Misinterpreted study prompts false claim that getting pregnant later in life increases lifespan
Plus, conversations debated whether older birthing parents are more likely to have babies with Down syndrome.
Plus, conversations debated whether older birthing parents are more likely to have babies with Down syndrome.
In recent weeks, social media users discussed a 2014 study that found that getting pregnant after age 33 is a sign of slower biological aging. However, some misinterpreted the study to mean that getting pregnant in life improves health and longevity, while others raised concerns about health risks associated with pregnancy later in life. Separately, a viral post from an older mother sparked debate about whether maternal age impacts the likelihood of having a baby with Down syndrome. Plus, articles about a Kentucky woman who was arrested after having a self-managed abortion fueled concern about abortion bans.
In response, communicators may share information about pregnancy later in life and offer legal resources for people seeking abortions and miscarriage treatment.
Insights brought to you by the reporters and science writers of Public Good News (PGN), a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to improving community health.
What’s trending nationally in conversations about reproductive health:
Recent social media posts discussed a 2014 study from Boston University that found that people who are able to become pregnant after age 33 tend to live longer than those who become pregnant earlier. Many commenters misinterpreted the study to mean that having children later in life improves health and increases lifespan. However, the study’s authors wrote that later fertility is a marker of slower biological aging and that waiting to get pregnant does not increase lifespan. Some commenters also raised concerns about the increased risk of pregnancy complications in older pregnant people.
On December 16, a Facebook user shared a video responding to criticism she said she received for having a baby after age 30. The video shows a visibly pregnant woman holding a child who appears to have Down syndrome. Text on the video reads, “Anytime someone says ‘you were too old to have a child, you knew she would end up having Down syndrome.’ Guess I didn’t learn my lesson.” The post received approximately 6.1 million views, 30,400 likes, and 1,800 comments as of January 7. Commenters were largely supportive of pregnancies later in life and shared stories about getting pregnant in their 30s. Some debated whether older maternal age increases the likelihood of having a baby with Down syndrome. A few accused the woman of being irresponsible for getting pregnant later in life and increasing the risk of having a baby with a chromosomal difference.
Last week, a Kentucky woman was charged with fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence after allegedly taking abortion pills that she had ordered online to end her pregnancy and burying the fetal remains in her backyard. The charge of fetal homicide was later dismissed. While Kentucky bans doctors from performing abortions, legal advocates say that the woman should not face these charges for a self-managed medication abortion. Social media users discussed the news across platforms, with many expressing alarm that the woman had been reported to police by clinic staff after she disclosed her alleged abortion. Many commenters warned that seeking medical care after an abortion or miscarriage comes with legal risks in states with abortion bans. Some also suggested that abortion bans do not prevent abortions and instead force pregnant people to seek abortions outside of the medical system.
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
Recommendations for public health professionals
The Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about reproductive health.
Conversations about pregnancy later in life provide an opportunity to explain that starting at age 35, the risk of pregnancy complications like miscarriage increases. Messaging may highlight ways that older pregnant people can lower their risk of complications, such as managing existing health conditions, receiving prenatal care, quitting smoking, avoiding all alcohol, exercising, and eating a nutrient-dense diet. Additional messaging may explain that the likelihood of having a baby with Down syndrome or another genetic condition increases with age, especially for those who get pregnant at 35 or older. Communicators may encourage people trying to get pregnant to talk with their doctor about any age-related concerns and recommended genetic screening.
In response to concerns about legal action after a medication abortion, communicators may want to recirculate the Repro Legal Helpline, a free resource that connects people with lawyers who can answer questions about miscarriage, abortion, and birth. Additional resources include AbortionFinder.org, which helps people find reputable abortion providers, and Plan C, which offers information about accessing abortion pills in every state. Additional messaging may explain that there is generally no way for health care providers to determine that a patient has taken abortion pills and that the symptoms that occur after taking abortion pills, like bleeding and abdominal cramping, are the same as miscarriage symptoms. Communicators may note that the treatment is typically the same for both incomplete abortions and incomplete miscarriages. Emphasizing that it’s up to patients to decide whether they tell a health care provider about a medication abortion is recommended. Messaging may reiterate that abortion pills are very safe and that the risk of serious complications is less than 1 percent.