An increase in life expectancy does not yet mean an absolute increase in the number of years of reproductive life. After the age of 35, the endocrine system is affected by age and starts to go “downhill”, therefore, in China, the age of “advanced maternal age” is defined as the age of the mother who is 35 years old or older at the time of delivery. This is further divided into the older first-time mothers and the older menstruating mothers. What are the risks of giving birth at an advanced age? Older mothers are at a higher risk of having a vaginal delivery or a cesarean section than younger mothers. Because of their age, they are more likely to have pregnancy complications and complications, which often increase the risk of pregnancy and lead to intolerable labor, vaginal surgery (forceps, fetal aspiration, etc.), and cesarean delivery. Some studies have shown that advanced age is also a factor in the occurrence of postpartum hemorrhage. In addition, there is an increased risk of abnormal contractions and abnormal progress of labor during vaginal delivery in older mothers. Is it possible to deliver on your own at an advanced age? The answer is definitely yes, and there are many examples of older mothers around who have delivered their babies successfully. Nowadays, people are living longer, but it does not yet mean an absolute increase in the number of years of reproductive life. After the age of 35, the endocrine system will start to go “downhill” due to the effects of age, which may lead to a decrease in fertility. (1) As people age, they become more susceptible to chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, etc., which themselves can reduce the chances of having children or affect maternal and infant outcomes of pregnancy. As a result, there are concerns about the safety of delivery for “older” mothers. (2) From the medical point of view, a smooth delivery depends on the “four elements” of labor (contractions), birth canal (pelvis), fetus (size) and psychological factors, so it is not difficult to find out that a first birth at an advanced age is not an absolute indication for a cesarean section. In China, “advanced age for first birth” is currently only one of the relative indications for cesarean delivery. If the pelvis is normal, the fetus is of moderate size, and there are no serious pregnancy complications or complications, senior primiparous mothers can still deliver vaginally. (3) More importantly, the older first-time mothers are more educated and have more experience in life, so they can discuss with their doctors in a more scientific and rational way in order to adopt an appropriate delivery method. In addition, a smooth vaginal birth for an older primiparous mother is also dependent on the support of her husband and family, as well as the excellent medical ethics and skill of the medical staff. Do I need to be hospitalized early for a first birth at an advanced age? Even if you are willing to have a vaginal delivery, if you are close to your due date or if you have exceeded your due date and have not yet delivered, you should be hospitalized early if possible so that your doctor can monitor the condition of the mother and fetus more closely and choose an appropriate delivery method. If the decision has been made to have a cesarean section, the mother will be admitted to the hospital a day or two before the operation to complete the necessary procedures such as pre-operative laboratory tests and pre-operative talk and signature. If a senior mom has pregnancy complications or complications, she may be admitted even earlier. What should I do to prepare for a senior birth? Like all pregnant women, it is important to be well prepared both physically and psychologically. What tests should be done for an advanced delivery? The delivery of an older mother needs to be carefully evaluated, whether it is a vaginal delivery or a cesarean delivery, because as we have said above, older mothers are included in the category of high-risk pregnancies. (1) A general physical examination, obstetric examination, biochemical examination of important organs, routine blood and urine tests, coagulation function, ECG, etc. are necessary. (2) If necessary, your doctor may recommend blood gas analysis, echocardiogram, etc. to further evaluate cardiopulmonary function. (3) If pregnancy comorbidities or complications are severe, you may also be asked to have a doctor from the relevant department to jointly assess your risk of delivery. (4) If you have a history of previous cesarean delivery, you will be advised to look at the thickness of the lower uterine segment (original surgical scar) during the ultrasound to predict the risk of uterine rupture.