Conception After the Age of 40

Although it is possible to obtain a normal pregnancy after the age of 40, ertility in women declines rapidly after 37 years of age.

Ovarian aging is characterized by both a decrease the amount and quality of the oocytes remaining in the ovary.These oocytes are stored in the form of primordial follicles. The ovarian “reserve” or amount of remaining primordial follicles may be clinically assessed with serum hormone measurements and pelvic ultrasound.The uterus on the other side may be able to sustain a pregnancy over the age of 60. Therefore,women may successfully complete a pregnancy after menopause using donated acolytes.

Pregnancy after age 40: What are the risks for the gestating woman?

These risks depend greatly on the woman’s general health condition.

Women with hypertension, diabetes or other systemic illnesses may have a greater risk of developing pregnancy-associated complications.All women should assess their general medical condition before considering a pregnancy.

Pregnancy after age 40. What are the risks for the baby?

Older women have an increased risk of conceiving babies with congenital abnormalities due to chromosomal disorders (i.e. Down Syndrome, trisomy 18) compared with younger women. The risk of chromosomal disorders at age 30 is 1/526. The risk increases from 1/195 at age 35 to 1/66 at age 40 and 1/42 at age 42. These disorders may be detected prenataly during the second trimester by examining the placenta, amniotic fluid or umbilical cord blood.

In case of oocyte donation, what are the risks for the baby?

Oocyte donation by healthy women under the age of 32with no history of hereditary diseases decreases the risk of congenital malformations to the baby to a minimum (see how donors are selected screening on oocyte donation. The risks to the gestating woman depend on her baseline health condition.