Pregnancy at 52: Risks, Possibilities & Genetic Concerns

Question
I am a 52 year old...have a 29 year old son.  I re-married and my husband wants a baby with me.  My last period was JULY 2003!  I'm AFRAID to get pregnant and don't think I can anyway.  I'm afraid of defects, downs syndrom, etc.  Can I still get pregnant and what about birth defects?
Thank you for your help.

Answer
As long as you are getting a regular period, you probably are ovulating and can, indeed, conceive. You certainly can carry a pregnancy to term and deliver a healthy baby. Of course, your risks of chromosomal abnormalities are greater at your age than when you were 18 years old, but there are tests that can be done to see what is going on. You can have a sonogram done at 12 weeks gestation to check nuchal cord transluscency (a test for Down's syndrome). YOu can have an amniocentesis done at 18 weeks, which will tell you the complete makeup of your chromosomes and of any abnormalities, as well as the sex of the baby. YOu can then decide whether to continue the pregnancy or terminate the pregnancy. Your sugar will be monitored closely as will your blood pressure. An EKG will be done. You are younger than my oldest obstetrical patient (who was 55 having her 23rd child). The decision is  purely emotional, economical, and psychosocial. Good Luck.