Finding out you’re pregnant in your 40s can stir up a lot of feelings — excitement, surprise, maybe even a little anxiety. Whether this is your second pregnancy or your sixth, age can change how we care for both you and your baby.
At Nile Women’s Health Care, we specialize in supporting women through every stage of life, including pregnancy at an advanced maternal age. If you’re 40 or older and expecting, your prenatal care will likely look a bit different than it did in your 20s or 30s.
From a medical standpoint, your pregnancy is considered high risk — not because something is wrong, but because age naturally increases the chances of complications.
As women age, certain biological changes make pregnancy more complex. Egg quality and quantity decline with time, which increases the risk of chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome. Older mothers are also more likely to experience:
That said, many women in their 40s have healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy babies. The key is personalized, proactive prenatal care.
When you're over 40, we typically recommend more frequent prenatal visits to monitor both you and your baby closely. These may include:
These help detect chromosomal conditions and other potential complications earlier in the pregnancy, allowing for timely decision-making and intervention, if needed.
This simple blood test screens for certain genetic conditions like Down syndrome and is safe for both mom and baby.
These detailed scans go beyond standard ultrasounds to look for structural or developmental issues that may be more common with advanced maternal age.
Additional ultrasounds also enable us to monitor fetal growth and assess placental health. Monitoring your baby’s size and the function of the placenta helps us ensure your baby is growing well and receiving proper nourishment.
We may also perform a transvaginal ultrasound to measure your cervical length to assess the likelihood of early labor, which is more common in pregnancies over 40.
These diagnostic procedures offer definitive information about chromosomal abnormalities and may be recommended depending on your screening results or family history.
Because these conditions are more common in older pregnancies, we track your blood pressure and blood sugar closely and intervene early, if needed.
This test combines ultrasound and non-stress testing to measure movement, muscle tone, breathing, and amniotic fluid levels. This test gives us a snapshot of how well your baby is doing late in pregnancy.
We prepare for a range of possibilities, including early delivery or Cesarean section, if needed, so you're never caught off guard.
We also keep a close eye on your overall health. If you have preexisting conditions like thyroid disease or diabetes, we coordinate care to make sure everything stays well-managed throughout your pregnancy.
Our experienced OB/GYN team provides compassionate, evidence-based care for high-risk pregnancies at both our Roswell and Johns Creek locations. We tailor your care plan to your specific needs and stay with you every step of the way — from your first positive test to your baby’s first breath.
Pregnancy in your 40s comes with some extra considerations, but it also comes with maturity, perspective, and a deep sense of gratitude. We’re here to walk alongside you, offering peace of mind and expert care through it all.
Call Nile Women’s Health Care to schedule an appointment with one of our high-risk pregnancy experts to ensure you’re doing all you can to have a smooth pregnancy and safe delivery.
