TikTok Gynecologist Highlights Benefits of 'Geriatric' Pregnancy

Long before many of us even think about having children, we are all bombarded with the message, “You MUST get pregnant before the age of 35.” Why? We are given many reasons, many of which are either overstated or pure myths.

“It's so hard to get pregnant after 35!” (Not always.)

“It’s so dangerous for you to be pregnant at 35!” (Not by nature.)

“Your baby is at high risk for all sorts of genetic abnormalities!” (Increased risk is not the same as high risk.)

But Dr. Noa Sterling, a gynecologist who posts on TikTok as @drsterlingobgyn, has a positive message for moms in their mid-30s.

“Talking about the benefits of pregnancy at 35+ is one of my favorite things to do,” she begins. “First, children of older parents are healthier and perform better in school. Children of older parents also have fewer emotional, social and behavioral problems. People's reaction to this is often, “Well, because people who are expecting children are more financially stable,” to which I say, “Exactly.” … Many of us are waiting to have children so we can be more financially stable and, as a result, our children will do better in school and have better health outcomes.”

Additionally, many of these studies actually took socioeconomic status into account, so there may be more to it than just better circumstances that often come with age. And it's not all good news for babies whose parents are old enough to run for president. Apparently moms benefit from it too.

“Several studies have shown that women who have children later in life actually live longer,” shares Sterling. Additionally, she cites another study that found that women who had a baby after age 35 had better cognitive outcomes and verbal memory after menopause than women who had their last child before age 35.

And again, a lot of this can probably be traced back to the idea that better socioeconomic status, achieved by waiting to start a family until you're more financially stable, might play a role… but why should that be the case? ? be given less weight than any evidence that it is entirely a question of genetics?

“Of course, in order to reap these benefits, you first have to get through the pregnancy,” she notes. “And that's why it's really important to talk about what we can do to reduce the risk of complications in pregnancy after 35.”

In follow-up videos, Sterling highlights precautions one can take to avoid some of the more common problems that can arise in so-called “geriatric pregnancies.” Low-dose aspirin to reduce the risk of blood pressure complications (like preeclampsia) is a simple measure that can make a big difference. She recommends people discuss cervical length screening and other measures with their provider.

“We are not in a position to simply accept all the risks and do nothing about them,” she says. In another video, she highlights another important note. “There are young people who are at a much higher risk of becoming pregnant than someone who is just 38 years old if they are pregnant. And most people of advanced maternal age have healthy babies.”

Ultimately, when it comes to “advanced maternal age,” it’s important to know what you’re doing could may be at risk, but it is equally important to remember that possible risk (or even increased risk) is not certain doom. Talk to your caregiver, be proactive, and then sit back and enjoy your statistically healthy, well-adjusted children!