Are we all automatically considered high risk?

orlangela

My SIL insists that I am just because I'm 37.  I don't have any health issues, but we did suffer from a m/c in November.  We refused all genetic testing and baby looked great at our 20wk anatomy scan.  Do we get more ultrasounds in the future because we're over 35?  Just curious...

MelleTX

I am high risk on paper because I am pregnant with twins and AMA, but I do not see a MFM because so far, there is no need. I do get an ultrasound at every appointment though. 

leffe1

Yeppers. Anyone over the age of 35. I didn't get any special treatment. They just encouraged me to have the genetic testing etc..I don't think having any health issues matter anymore. They assume our egg quality diminishes as we get older. This is my 2nd healthy pg. and I am 41.

ReeceFamily

My doctor considers me an extremely low-risk high-risk pregnancy.  In his words "you're only high risk because of your age, other than that you're low risk."  Even with my losses.  So I think we're somewhere in between.  Although I think of 37 as just a normal age to have a baby, at least in my friend group!

Adi

No.

Being over 35 makes you at a higher risk for certain things (like Downs syndrome, placenta previa, and a few other things) , but that does not make it a high risk pregnancy.

In fact, this pregnancy has been much more textbook for me than my prior 3 (2 of those miscarried, and the 3rd(only successful one so far) I had gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure, I have no problems this time)

JonesBaby0624

No.  Our age is just one of many things that can increase risk.  I am extreme high risk, and have to see my peri and get an ultrasound once a week, due to other factors.

benoitfan

My chart is marked AMA (I'm 40), but the only reason I have had closer monitoring this pg is due to bleeding issues that had nothing to do with age.  At 38 I had my first and the only tests I had were, initial blood work to confirm pregnancy, immunity, std status, and blood type/rh factore,  the NT Scan at 12w (my choice), the 2nd tri blood draw (my choice), the a/s and the 1hr GTT.  That's it, that's all.

This time around I have had repeat hcg draws (my request) and standard prelim bloodwork, a dating u/s at 7w (my request), NT scan and 2nd tri b/w (my choice), u/s at 14.5 w due to bleeding, u/s at 15.5w due to bleeding and a/s at 19w.  I will still have the GTT, but that will be it unless there are more issues.  None of these additional tests were due to my age, they were all due to my fear/anxiety caused by my loss last Oct and bleeding episodes I had at the start of 2nd tri.  Now that I am over 40 (and I have heard that placenta's deteriorate faster over 40) I may have biophysical scans and growth scans in the last weeks, but I won't know til we cross that bridge.

francisc

I would say yes because we are at "higher risk" for complications - higher risk of preterm labor, genetic problems, etc - compared to those aged below 35.  (i heard the best outcome is obtained for those aged 24-28) . But it doesnt mean that we'll get extra treatment. Age is just one of the factors that will be considered.  Non-routine or "extra" procedures would still depend on your symptoms or presence of other risk factors (diabetes, history of miscarriage, etc).  If anything, our age just alerts the doctor to have a lower threshold for requesting the extra tests or raises red flags that they need to be a little more cautious. 

Kim&Jim

MelleTX:

I am high risk on paper because I am pregnant with twins and AMA, but I do not see a MFM because so far, there is no need. I do get an ultrasound at every appointment though. 

I only saw an MFM once because my doctor just wanted to make sure all was well.  My OB delivers lots of multiples so I wasn't concerned about this!!

I see you are in Dallas.  I am just north of there.  I am in a mothers of multiples group.  It's an awesome place for resources.  PM me if you want the contact info.  There are actually 2 in the north dallas/plano area and one in Lewisville.

Twins are so much fun!!!

rockabetty1

First post. I think I am considered high risk on paper only because of my age. I turned 35 less than 4 months ago.

mlangs

Currently my doctor treats me no differently, but we all know I am borderline High risk because I have a heart condition. If I move over it would be in August after my next EKG/ Echo.

He doesn't really talk about it because of my age though.

InspectorSpacetime

I'm also considered a fairly young patient for my OB practice at 37, but I am higher-risk this time as I have an underlying chronic GI condition.  According to my office, it just makes things handier for them when dealing with the insurance companies to be able to use 'advanced maternal age' as a code, but without other issues, they don't consider it a flag in and of itself - they just offer a wider range of testing up-front.

verybusymomto4

IF you are  35 and over you are considered High Risk, they may not tell you that but you are. I am 38, expecting number 4 NEVER EVER had any problems with any of last 3 kids, they were better then text book my dr says,BUT my age puts me in that category.  My DR knows it is silly for me to be in that category, but the fact of the matter is, if you are 35 and over you are in there. That is the rule and what they have to go by.