Actress Han Da-gam, 47, announced her pregnancy six years after marriage, drawing growing public attention to the risks of advanced maternal age associated with childbirth in one's 40s.
According to the medical community on Monday, pregnancies at age 35 or older are classified as "advanced maternal age." In particular, the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth increases markedly after age 40.
Key risk factors in advanced maternal age pregnancies include gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, hypertension, preterm birth, cesarean section, and postpartum hemorrhage. Domestic and international studies report that mothers aged 40 and above face approximately two to three times higher risk of gestational diabetes and about twice the risk of preeclampsia compared with women in their 20s and 30s.
Risk factors also exist on the fetal side. Advanced maternal age pregnancies are associated with higher rates of preterm birth and low birth weight, as well as increased rates of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Some studies have found that the risk of preterm birth for mothers in their 40s is about 1.5 to 2 times higher than for those under 30.
These elevated risks are attributed to declining egg quality with age, a higher probability of chromosomal abnormalities, and a greater likelihood of underlying maternal health conditions. In particular, the probability of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome rises rapidly after age 40.
However, experts emphasize that advanced maternal age does not necessarily lead to negative outcomes. They explain that many pregnancies can be maintained stably when regular prenatal checkups and early risk management are carried out in parallel.
The trend of rising childbirth age is also evident. According to Statistics Korea, mothers aged 35 or older accounted for 53.5% of all births in 2023, exceeding half, while births to mothers aged 40 or older rose to around 8%, continuing an upward trend. The medical community views personalized health management as increasingly important amid the growing prevalence of childbirth at advanced maternal age.
Meanwhile, Han Da-gam announced her pregnancy via social media earlier in the day, marking six years since her marriage. "I got married at 41, and now in the sixth year of marriage, I'm having a baby," she said. "I think I'll be able to meet the baby in the fall."
She added, "Since I may be one of the oldest mothers, I'll pay even more attention to exercise and health management."
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