Statistics?

[Goolia]

Hi all...I have been Googling all around to try and figure out what the stats re: miscarriage 35+, after seeing/hearing the heartbeat, AND after 12 weeks.

Most stats don't seem to have a breakdown by week for 35+, and I have found a few sources that say women who are 35+ still have a 16% of miscarriage after seeing a heartbeat. Which doesn't seem right to me, given how low the percentages for younger women (I have read anywhere from 1%-7%).

I guess my question is this: Do we (as 35+ ladies) get kind of "stuck" at 16% risk, even after 12 weeks? Is 16% as good as it gets, basically?

 

[Sewergrrl]

I honestly don't know, but personally wouldn't let statistics bother me. Do those studies take everything into consideration like health, weight, lifestyle, risk factors, etc? Who produces the numbers like 16%? I wouldn't Google anything like that because you're going to find all kinds of conflicting info and some of it will scare the bejeebus out of you.

If something is going to happen, then it's going to happen regardless of what we know or don't know about the percentages. Please don't be worried because of the potential grim outlook for us older ladies. Enjoy your pregnancy and worry about something if it's presented to you and not what-ifs. The stress of that isn't worth it.

 

[AngelUK]

Sewergrrl is so right! I have definitely found out that Dr Google is NOT your friend! The things I have read that can go wrong made me half crazy with worry! And we should avoid stress like that. Besides so far all I can say is that I am having a very good and healthy pregnancy and I am 41 and having twins Try and relax and enjoy your pregnancy. xxx

 

[SabrinaKat]

I can say for over 40 (was 41 at first pregnancy/mc and 43 at this pregnancy, and am 25+wks) that there's a 40% chance of mc at around age 42/43 BUT after hearing heartbeat/good scan (I had one at 9 wks due to previous mc...), my risk went to about 1-5%, and after 12wks, down to 1%. Obviously, I am very nervous and cautious but my doctor, who is a specialist in neo/ante-natal fetal medicine is confident that all is well, but does listen to my worries -- even with a cervical bleed at 14wks, she only did a scan to reassure me! We had an anomaly scan at 19wks and 24wks (to confirm that everything was ok with heart as you can see the whole structure, etc)...

I was worried, particularly as my health was not very good a few years ago at first pregnancy/mc and spent the last two years getting my wisdom teeth out, losing weight, quitting smoking (I didn't smoke when pregnant first time, but when mc started,....). Also, I have PCOS, so my GP put me on metformin and we also discovered that I had an underactive thyroid and take medication for same. I would agree with Sewergrrl that it's lots of factors that decide mc rate, etc.

best wishes

 

[Torontogal]

Goolia, I don't have much to add to the excellent points already posted, but it stands to reason that if they younger cohort's risks go way down after 12 weeks, so do ours. LOL it's what I've been assuming anyway, and my health care providers don't seem too worried.

Hope you have a happy and healthy pregnancy. Ans I assume you have reached the 12 week mark and seen the heartbeat - congrats

 

[Goolia]

Thanks for your replies, all. I think your advice to "stop Googling" is obviously very good advice ;-).

I think I am just seeking something "objective" to reassure myself a little bit, the same way that the younger women in the other areas of this board seem to find some comfort in the 1-3% risk number after they pass 12 weeks/see a heartbeat. Or the way 35+ ladies are often comforted when they learn of their personal chances of certain birth defects after screening. There can be comfort in the stats, in other words - as long as the stats work in one's favour, of course ;-).

I know nothing with pregnancy or birth or child-rearing...or heck, in life...is guaranteed. There are risks in everything. But I am kind of risk-adverse by nature, so I do find it very reassuring when the risks are on the lower side.

I am really just seeking something that will help me relax just a *bit* so that I can stop telling myself "IF this pregnancy works out..." all of the time. It's not good for my mental health nor my ability to bond/attach. I guess I am just envious of the low number younger women get told, whereas there doesn't seem to be any concrete stats for us 35+ ladies relating to the post-12 week part of things. I want to know our number dang it!

Anyway, I'll survive, no matter what happens. Thanks again for reading these neurotic posts and taking the time to respond!