What is a significant risk associated with advanced maternal age during pregnancy?

Advanced maternal age, typically defined as pregnancy occurring in women aged 35 and older, is significantly associated with an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. This is primarily due to the aging of the eggs within a woman’s ovaries, which can lead to errors during cell division. Conditions such as Down syndrome, which is a result of an extra copy of chromosome 21, become more prevalent in pregnancies among older women.

This risk factor arises because as women age, the likelihood of experiencing conditions resulting from chromosomal anomalies rises due to both the natural decline in egg quality and the greater potential for genetic mutations. As a result, prenatal screenings and testing for chromosomal abnormalities are often recommended for women of advanced maternal age to assess and manage these risks effectively.

While the other options suggest scenarios that may not typically apply to advanced maternal age, understanding the implications of chromosomal abnormalities remains critical for healthcare providers to appropriately counsel and support expecting mothers in this demographic.