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September 2015 Moms
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Medical Says "I'm high risk because I'm OLD"

mamasitabonitamamasitabonita member
in September 2015 Moms

I recently got some genetic blood test done.  I was told that the testing was required for
the reason that I will be 35 when I give birth and that I am considered to be high risk (My AGE). 
 I was told that women who give
birth past the age of 35 have a high risk of delivering a child with Autism or
some kind of disorder; the doctor added that I can decide to abort the pregnancy
if the testing reveled that my child will have a disorder.   Also I was told that older females such as “me”
have a higher percentage of giving birth to a female but I am having a baby
boy.  I am upset and troubled from the
news that was given to me.  P.S I don’t
think I am old at 34 J





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Re: Medical Says "I'm high risk because I'm OLD"

  • irenejeanirenejean member
    34 is not old, but this is coming from a 33 year old ;)

    I think they use the age of 35 at the time of birth for additional screening because of "advanced maternal age", but I wouldn't let it upset you too much. There are risks of problems the older you are, but that can vary a lot from woman to woman, and a lot of women of "advanced maternal age" have no problems during their pregnancy. The doctors are probably just being overly cautious and not explaining things all that well. Don't let them scare you, and don't stress too much about the genetic tests, odds are everything is okay.
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  • WDDCHWDDCH member
    Sounds like maybe you should shop around for someone else. Plenty of women have babies into their 40's. If you feel disrespected or uncomfortable please don't stick around that office. A great GYN may not be a great OB.
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  • megs1409megs1409 member

    I am 37 and this is my 2nd child.  My first was born when I was 35, so I've always been considered AMA (advanced maternal age).  I have 1 boy and am expecting another boy, so I have no idea where the person got the information they are citing regarding "older" women having females. 

    None of the genetic testing they can do now will determine whether your child will have autism.  The test is looking at the baby's DNA to determine chromosomal abnormalities...not random "disorders." 

    I'm sorry you had such a horrible experience.  I would definitely be looking for another provider at this point, because even IF the information provided was correct, the delivery of it sounds like it was terrible. 

    Congratulations on your baby boy!  :)

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  • babygiggles06babygiggles06 member
    Me too! :/ i got refered to a high risk OB! Lol
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  • mamasitabonitamamasitabonita member
    Thank You ladies. You are so sweet
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  • kimberlykhkimberlykh member
    edited March 2015
    I'm 36 so also considered AMA. I was talking to my cousin and her wife about this (they're both MDs) and they pointed out that 35 is just a number that the medical community has assigned to AMA. There are many other factors that go into it.
    It's not like the day you hit 35 your risks suddenly sky rocket or something. I kind-of like being older so I get more tests and attention. Last time I was 34 and didn't get anything extra, lol. Seriously almost all of my friends have had healthy babies at 35 or above. I run with late bloomers I suppose! Big hugs and I'm sorry you went through that.
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  • AmyRenee75AmyRenee75 member
    I completely understand. My Ob sent me to see a genetic counselor as well because I am 39. I can honestly say it scared the crap out of me. My fiance had to work and I went by myself. All the statistics they gave me made me wonder what the heck am I doing having a baby at my age? But after calming down, I had to remember millions of women over 35 have happy, healthy babies. We decided against doing any additional testing and handle whatever happens in that delivery room on that special day. I am not going to worry or stress about all the what-ifs.
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  • snikaisnikai member
    yessirio said:

    What!!!!!!! So I'm old???? Lmao!!! I'm 36 n this is my 3rd child n I don't think I'm old! Maybe we need more attention because of our age but wtf lol we're like wine!!! Hahahaha

    You crack me up! Yes we're like wine, not cheese!
    I agree with all PP, it sounds really unprofessional the way this information was presented to you and I'm appalled they would bring up abortion, too. I've worked with kids with downs and they were wonderful! I felt the kids with autism were much more of a handful. At any rate, I wouldn't have an abortion anyway, so why would someone mention it without you mentioning it first. Sounds ridiculous and callous to me!
    I've also never heard of older women having more girls and 35 is at the low end of advanced maternal age. Its not like the the day of your 35th birthday, you're risks suddenly skyrocket!
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  • serome3993serome3993 member
    I don't know how high risk it can be. I had a Sunday school teacher, whom I'm still great friends with her children. She is in her late 40, possibly early 50s. She has 14 children. Her last were twin boys. All of her pregnancies were very healthy, with no risks at all. There could be more to it.
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  • maryandjon+1maryandjon+1 member
    The gender of the baby is determinant on the chromosome carried on the sperm from the man. It has nothing to do with your egg no matter how old you are...
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  • hhankinson14hhankinson14 member
    Coming from a teen.. I wish I were you! 16 vs 34 I'd trade with ya. 34 is not old
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  • MrsPyrowizMrsPyrowiz member
    My mother in law is forty is is due today with her fourth. Yeah, I'm pregnant at the same time as my MIL. Lol. Anyway, she got the high risk speech and a few weeks ago, they told her she should be induced well before her due date because the baby will probably be stillborn if they wait til/go past the due date. I told her if were me, I'd last minute find a new ob who wasn't fear mongering me at every turn because she said this wasn't the first time the ob and staff said things so frightful and insensitive because of her age.
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  • kayleeskykayleesky member
    That's crazy I'm 40 and its crazy to listen to those doctors you are fine. Even at 35 and older odds are extremely in you favor to have a perfectly healthy baby. Sometimes I wish I would have never read the over 35 crap!!
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  • mamasitabonitamamasitabonita member
    MrsPyrowiz said:

    My mother in law is forty is is due today with her fourth. Yeah, I'm pregnant at the same time as my MIL. Lol. Anyway, she got the high risk speech and a few weeks ago, they told her she should be induced well before her due date because the baby will probably be stillborn if they wait til/go past the due date. I told her if were me, I'd last minute find a new ob who wasn't fear mongering me at every turn because she said this wasn't the first time the ob and staff said things so frightful and insensitive because of her age.

    Omg. I can't believe they told her that. Wow...stillborn, that's so mean. I'm so sorry she got that speech.
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  • mamasitabonitamamasitabonita member
    I'm so happy to get this feedback. I feel so much better. My tears and fears are drying out. It's just so upsetting when you're pregnant and emotional, the last thing you need is a scare. As a new mommy I want to protect my little peanut.
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