Guest blog by Mara Sampson, a passionate writer and editor.
Trying to conceive when you’re over 40 can be more of a challenge than when you’re in your 20s and 30s. There are many reasons for this, but with the right information and support, it’s still possible to start your family a little later in life.
If you’re TTC over 40, consider all of the risks, benefits, and other facts that you should know during your journey. A safe, healthy and minimal-stress pregnancy is possible, no matter what your age. You just need the right information and guidance to see you through from conception to that magical first post-birth cuddle.
Fertility Factors
One of the biggest challenges for TTC over 40 is a decline in fertility. As women age, their ovaries produce fewer eggs, and the quality of those eggs decreases. There’s also a greater risk of fertility disorders that come with age.
Studies show that one in four women in their 20s and 30s conceives from fertilization that takes place during a single menstrual cycle. In contrast, only one in every 10 women conceives from a single menstrual cycle by the age of 40. Therefore, if you’re over 40, you have a 44% chance of becoming pregnant in one year.
But this doesn’t mean that it’s not possible to conceive over 40. In the US, there’s a marked increase in the number of women conceiving over 40 as the trend for settling down and starting a family later in life gains traction. This shows that later-in-life pregnancy can, and indeed does happen and that it’s becoming increasingly commonplace.
Risk Of Complications During Pregnancy
Advances in technology and medicine around pregnancy, fertility, and delivery mean that it’s possible to have a baby safely when you’re over 40. However, it’s still considered a higher risk due to the advanced maternal age.
Women over 40 are more likely to develop conditions that will complicate their pregnancy. For example, older women more commonly have high blood pressure, which puts them at a higher risk for preeclampsia.
There is also a higher risk of women over 40 having an ectopic pregnancy, which can happen for many reasons. In an ectopic pregnancy, a fertilized egg attaches to the fallopian tube, cervix, or abdominal cavity rather than the uterus. While a pregnancy test may show positive, an ectopic pregnancy means that the egg cannot grow properly. If left untreated, this can result in a medical emergency.
There are also risks that can affect your baby in later-in-life pregnancies and these include:
Macrosomia: A higher birth weight of your baby. The risk of macrosomia increases with maternal age.
Placenta previa: The placenta attaches lower in the uterus, resulting in some of the placental tissue covering the cervix. This can lead to more bleeding during pregnancy and delivery.
Gestational hypertension: High blood pressure that develops during pregnancy and can lead to poor fetal growth or stillbirth.
Miscarriage: The risk of a miscarriage increases as you get older.
Down syndrome: The risk of chromosomal abnormalities increases with age, and older women are more at risk of having babies with Down Syndrome.
There are tests that medical professionals can do to assess your risks and those of the baby, reducing the impact of these risks somewhat. Older women should go for additional scans and tests and be closely monitored by their doctors when TTC and during their pregnancy. This can provide extra peace of mind as quick action can be taken should any issues arise.
Increasing Your Chances Of Conception
Despite these challenges, there are still ways to increase your chances of conceiving over 40.
Your first step should be to create a reproductive plan that you and your doctor can use to prepare you for having children later in life. This can include addressing your diet and checking your partner’s sperm count, as well as STD screenings and other wellness checks.
It’s also best to live the healthiest possible lifestyle, to eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and use the power of the mind-body connection. Staying positive and adopting a positive mindset can help you greatly on your TTC journey. (although this applies at any age!).
Your diet can play a role in conception and foods like salmon, bananas, legumes, and sweet potatoes can all boost your fertility. You should also talk to your doctor about taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid and any other supplements they recommend.
If you’re not conceiving naturally, there are other options you can explore too. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a common choice for older women and can make the process of conceiving naturally less stressful. Alternatively, donor eggs can increase the chances of a successful pregnancy and reduce the risks associated with pregnancy at an older age.
Because of the low window of fertility for women over 40, it’s recommended that if natural conception does not occur within 6 months to a year, a fertility specialist is consulted. A specialist can help to determine any causes of infertility and advise on the best course of treatment.
Benefits To A Later Pregnancy
Despite all the risks, there are many benefits to starting your family later in life.
When you’re over 40, your career tends to be more established, creating more financial stability. You’re also more likely to own property and have a stable home life. This means that you will have more time and resources to raise a child. You’re also more emotionally prepared to handle the responsibilities that come along with raising a family.
Additionally, studies associated with having children later in life show that mothers can enjoy reduced cognitive decline and a longer life span.
Take Care Of Yourself
Conceiving when you’re over 40 often takes longer than trying to conceive in your younger years. Dealing with possible complications and trying new ways of conceiving can be a long, frustrating, and emotionally draining process. You will need to work closely with your doctor to do what’s best for you, your body, and your baby. Try to reduce your stress, take time out to pamper yourself and maintain a safe-care routine, and look after your mental health and well-being. It’s also important that you have a support system to lean on during this time, whether it’s a partner, friends, or a support group of women going through a similar experience.
Remember that there are options. Conceiving over 40 is entirely possible, a healthy, low-stress pregnancy is achievable, and your age doesn’t need to limit the size of your family.
Mara Sampson is a passionate writer and editor who specializes in writing lifestyle content, especially around parenting, DIY, and home renovation. When she’s not tapping away at her keyboard, you’ll find Mara answering expert-level crossword puzzles under the strict supervision of her Abyssinian cat, Munchkin.
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