of late pregnancy. This disturbance of the number of chromosomes (47 instead of 46, due to three chromosomes 21 instead of two), is the leading cause of mental handicap in France.
There are also risks of deformities of the face (cleft lip or cleft lip) and feet such as clubfoot (baby’s foot turned inward).
