First-Time Moms: More Are Older

American women are waiting longer to become mothers.

The numbers for 2002, just released by the Centers for Disease Control, show that the average age of first-time moms is 25 - an all-time high.

The Early Show's Dr. Mallika Marshall says the current age for first-time moms is up from age 21 in 1970. She explains what the new numbers mean and what women should know if they're delaying childbirth.

Marshall says there's some good news behind the figures. In the past decade, the number of teen births has dropped by 30 percent to an historic low.

Babies of teen moms are at higher risk for complications, especially if the mother doesn't get good prenatal care. Also, the emotional strain of an unplanned pregnancy on a young girl can take a toll on the mother's and child's health.

At the same time, the number of first-time moms over the age of 35 is at the highest level ever. With longer life expectancies and advances in medicine, America is seeing a number of women giving birth well into their 30s and 40s.

But, Marshall says, women need to also understand that fertility begins to decline, albeit slowly, beginning as early as age 27. And, there are some risks to infants born to mothers who are considerably older. Marshall says women need to be fully informed when planning their pregnancies.

For women over 30, Marshall recommends the following to prepare for a baby:

• Avoid alcohol and cigarettes
  
• Eat a healthy diet
  
• Take folic acid: Taking folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Marshall says beginning a few months before conception, women should take a daily multi-vitamin containing at least 400 micrograms of folic acid.
  
• See a fertility specialist: Women over 35 are encouraged to see a specialist sooner rather than later. If they're not getting pregnant after a several months of trying, they may want to consider seeing a fertility specialist.

• More frequent complications: Expect such things as high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. Early diagnosis and careful monitoring are key here. Women in their late 30s also have a greater risk of miscarriage and a higher C-section rate, as well.
• Increased risk of birth defects: As women age, the risk of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality, such as Down's Syndrome, increases. Some doctors will recommend that older moms undergo genetic counseling and even prenatal tests, using amniocentesis or similar techniques to look for things like Down's Syndrome. These tests carry a small risk of miscarriage, so you should discuss all of the options with your doctor.

Marshall says it is fine for women to put off having children, as long as they understand the potential risks and the potential benefits.