Pregnancy at 44: Risks, Chances, and Expert Advice

Question
I was taking birth control pills and gotten pregnant. I found out after I mised my period for 2 months. I was thinking that I am going through the change of life. I am 44 , just recently remaried, have 22, and 7 year old beutiful girls. I am scared, what are my chances of having a healthy baby., Do I need a specialist . Can you recomnd someone with esxpirinece in pregnancy ion older woman. I do not want to come of as paranoid, but I am a little scared. I work full time and I think I am of sound mind. Please advise

Answer
I have had many patients who were in their late forties when they became pregnant. As long as you do not have any other systemic diseases (diabetes, thyroid problems, hear disease, etc) there is no problem in carrying a pregnancy to term and delivering vaginally. YOu, of course, should have an amniocentesis to rule out chromosomal disorders. (The risk of Down Syndrome at the age of 40 is 1 in 100 and it increases every year after that).You should be tested for gestional diabetes at 28 weeks gestation and should get a sonogram at least once (at 20 weeks). You do not need a perinatologist since you are not a high risk pregnancy. You can use a general obstetrician. There is nothing else you have to do.