What prenatal tests will you need if you’re pregnant at 45? Will there be more than usual?
You’ll probably be poked and prodded more than your counterparts who are younger moms, but you might find the extra testing and attention comforting.
You’ll be in for routine prenatal testing, such as the glucose test for gestational diabetes (which is more frequent in older expectant mothers) and the NIPT for chromosomal conditions.
Additionally, preeclampsia and high blood pressure, which are also more common in older pregnancies, will be closely watched for. Additionally, since low birth weight is another pregnancy complication that is more frequent in older expectant mothers, you might undergo additional ultrasounds to track the baby’s development.
You’ll probably be encouraged to undergo chorionic villus sampling (CVS) between weeks 10 and 13 of pregnancy or amniocentesis, which is performed between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy and most frequently between 16 and 18 weeks, because the rates of Down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions are higher in babies of older mothers-to-be.
The likelihood that your child will have chromosomal abnormalities depends on the age of the donor or you at the time your eggs were frozen if you conceive using donor or previously frozen eggs. It’s a good idea to share those details with your doctor so that he or she can accurately assess the risk.
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More About Pregnancy in Your 30s and 40s
By the time you are 45, your fertility has decreased so much that most women find it difficult to conceive naturally, though it is still possible. You are not alone if you find yourself in that situation. But if you’re 45 and trying to conceive, you should first discuss your outlook with your doctor.
It is advised to perform PGT-A, or chromosomal screening of embryos, on a woman in her 40s who is having IVF using her own eggs. At age 45 or older, there is little chance that an embryo will be choromosomally normal. But if you’re in good health (as well as your uterus), your chances of getting pregnant using donor eggs can be very high.