Whether they’re looking for financial stability before starting a family or adding a final member to their brood, it’s expected that mothers in their 30s will experience pregnancy very differently than women in their 20s.
Women in their 30s are more likely to have a C-section and are more likely to develop problems such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes and other complications. But despite these things, pregnancy after 30 is still completely safe with proper prenatal care.
Mothers who are expecting in their third decade of life should be diligent about getting regular prenatal care, getting early STD testing, and taking other steps to reduce the risks that are prevalent among this age group. Actually, US birth rates among women in their 30s are currently the highest in more than 40 years.1
Pregnancy risks and benefits after 30 years
Pregnancies that occur after age 30 are often considered high-risk based solely on the age of the expectant mother. However, pregnancy is often considered ultra-high risk after age 35.2 This is because pregnancies in women aged 35 and over, in addition to health problems that affect expectant mothers, pose several risks that directly affect the health of their children.
Risks
Common problems in pregnant women aged 30 and over include:
- Gestational diabetes
- Hypertension
- Increased risk of miscarriage
- Possible need for an emergency C-section
- An increased risk of existing lifestyle diseases
For women after age 35, pregnancy risks include a greater chance of:
- Birth multiples
- Low birth weight
- Premature birth
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Chromosomal abnormalities
Advantages
Modern women still have enormous resilience and endurance when they reach their thirties. With an increasing emphasis on self-care, preventive medicine, stress management and health strategies, women are aging better and are more easily able to meet the challenges of both childbirth and parenting later in life.
If you dream of having your own baby (or another), having a baby at this stage is guaranteed to increase your quality of life. You will gain a lasting sense of fulfillment, new purpose, and great joy. Additionally, women in their 30s tend to be much more financially stable than women in their early 20s and are more likely to have security in their relationships. Despite the various risks that come with pregnancy after 30, women in their 30s are usually willing to provide their little ones with better financial, emotional, and family stability.
Tips for a healthy pregnancy in your thirties
A woman in her thirties is still considered fertile. Therefore, getting pregnant at this time is something the body is designed for. However, regardless of age, it is still critical that women maintain healthy lifestyle habits, receive regular prenatal care, and proactively limit known risks. One of the ways to start risk reduction is by identifying and addressing lifestyle diseases. These include:
- Obesity
- Hypertension
- Coronary artery disease
- Lung disease
- Sexually transmitted diseases
If you smoke, you should stop immediately. Your doctor can help you create an effective smoking cessation plan before you become pregnant or if you are already pregnant.
Although you will need more calories during your pregnancy to support your growing baby, you should work with a nutrition counselor if you currently have weight-related health concerns. Your primary care doctor or gynecologist can also create a plan for successfully treating diabetes, high blood pressure, or other weight-related problems.
Finally, all pregnant women, regardless of age, should should be tested for STDs, including HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, HPV, hepatitis and others. Early detection and treatment of STDs reduces the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and transmission of dangerous infections in vitro or to newborns.3
Verdict: Is it OK to get pregnant in your 30s?
Becoming pregnant in your 30s comes with several risks that women in their 20s are unlikely to face. However, these risks are no reason to stop celebrating your baby’s upcoming arrival. Instead, they provide good motivation to do everything you can to take good care of yourself and ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Priority STD testing provides comprehensive testing for sexually transmitted infections for women who are currently pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Find a testing lab near you today to take this vitally important step in protecting your little one’s health.
Sources
- “Risks of Pregnancy Over 30 Years.” University of Rochester Medical Center. Accessed May 25, 2022. www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=90&contentid=P02481.
- “Pregnancy after 35 years: healthy mothers, healthy babies.” Mayo Clinic. February 10, 2022. www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20045756.
- “STDs During Pregnancy – CDC Fact Sheet.” Center for Disease Control and Prevention. April 12, 2022. www.cdc.gov/std/pregnancy/stdfact-pregnancy.htm.