Many women today are waiting until later in life to have children. In the United States, birth rates for women in their 30s are at the highest levels in three decades. However, an older mother may be at increased risk for miscarriage, birth defects, and pregnancy complications such as twins, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and difficult labors. Some studies show that while there may be a greater likelihood of pregnancy complications in older women, their babies may not have more problems than babies of younger women. This is more likely when women receive prenatal care and give birth in a healthcare facility equipped to care for high-risk mothers and babies.

Risks for Chromosome Abnormalities by Maternal Age

Maternal Age	Down syndrome	Any abnormality
15 to 24 years	1/1300	1/500
25 to 29 years	1/1100	1/385
35 years	1/350	1/178
40 years	1/100	1/63
45 years	1/25	1/18

It is possible that risks may be higher as many statistics only report live births and do not take into account pregnancies with chromosomal abnormalities that were terminated or ended due to natural pregnancy loss. There are approximately 400 different types of chromosome abnormalities that have been observed in humans, however, many are rare. The risk for Down syndrome makes up almost half of the maternal age risk for chromosome abnormalities.

In general, for women under the age of 40, after having one child with Down syndrome, the chance of having another baby with Down syndrome is 1 percent. After age 40, the recurrence risk for Down syndrome is based on the age of the mother at delivery. It is important to know that about 75 percent of babies with Down syndrome are born to women under the age of 35. This is because women under the age of 35 have more babies than women over 35. The physician may refer parents to a genetic specialist or genetic counselor who can explain the results of chromosomal tests in detail, including what the recurrence risks may be in another pregnancy and what tests are available to diagnose chromosome problems before a baby is born.

Brush at least twice a day. If you can, brush after every meal. Brushing removesplaque, a film of bacteria that clings to teeth. When bacteria in plaque come into contact with food, they produce acids. These acids lead to cavities. To brush:

• Place a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste on the head of the toothbrush. (Use a soft toothbrush.)
• Place the toothbrush against the teeth at a 45-degree angle to the gum line.
• Move the brush across the teeth using a small circular motion. Continue with this motion cleaning one tooth at a time. Keep the tips of the bristles against the gum line. Avoid pressing so hard that the bristles lie flat against the teeth. (Only the tips of the toothbrush clean the teeth.) Let the bristles reach into spaces between teeth.
• Brush across the top of the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Make sure the bristles get into the grooves and crevices.
• Use the same small circular motion to clean the backside of the upper and lower teeth -- the side that faces the tongue.
• To clean the inside of the bottom front teeth, angle the head in an up-and-down position toward the bottom inside of the mouth and move the toothbrush in a small circle.
• For the inside of the top front teeth, angle the brush in an up-and-down position with the tip of the head pointing towards the roof of the mouth. Move the toothbrush in a small circle.
• Give your tongue a few gentle brush strokes, brushing from the back of your tongue forward. Do not scrub. This helps remove bacteria and freshens your breath.
• After brushing your teeth for two to three minutes, rinse your mouth with water.
• Replace your toothbrush with a new one every three to four months.

When we get stuck outside in that nasty summer heat, we’ll wish for any form of cooling—be it a breeze, a swim, or even a snow storm in July. While a snow storm isn’t really likely to happen, it may comfort you to know that despite how hot it is where you are, there are some places around the world that have it much worse. Sevilla, Spain has seen temperatures of 122 F (50 C) and Oodnadatta, Australia reached 123.3 F (50.72 C) at one point in time. While those temperatures are beyond unbearable, there are some places around the world with even hotter temperatures on record. Here are the top 5:

5. Tirat Zvi, Israel (129 F/53.9 C)
The Hottest Places countdown starts with a religious kibbutz in the Beit She’an Valley of Israel. Located 721.8 ft (220 m) below sea level, this kibbutz is the largest date grower in Israel, operates a meat processing factory, and has a lulav (a closed frond of the date palm tree) business. Oh, and if you’ve no idea what a kibbutz is, it’s a collective community traditionally based on agriculture, though modern times have seen the addition of industrial and technological branches. Tirat Zvi achieved it’s hottest temperature on June 22, 1942.

4. Rub’ Al Khali, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen (131 F/55 C)
Our second destination doesn’t take us too far from the first one. Known as the Empty Quarter in English, this is one of the largest sand deserts in the world and covers most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula—or an area greater than the combined land of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. Supposedly, it’s the second most oil-rich place in the world, but it’s also highly inhospitable. You may find plants here and there, or perhaps a rodent or arachnid, but don’t expect to find many people. Though, with summer temperatures that climb up to 131 F, I don’t blame anyone for not wanting to stick around.

3. Death Valley, California, USA (134 F/56.7 C)
Now, we are taking a (possibly) unexpected turn to the west and heading to the Mojave Desert of California, US. Death Valley is home to the lowest, driest, and hottest places in North America, although they are not all one in the same. The lowest place is the Badwater basin, located 282 ft (86 m) below sea level, but the hottest temperature was recorded at Furnace Creek. Death Valley sprawls near the border of California and Nevada; contains faults, salt pans, and a few water ways; and is home to a number of wildlife, including plants, birds and fish. The hottest temperature here was recorded on July 10, 1913.

2. Al ’Aziziyah, Libya (136 F/57.8 C)
For the longest time, this place was considered the hottest on Earth. However, it wasn’t until recent years that another place knowingly beat this record—by a considerable amount, at that. Also referred to as El Azizia, this capital city is located in northwestern Libya. Surprisingly, Al ‘Aziziyah is actually a major trade center, despite the insanely hot temperatures. Not far from Tripoli, this city is home to over 300,000 people and while it may not necessarily be the hottest place on Earth anymore, it is at least the hottest place inhabited by the most people. Their long-held record breaking temperature was originally recorded on September 13, 1922.

1. Dasht-e Lut, Iran (159 F/70.6 C)
Our number one spot takes us right back to the area we started in and it has definitely earned this spot. Dasht-e Lut (or the Lut Desert) beat Al ‘Aziziyah’s record by 23 degrees F not once, but twice—both in 2004 and 2005. This area is a salt desert and also the 25th largest desert in the world. Part of the area is covered with black volcano lava, which aids in the absorption of a lot of sunshine, thus keeping the temperature nice and hot. The eastern portion of Dasht-e Lut consists of a plateau with salt flats, as well as ravines and sinkholes; while the southeastern section has a lot of sand and some of the tallest dunes in the world (up to 1000 ft high). It’s been suggested that no living creature can be found anywhere in this desert and while that is up for speculation, I certainly wouldn’t be surprised. Could you tolerate temperatures up to 159 F?