Can pregnancy make you age faster? New study reveals surprising effects |

For generations, pregnancy has been described as life-changing, a period that reshapes the body, emotions and priorities. But new research suggests the transformation may run far deeper than previously understood, affecting the pace at which a woman’s cells age. A study published in Obstetrics & Gynaecology has found that pregnancy may temporarily accelerate biological ageing, adding a striking new dimension to our understanding of maternal health.Biological age, unlike chronological age, reflects the condition of our cells and tissues. It can quicken under stress or illness and slow down with rest, good health and lifestyle changes. The study’s findings indicate that pregnancy, one of the most physically demanding processes the body undergoes, may prompt a measurable shift in this internal clock.

What the study found about pregnancy and biological age

The research team screened more than 300 women and enrolled 75 first time mothers aged 18 to 50 between 2020 and 2021. Of these, 45 were pregnant at the time. Blood samples taken early in the first trimester and again postpartum were analysed using 11 epigenetic clocks, molecular tools used to estimate biological age.Across six of these clocks, researchers found that pregnant women showed significant acceleration in biological ageing compared with non pregnant women. The effect appeared strongest early in pregnancy, when the body undergoes rapid hormonal, metabolic and immune adjustments to support the developing foetus.Importantly, the findings do not imply permanent damage or irreversible ageing. Instead, they reveal how dynamic and responsive biological age can be, rising during periods of intense physiological demand.

A deeper look at accelerated ageing

Although the idea of ageing faster may sound alarming, scientists emphasise that epigenetic age is not fixed. Unlike chronological age, biological ageing can fluctuate, which means any acceleration seen during pregnancy could be temporary or reversible.Dr Danielle Panelli, the study’s lead author, explained that biological age may eventually serve as a valuable clinical tool. If clinicians can identify a rise in epigenetic age early in pregnancy, they may be able to introduce lifestyle or medical interventions sooner and potentially reduce the risk of complications.

Why biological age may predict pregnancy complications

One of the study’s most noteworthy findings was the connection between first-trimester epigenetic age and several immune-related pregnancy complications. Women with higher biological ages early in pregnancy were more likely to develop:

These relationships held true even when adjusting for chronological age and BMI, suggesting that biological age may be a more precise predictor of risk than simply considering how old a woman is.

Understanding the science of ageing in pregnancy

Epigenetics, the process that shapes how genes switch on and off, sits at the heart of biological ageing research. The National Institute on Aging compares these changes to the rings inside a tree, each layer carrying a record of experiences, stresses and growth. Pregnancy appears to be one of those powerful markers. The body shifts rapidly to support a developing baby, and these intense metabolic and physiological changes may show up in the way our cells measure time. Studying these patterns could help researchers understand why some pregnancies stay smooth while others become complicated, even among women of the same age.

Reframing maternal health risks

Pregnancy later in life has become increasingly common, and the number of births to women over 40 has surged in recent decades. Traditionally, age has been treated as a major risk factor, but this study suggests the picture is far more nuanced. Some older mothers have healthy, uncomplicated pregnancies, while younger women sometimes face challenges they never expected. Biological age, which reflects the body’s real time condition, may offer a clearer and more personalised way to understand these risks.

What this means for the future of pregnancy care

Although the study was relatively small, its findings hint at a new frontier in maternal health. If future research confirms that biological age can be measured and tracked during pregnancy, it could give clinicians a valuable early signal that extra care or interventions are needed. That kind of insight could reshape how pregnancies are monitored and supported.