Dear Dr. Roussis:
I’m 36 years old and want to become pregnant, but I’m concerned I’m too old. What are the risks of being an older mother at an advanced maternal age at delivery?
Many women today are waiting until later in life to have children at an advanced maternal age. In the United States, birth rates for women in their 30s are at the highest levels in four decades. We recommend if you’re 35 years or older to seek care by a perinatologist. This is especially important as your risk for complications increases for:
- Multiples
- Chromosomal abnormalities and other genetic birth defects
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
Pregnancy and Advanced Maternal Age
High risk is a term we often use to define a pregnancy that needs special attention. It sounds scary, but it’s important to remember that being high risk doesn’t always mean you or your baby will have problems.
Complete, High-Risk Pregnancy Care within One Practice
For the last 20 years, Fort Sanders Perinatal Center has delivered over 20,000 high-risk babies at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. Our Center for High Risk Pregnancies is led by Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists, Perry Roussis, MD, FACOGand Gary Stephens, DO, FACOOG, along with our team of nurse practitioners, midwives, phone nurses, genetic counselors, diabetes counselors, care coordinators, and sonographers.
There’s no safer place for your baby’s beginning than at Fort Sanders Perinatal Center with complete high-risk pregnancy care in one practice and expert emergent care just steps away for our smallest patients. Call (865) 331-2020 or for more information.
Disclaimer: please note that this information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice. If you have a specific medical question or issue, we encourage you to call our office at (865) 331-2020 and schedule an appointment.
Tags for this post:
Advanced Maternal Age, dr. perry roussis, Fort Sanders Perinatal Center, Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, high-risk pregnancy, Knoxville High-Risk Pregnancy, Knoxville High-Risk Pregnancy Doctor, Knoxville High-Risk Pregnancy Physician