“Safe pa ba?”
Maybe you were busy building a career, or waited for the right partner to come along, or simply felt ready later in life. But whatever the reason, you are now ready to have a baby… but you’re worried.
The good news is that many women in their mid to late 30s and even 40s go through healthy pregnancies and deliver thriving babies. Medicine has so advanced that we now have a much clearer understanding of how to support older first-time mothers.
In this post, we’ll look into what happens when you have your first baby at 35 or beyond, what to expect, and why it’s possible to have a safe, healthy, and deeply rewarding pregnancy.
The Natural Changes As One Gets Older
You’ve heard of the “biological clock” for women. It all sounds so mysterious and urgent. So, what is it?
Well, it is simply biology. Our bodies change over time, as we advance in years. Understanding what really happens after 35 can take away much of the fear and help one make informed, confident choices.
#1 Egg Count
When a female is born, she already has all the eggs she will ever have in her lifetime. She has around 2 million at birth.
This number begins to decrease every month, even before puberty. An estimated 11,000 eggs die every month.
By the time she hits puberty, she has around 300,000 to 500,000 eggs left. By age 37, that number would be around 25,000.
Each month, the body selects a group of eggs for the chance to mature. Only one egg will eventually reach maturity each month, with the rest of the group dying out.
So you see, when they say “biological clock,” one of the things they are alluding to is the number of eggs remaining for an individual.
Different individuals reach menopause at different times…depending on the number of eggs they have at birth and the rate at which they’re losing them.
#2 Egg Quality
While quantity can be easily gauged, we have yet to devise a method to directly measure quality. Doctors simply go by age to have an idea about egg quality.
The consensus is: Quality decreases over time.
“Quality” here refers to the egg’s genetic ability to accurately multiply or divide. As the eggs age, there is a slightly higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
A high-quality egg can faithfully divide and avoid gross genetic irregularities.
#3 Hormonal Shifts
Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) conduct the fertility orchestra.
They keep your menstrual cycle regular, help eggs mature, prepare your uterus for implantation, and support pregnancy in its earliest weeks.
But as women reach their mid-30s and beyond, these hormones begin to lose their delicate rhythm and harmony. They are not as efficient as previously, and sometimes signals get crossed.
Because they closely interact with each other, even small imbalances can have ripple effects. Making successful pregnancies a little bit more challenging.
So these are some of the factors alluded to when talking about the “biological clock” for women, marking a window of optimal fertility that narrows over time.
Here’s What to Expect
Pregnancies, at any age, come with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Individuals in their late thirties and up may wonder, “Will my pregnancy be different because of my age?”
The honest answer is: Yes…in some ways.
A. More Care
If you’re over 35, your pregnancy is considered AMA or “advanced maternal age.” It sounds scarier than it is, but what it really means is that your doctor will monitor you a bit more closely to make sure you and your baby are doing well every step of the way.
You’ll most likely have:
More frequent ultrasounds to check growth and development.
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is used to screen for chromosomal conditions early.
Possibly additional tests like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) if needed.
Think of these as extra layers of diligence to catch and manage any concerns early, if any.
B. Common Medical Concerns
Women over 35 have a slightly higher risk of certain conditions. Of course, there’s individual variation due to genetics, overall health, and lifestyle, but these are some of the biological issues commonly found with the specific age group:
1. Gestational diabetes:
This is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It happens because the hormones from the placenta can prevent your body’s ability to produce insulin. As a result, too much glucose remains in the blood.
Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can affect your baby’s health, usually showing up around month 6 to month 7. Your doctor will ask for a blood test to check for it.
(Your blood sugar returns to its normal levels after the baby is born.)
2. Gestational Hypertension:
High blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to complications for both the mother and child. Consistent readings of 140/90 and above can cause situations like the placenta receiving less blood flow. When this happens, it means less oxygen and nutrients for the baby.
Doctors will monitor blood pressure as an essential part of prenatal care and will prescribe the safest medication and dose.
3. Preeclampsia:
This condition is characterized by high blood pressure and high levels of protein in urine. Individuals may also experience headaches, blurred vision, and, in extreme cases, decreased kidney and liver function.
It develops around the 5th month of pregnancy, and doctors would record your blood pressure and check your urine for elevated protein levels.
Preeclampsia is a serious condition that, if left unmanaged, can lead to complications like low birth weight and premature birth.
4. Stress:
It’s no secret that pregnancy can be an emotional time. For first-time mothers in their mid-30s and 40s, the awareness of late pregnancy itself can exacerbate an already stressful situation. Stress affects both the mother and her child and can lead to complications like preterm labor, preterm delivery, low birth weight, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.
But here’s the key: spotting and managing them properly can lead to positive outcomes for most pregnancies.
C. Delivery and Birth Plans
It’s true that women over 35 are more likely to have a C-section. This is partly due to slightly higher rates of labor complications or preexisting conditions. But that doesn’t mean you can’t plan for a regular delivery.
What matters most is discussing your preferences early with your obstetrician and being open to adjustments as your pregnancy unfolds. With the right team and good prenatal care, you can have a safe birth experience.
With today’s technology and prenatal expertise, your odds of having a healthy baby are better than they’ve ever been.
What Can I Do As An Expectant Mother?
Here’s where consistency matters more than perfection:
Eat balanced, nutrient-rich meals. Include lean proteins, whole grains, calcium-rich foods, and iron sources. You don’t need a “perfect” diet, but have variety in moderation.
Stay active…but safely. Walking is excellent for circulation, flexibility, and mood. Always get your doctor’s approval before starting any routine.
Get enough rest. Fatigue is common in pregnancy, and rest helps your body cope with physical and hormonal demands.
Watch your blood pressure and blood sugar. Regular prenatal visits help detect any changes early.
Stay hydrated and monitor swelling. Especially during the later trimesters when your body retains more fluid.
Take your vitamins and prescriptions. They support your body’s specific nutrient needs.
Care for your mental health. It’s okay to have mixed emotions: joy, anxiety, even fear. Reach out to supportive friends, join prenatal groups, or talk to your doctor if you feel overwhelmed.
Every choice you make, from your diet to your daily habits, adds up to better outcomes for both you and your baby. So work closely with your doctor and execute consistently the game plan your healthcare professional has given you.
Hopeful & Realistic
After 35, conception may take longer, and medical supervision becomes more important. But with modern prenatal care, the actual outcomes have improved dramatically.
There has been a steady rise in advanced maternal age pregnancies, not only in the Philippines but around the world. In the last four decades, pregnancies among women aged 35-39 rose 272%, while women aged 40-44 rose 318%.
More women in these age groups are not only getting pregnant, but they’re doing so safely. Advances like non-invasive prenatal testing, high-resolution ultrasounds, and targeted fertility treatments mean doctors can detect and manage potential issues much earlier than before.
Modern medicine has opened doors that once felt closed. Fertility assessments are more accurate, prenatal care is more advanced, and pregnancy outcomes for older first-time moms have never been better. Even risks that once sounded intimidating—like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes—are now routinely monitored and effectively treated.
With the right information and guidance, you can go into this chapter more informed.
BloodWorks Lab is your fertility and pregnancy partner—offering medical screenings, assessments, and tests like the APAS (Anti Phospholipid Antibody Syndrome) Test for would-be mothers.
Our friendly staff is at your service. Book your appointment today.
Our branches are in Alabang, Katipunan, and Cebu.