Final answer:
A '13-fold increase' likely refers to the rise in risk of having a fetus with trisomy 21 in pregnant patients aged 35-45. Pregnancy in this age range involves considerable physiological changes and brings attention to the need for increased medical care for older mothers, including those who are women of color facing higher childbirth-related mortality risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term '13-fold increase in pregnant patients aged 35-45 years old' likely refers to the significant increase in the incidence of having a fetus with trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome, as maternal age increases, particularly in this age group. Data from American Family Physician indicates that the risk of having a child with Down syndrome rises dramatically with maternal age. Furthermore, as pregnancy progresses, especially during the second and third trimesters, there are substantial changes in maternal anatomy and physiology, including abdominal enlargement and weight gain due to the growing fetus, uterus, amniotic fluid, and placenta.
In addition to the physiological changes during pregnancy, it is also important to recognize the sociodemographic shifts such as the 'Baby Boomers Come of Age,' indicating that by 2013, 20% of the US population was over 60. This suggests that a significant portion of the population may receive increased medical care, which could potentially include older mothers. The CDC has reported disparities in pregnancy-related mortality, highlighting that women of color are more likely to die in childbirth.