What images come to mind when you hear the word “geriatric?”
I envision walkers, old folks’ homes, dementia, dentures, cream of wheat… just to name a few. But do you know what DOES NOT come to mind? A healthy 35-year-old pregnant woman. A woman who is strong and young. A woman who can chase her toddler around at the park, take a one-hour spin class, and bear the weight of the world on her shoulders. A woman whose womb is still hospitable and able to create a beautiful life for a new baby.
The term “geriatric pregnancy” or even the revised version “advanced maternal age” is so bloody offensive to me. I’m 35 and currently trying to become pregnant. So if all goes well… I will fall under that ridiculous, God-awful category. My eyes have rolled all the way back into 1984. I pity the first doctor who uses one of those terms to my face. Go ahead and write in in my chart if you must. Whisper it behind my back. But for the love of all that is holy – do not say it to my face!
Now listen. I’m not a doctor. And I’m well aware of the fact that there are risks associated with having children “later in life.” I know that the chances for certain birth defects are higher. I’m aware that they probably have a good reason for putting middle-aged women into their own special little category when it comes to pregnancy. But can we PLEASE stop using these heinous terms to describe a perfectly healthy 35-year-old woman who is carrying a child? I could list at least 10 different descriptions off the top of my head that would be more appropriate and less offensive.
The truth is that many women are waiting until later in life to marry. Which can lead to having children later on in life. Women are no longer rushing into marriage and children in their early 20’s the way they have in decades past. And there’s nothing wrong with that either! But for many women, it’s just not the reality anymore. We have educations to complete, careers to get started, student debt to pay off, a down payment for a home to save for. And most importantly, some women are just not ready or ABLE to have children at the tender age of 25 anymore.
Now, I’m sure the “American Academy of Geriatric Pregnancies” (I’m pretending that’s a thing) is going to read this blog post and revamp the entire category. But that will probably take awhile. Ya know, red tape and all. But in the meantime, I’m going to be over here having healthy babies at the ripe old age of 35, or GASP… 36, 37, or 38. And they can kiss my old pregnant behind if they want to use their antiquated terms to describe me.
A freaking men!!! Why are more women not completely up in arms about this?!?! I’ll switch doctors for telling me to stop eating salt don’t you dare try and tell me I’m too old also!!!
Hi! I delivered 2 wonderful healthy little ones at ages 44 & 47. I heard all the fabulous terms they use during each of my pregnancy’s. They even made me see a specialist during my last because of my age. Both were even natural pregnancies which surprised my doctor.
I agree that they could certainly come up with better terminology or at least not label everything with geriatric pregnancy/advanced maternal age. So many of my tests were coded with those words. Then I’d get this look from the registration clerk and you could just read their thoughts.
Terminology or not, I’m am thankful for my 2 healthy and extremely active little ones that are keeping me on my toes.
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