Fertility at 40
Postponing parenthood has become an increasingly more popular in the last two decades, but waiting to start a family can present certain difficulties in conceiving. Age is the single most important factor that affects fertility. At the most basic level, with advancing age the egg quality and quantity go down. As they decrease, the risk of miscarriage and complications in pregnancy and childbirth increase. Below are facts to be aware of if you’re trying or thinking about trying to get pregnant at 40:
Facts about fertility in your 40s:
- Fertility has fallen by half.
- The chance of conceiving each month is around 5%.
- A woman is more than five times more likely to have a stillbirth than a woman under 35.
- The risk of miscarriage is greater than the chance of a live birth.
- Stillbirth is five times more likely than a woman under 35.
- It’s more likely to have a baby with birth defects or genetic abnormalities.
And for some good news:
- Most women still have a 40% chance of getting pregnant with their own eggs.
- The range of fertility treatments available today makes motherhood in the 40s a completely viable option.
Regardless of age, you can maximize your chances of conceiving each month by figuring out exactly when you ovulate. In addition, if you are trying to conceive over 40 and having no luck, consider consulting with a fertility doctor to maximize the chance of getting pregnant.