The risks of pregnancy after 35

In September 2025, Statistics Canada revealed that the average age of Canadian women who became mothers for the first time was 30.7 years. For comparison, in 1959, we were talking about 23.2 years instead. This tangent is also noticeable in Quebec, with an average age of 30.3 years.

What impact can age have on your pregnancy?

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Reasons for pregnancy after 35

There are several factors that can explain the reasons for waiting to conceive. Whether it's a busy career, a schedule less favorable to parental leave, the increase in the cost of living, the lack of a stable relationship or simply not being attracted to parenting yet. Moreover, couples who delay pregnancy often have a higher level of education, greater financial resources and are more prepared for their new role as parents.

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Recommendations for late pregnancy

While all of these reasons are legitimate, they can be associated with risks. La Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Canada (SOGC) in fact, issued a recommendation that women of reproductive age should be advised of the risks of infertility and age-related complications and suggested, already in 2012, measures to be put in place by employers in order to promote motherhood at a younger age. Allowing women a truly free and informed choice. Here is some relevant information on this subject!

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Infertility and maternal age

From the age of 32, maternal fertility declines significantly. Moreover, the rate of infertility and miscarriage is directly proportional to the increase in maternal age, reaching nearly 40% by the age of 40. An advanced age could therefore reduce the ease of conceiving a child.

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The risks of chromosomal abnormalities and birth defects

The rate of chromosomal abnormalities and birth defects is 3 to 4 times higher in women who conceive at an advanced maternal age than among women in the 25-30 age group. After the age of 45, it is estimated that the majority of eggs in women are carriers of genetic abnormalities.

On the side of men, since they are also affected by age, we notice a decrease in sperm quality as early as 40 years of age. It decreases fertility and increases the risk of genetic abnormalities.

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Obstetric complications of late pregnancy

Les older women would increase their risks 3 to 5 times of multiple pregnancy, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, premature birth, placenta previa and cesarean section. The same is true with the rates of perinatal, neonatal and stillbirths, which increase with increasing maternal age.

While every woman is free to give birth when it's convenient for her, our team believes that all women over the age of 35 should be aware of the risks. Thus, they can opt for a antenatal screening complete including theNuchal translucency ultrasound. If this is your case, contact your Prenato team in order to carry out an adapted genetic and ultrasound follow-up!