Oftentimes, surrogates will wait until they are finished having their own families before making the decision to become a surrogate. Because of this, it is not uncommon for surrogates to begin their surrogacy journey in the later years of child-bearing age. While medical standards consider a woman who becomes pregnant after the age of 35 an older pregnancy, it is quite common for women in their 30s and 40s to give birth to happy, healthy babies. Although older pregnancies are not unusual, there are some special precautions that women in the 35-and-older age bracket will need to be mindful of when considering becoming a surrogate mother.
Prenatal care for older surrogates requires the surrogate to be open and honest with the intended parents, surrogacy agency, and physician to ensure the safety of both the surrogate and baby alike. As women age, their chances for experiencing pregnancy complications increase. Some of the most common differences in prenatal care for older surrogates are as follows:
- Special prenatal treatments. The prenatal care and treatments required by women over 35 are much higher as compared to others. This is mainly to check and control the possibilities of pregnancy complications. Surrogates in this age bracket are also advised to undergo a prenatal test between the 16th and 18th week of pregnancy to check for any abnormalities.
- Increased number of ultrasounds. Older surrogates are typically required to have more frequent office visits and check-ups, especially towards the third trimester. A higher number of ultrasounds are also recommended in order to track progress and potential complications.
- Stronger emphasis on healthy habits. While maintaining a healthy lifestyle of regular diet and exercise is important for all pregnant women, it is especially vital for pregnancies in the older age bracket. Where necessary, additional prenatal supplements may be suggested to fill in the gaps to make sure there are the right amount of nutrients for both the surrogate and the baby at all times.
Although becoming pregnant after the age of 35 is technically considered an “older pregnancy,” today, it is far from rare, especially for surrogate mothers. While giving birth later in life is becoming more of a norm, it is still imperative that women in this age bracket take special precautions to ensure a healthy pregnancy for a strong and happy baby. If you are over the age of 35 and are looking for additional resources on becoming a surrogate after age 35, please contact us at Surrogate Solutions today!
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