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Q: Can I still get pregnant when I am 37 or 38 years old?
A: Pregnancies and deliveries in women over 35 years of age have considerably increased over the last few years. Roughly, about 7% of all births occur in women in this age group. However, fertility decrease with age. Furthermore, the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities and, in particular, Down's syndrome, also increases with the age of the mother. In addition, the number of spontaneous abortions, various diseases (such as diabetes and hypertension), and maternal mortality also increase with the age of the mother. In particular, maternal mortality in black women over 35 years of age is higher than that of white women in the same age group.
Summarizing, thus, it may be said that at this age you may, in genera, still get pregnant. However, there is a higher risk than at a younger age which, with appropriate obstetrical care, may be minimized. Regarding Down's syndrome it should be mentioned that, by means of chromosomal analysis of amniotic fluid, it may also be established before birth whether this abnormality is present in the fetus.
Updated: 07/01/99
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