Debunking Myths Aabout Safe Childbirth In The 40s

While delaying motherhood is simply a increasing nationalist trend, a caller Orlando Health study reveals a wide nationalist misconception. Over half of Americans (54%) judge women cannot springiness commencement safely successful their 40s. At Orlando Health, doctors are breaking down these misconceptions and empowering hopeful mothers done precocious testing and exertion that ensures safer pregnancies.

Pregnant women complete nan property of 35 are nary different than different younger patients. In my clinic, one-third of my maternity patients are of precocious maternal property and they person routine, uncomplicated pregnancies."

Natasha Spencer, M.D., obstetrician and gynecologist astatine Orlando Health

Dr. Spencer encourages her older patients to commencement pinch preconception counseling to champion optimize their health, including adjusting medications and screening for early gestation risks, specified arsenic diabetes. For nan baby, she recommends bosom ultrasounds, anatomy scans, and chromosomal testing.

These broad precautions are successful spot to guarantee nan information and wellness of some mother and babe during nan afloat word of nan pregnancy. Yet, nan study recovered that little than half of Americans (41%) are alert of nan exertion and testing disposable to alteration risks for a patient babe aft 35 years old.

"We tin diagnose issues earlier, giving america a caput commencement connected things that whitethorn not initially look normal," said Dr. Spencer. "We now person specialists, treatments, and guidance strategies for individuals who whitethorn not person a emblematic pregnancy. Women tin consciousness assured astir having children later successful life."

Melissa Holmes felt uneasy erstwhile she discovered she was pregnant astatine 42 pinch her 2nd son. Facing wellness challenges for illustration achy uterine fibroids, she worried astir carrying a patient pregnancy. A miscarriage successful her early thirties only intensified her fears.

"I didn't want to hole myself and get excited for thing that wasn't going to happen," said Holmes. "But past I made an assignment pinch Dr. Spencer and she assured maine that everything would beryllium okay."

Holmes began taking supplements, specified arsenic robust and prenatal vitamins, and underwent testing for abnormalities. She was besides referred to a high-risk expert to guarantee her babe was increasing strong. By pursuing nan guidance of her Orlando Health attraction team, she safely welcomed her babe boy, Jayceon, into nan world.

"I conscionable wanted to do things otherwise this clip around," said Holmes pinch tears successful her eyes. "Now, my boy is nan logic I prosecute my dreams. There are plentifulness of women retired present giving commencement successful their 40s. It tin beryllium done, and it tin beryllium done graciously."

To thief clear up communal misconceptions, Dr. Spencer encourages each women considering motherhood to activity guidance, optimize their health, and return advantage of nan latest support for a safe, patient pregnancy.

"As obstetricians, we'll beryllium your biggest supporters," said Dr. Spencer. "We are present to supply broad care, guarantee your success, and guidelines by you each measurement of nan way."

Survey methodology

This study was conducted online wrong nan United States by Ipsos connected nan KnowledgePanel® from September 5 to September 7, 2025, and surveyed 1,024 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. This canvass is based connected a nationally typical probability sample and has separator of sampling correction of positive aliases minus 3.1 percent points astatine nan 95 percent assurance level for results based connected nan full sample of adults. The separator of sampling correction takes into relationship nan creation effect of 1.05. For complete study methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact: [email protected].