Am I High Risk Because of My Age? A Midwife’s Perspective on Pregnancy Over 35

One of the most common questions we get from clients is:

“Am I high-risk because of my age?”

If you’re pregnant and over 35 (or thinking about it), you’ve likely heard the term “advanced maternal age” or even worse… “geriatric pregnancy.” (Yikes.)

Let’s unpack what the real risks are — and how we approach care in a way that centers your health, your choices, and your baby’s well-being.

The Facts: Does Age Really Make You High Risk?

No — statistically speaking, the chances of stillbirth do increase SLIGHTLY with age.

But here’s what most people miss:

The biggest challenge as we age is GETTING pregnant — not having a living baby in your arms at the end.

We share actual data with our clients (sourced from UpToDate, a trusted medical reference) and let them make informed choices about their care.

Here’s what the numbers tell us:

• Over age 35, the risk of stillbirth increases by 0.2%

• Over age 40, it increases by 0.46%

But that’s it.

And importantly:

This is just how the data looks — it’s not about where you give birth, it’s about your body, your baby, and what you decide feels safe.

What You Can Do: Smart, Supportive Prenatal Care

We always offer our clients the option of antenatal testing toward the end of pregnancy. These include:

• Non-stress tests (NSTs)

• Ultrasounds to check baby’s well-being

If these tools are reassuring to you, use them. Research shows they can help prevent stillbirth in higher-risk pregnancies.

But also remember this:

Let’s Talk Language: You’re Not “Geriatric”

Let’s be honest — calling someone “geriatric” because they’re 36 and pregnant? It’s outdated and unhelpful. You’re a new parent. You got pregnant! That is something to celebrate — not categorize.

And statistically speaking, if you’re pregnant over 35 or 40, your chance of having a healthy baby is still incredibly high:

1999 out of 2000 pregnancies result in a healthy birth. (Better odds than Vegas for sure.)

Staying Healthy Over 35

If there’s one difference we notice between older and younger birthing parents, it’s this:

Rest. Older parents often need to build more rest into their pregnancy and postpartum plan.

We recommend:

• Stop working earlier (if you can)

• Plan for long hours of rest postpartum — especially if you’ll be nursing

• Eat nutrient-dense meals with plenty of leafy greens, protein, and color

In other words — the things we all should be doing, but especially if your body is working a little harder during pregnancy.

You Deserve a Provider Who Trusts You

At our practice, we walk with you through the facts, the feelings, and the freedom to choose.

Being pregnant over 35 doesn’t mean you’re broken or risky — it just means we use all the tools available to support your well-being.

You’re not high-risk just because of your birthday.

You’re human. You’re growing life. And that’s sacred work — at any age.