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A 23-year-old male asked:

When should a woman have her first child by? for example is there a sharp increase in pregnancy risk over a certain age?

2 doctor answers7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Gregory Hines
Family Medicine 26 years experience
Over 35: Over the age of 35, your risk of Down syndrome goes up.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Dennis Higginbotham
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology 32 years experience
When she is ready: There is not an age when there is a "sharp" increase in pregnancy risks. Generally speaking, pregnancy risks tend to increase with age. That also applies to risks for genetic anomalies (like down syndrome), that risk at age 35 is 1 in 270 and it increases with each year. There is no specific age that is recommended as "best" to have your first child.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

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Last updated Sep 28, 2016

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