Difference in appointments after labeled high risk because of age?

utgirl2 · June 2014

I will be 35 when I deliver this baby, and I was wondering what the difference will be in my appointments now that I will be labeled high risk? Do I go in more frequently, are there more ultrasounds? Just trying to figure out what is in store. I have my first appointment next week.

JilliansMoma · June 2014

The only thing different that I was offered that my younger friends were not was the NT scan. Otherwise my Dr treated me the same. She was also PG at the same time I was for my first two PG and she is a couple of years older than I am. I really liked that she was an older mom too and seemed to not have any issues with my treatments like I hear some other older moms have to put up with.

I was GD with DD#3 so I did have extra monitoring towards the end to make sure I had enough fluid, they checked on the placenta and monitored closely the size of the baby.

dukemeli · June 2014

No difference at all. I was sent to a Perinatalogist. Not solely due to age though. I had several other things going on that required additional monitoring.

springbeduk2 · June 2014

I had extra ultrasounds 3rd trimester but was told age 39 was the threshold for that. If you don't have other risk factors just being 35 shouldn't really make you high risk especially beyond ruling out trisomies - though even for that aren't they starting to say the risk isn't actually so much higher with AMA? Anyway ... being 35 should be no big deal.

Wyn · June 2014

This will totally depend on your provider. If he/she is intervention happy they will push for more tests/screenings etc...if not, they may offer this or that, help educate you, and allow you to make an informed decision. I'm 40 and not considered high risk with my provider.

flyinmommy · June 2014

I'm 35 this time and I was in my mid 20s with my other three and I haven't had any differences in my appointments. We did the genetic screening this time but that was the only difference.

harmonicbabe26 · June 2014

@utgirl2‌ Haven't read all the responses but just because you will be over 35 doesn't mean you are automatically high risk. That's a completely different term from AMA. AMA moms have the option of additional testing if they choose. You will be barely over that limit. Some ladies in the higher range may have more frequent checkups etc. but age does not equal high risk. Sidenote: i had my first 4 months before I turned 34, now I am 35 and will be 36 and a a few months when this one if born, but I can tell you from a physical standpoint I am in a much better shape than many women in their 20s bc I am super active, eat healthy and take care of myself. Nobody ever called me high risk even though I see 'elderly mother' on my doc checkout slips every time. Stupid...

Samuelismomma · June 2014

My age didn't make me high risk at all. I have epilepsy and that is what did it. My ob does triple screen on all and the nt scan at 20 weeks on all...:)

moroccojade · June 2014

There has been very little difference between my care at age 31 and my care now at age 38. The biggest difference was being offered the IPS (blood work and NT scan -- which I agreed to.)

And I am glad. I don't feel any different than I did in my early 30s. Nor do I want to turn this into a overly medicalized experience. :P

R&S32513 · June 2014

Had genetic testing early on and more ultrasounds throughout my pregnancy. I see my regular dr and a high risk dr. I'm 36. Was 29 with baby #1.

brooklynesque · June 2014

I have no complications/issues (yet ... knock wood) so my doc treats me the same as everyone else. I'm 40.

ScubaMomma · June 2014

With my first pregnancy, I had the NTT and in my third trimester I think it was in my final month ???) I went in weekly for U/S.
I was told that I would have the same weekly U/S this time around in my third trimester.

Honestly, my pregnancy was wonderful, no issues. The label "high risk" floated above me the whole time like a rain cloud, that was the only neg part of the whole experience.

JennYoga · June 2014

I am 35 and assumed I was "high risk" but when I went in for my first appointment the doctor said that because I am fit and healthy there is nothing inherently different about my pregnancy. The only thing that will be different is an early screening for Downs Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. I guess if you are over 35 there is a greater risk for Downs Syndrome.

Good luck!

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