If a person is 48 years old and has high blood pressure is it okay to be pregnant? If not why?

My neighbor is a 48 year old woman and her husband is 54 and has Hepatitis B. And they want a baby. Is it a good idea?

there are increased risks for mother and baby when the mother is older, including down syndrome, high blood pressure can also cause problems. It may also be more difficult for them to conceive
At age 49, a woman has about a a 1-in-10 chance of having a baby with Down syndrome. Other complications are - Gestational diabetes, Placental problems, Premature delivery, and stillbirth.

BUT, its their choice....

That is risky. Older women and younger women run a higher rate of giving birth to a Downs Syndrome child, which is a baby possessing chromosomal defects resulting in mental retardation, disabilities, and debilitation. Older women typically have more problems in pregnancy too. Furthermore, high blood pressure in the mother is risky both for the fetus and the mother herself. Her advanced age does not help this situation. Perhaps she may stroke or have a heart attack? Is the blood pressure problem controlled? Does she have a weight problem?

Being both parents are advanced in age with medical problems which may be varying in severity, they must take into consideration whether they will live to see their child to the age of majority. It is rather unfair to bring a baby into this world, without full intention to care for it all through childhood, adolescence, and into young adulthood.

I do not know whether this couple has other children, but that is also something to be considered.

I think they should get a puppy.

The thing is it's not really any of anyone's business. However, there are some major risks associated with that. High blood pressure is a problem for the baby and the mother. Also, advanced maternal age increases the risk substantially for many chromosomal abnormalities and other problems. In fact, the human body really is designed to be pregnant during the teens and 20s. That said, it's just their business and something to discuss with their doctor. My husband's cousin's mother was 49 when she had him and everything was fine.

I'm not sure about the Hepatitis B thing. And yes, it is dangerous for her to be pregnant. Her bp can go up higher and that will be bad for her and the baby. This is all assuming she can even get pregnant. I think if they are considering it- it is only their business- but I hope they really seek out information and talk to lots of doctors before going thru with it.

I am a CMA

As she gets older the risks increase that she will have a baby with Downs Syndrome or other abnormalities. She has High Blood Pressure which can cause many issues in pregnancy including death to her and the baby Hep B will be passed along to the fetus... Not to mention that she will be in her 60's when the kid graduates high school which to me is selfish to the child

Risky but possible. I don't think her doctor would advise it. I know if I were *her* doctor, I wouldn't advise it! She already has problems with her health now, those will multiply if she gets pregnant. It is, however, possible to have a child. She has to keep her BP controlled at her target range, and keep all other possible problems in check. Her OB would know what anti-hypertensive she could SAFELY use while pregnant... though I can't think of any right now without my drug formulary on hand.

Hep B is not really a risk factor. We just give the baby a shot of the vaccine several hours after birth to make sure they run a lower risk of getting the virus (then another one later on...)

Why don't they just adopt? There are lots of babies out there in need of good homes and if they have so much love to give, they can just give it to that baby who needs it. She doesn't have to go through 9 months of gestation at 48-49 years old. I would think that an older couple would have a good chance of adopting esp if they're both well established in their careers, more mature outlook, etc.

Oh and isn't this your neighbor's business? Why is your nose in it? Is she asking for your advice?

LOL

i would suggest her to adopt a child i got pregnant with my child when i was 17 years old and had high blood pressure and devolped hellp syndrome and me and my daughter almost did not make it.if it was not for god looking over me we would not have made it.so i really from personal experaince say it is not a good idea.

you cant be serious... so what you're asking is "is it okay for an elderly couple to give birth to a child who they will give Hepatitis to immediately after being born and who they will turn into an orphan as they will both most likely be dead before the child is 18".

they are too old to have kids, in my opinion, anyways. They should adopt an older kid. That way when the kid turns eighteen they would't be 72 and 66. P;lus they are being selfish because they could die when the kid is like twenty

No. The risk is very high. Anything above 35 is considered pretty high risk, with C-section being pretty likely.

They should adopt. It is a lot safer for her and it is healthier for the baby.

This is really a medical issue that only they can see with their doctor.

It would be a very bad idea.

That is between them and her doctor.

In my opinon they are to old to have kids