Looking to conceive for 1st time @40. husband (38) &i very healthy. how concerned should i be about risk of autism, downs, etc.

Medical counseling: It is good to have educational counseling regarding risks related to advanced maternal age. The really fast version is that the risk for these types of problems as well as fetal loss is that at your age the risk goes up with every year.

Half full/half empty: Childbearing at any age has risks.The cited basic risk at any age is 4% for unexpected outcomes.That includes things like cleft lip/palate, prematurity, infection, etc. Down syndrome risk at 40 adds 1%.The issue of autism is hard to define but is <1%.Add all the issues up and by the numbers you have a 94% chance of good outcome. A geneticist could better find and explain your personal risks.