Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
|
|
 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Getting Pregnant at 51 | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
I am 51 years old, in excellent condition, and am considering getting married to my 43-year-old partner. We both have children from previous marriages and would like to have a child together. After two cesarean deliveries with my sons, I had my tubes tied. My children are and have been in excellent health since birth. I am interested in finding out whether the chances of my becoming pregnant at such a late period in my life and having my tubes opened involves much danger or complications. I know that women my age do have babies but I am wondering about the consequences. We are able to provide for the child financially but have to really think about a guardian if something should happen to us.— Eunie in Jacksonville, FL | | | ANSWER |
October 11, 2001 | | | Dear Eunie,
There are a few issues about pregnancy at older ages: getting pregnant and issues once you are pregnant.
The first hurdle for you, if you decide this is the right choice for you and your family, is getting pregnant. It is very, very unlikely that you can get pregnant with your own eggs--so there is no real reason to go through the surgery to "untie" your tubes. If you want to have a baby, you almost certainly would need to use donated eggs (from a younger woman) and in vitro fertilization techniques.
The issues about starting a family at your current age, and making certain that there will be provision for your child's needs if something should happen to you are very personal concerns that you and your husband need to think through. Physically, many women in their fifties can handle a pregnancy, provided that there are no pre-existing medical conditions. A pre-conception visit for a medical assessment by your obstetrician would be a good idea if you plan to move forward with this idea.
I hope that this answers your questions. Good luck to you.— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
|
