Ultimate Guide: Getting Pregnant After 40

People in the UK are having children later in life. The Office for National Statistics shows that the average age of a first pregnancy is steadily increasing year on year. It currently sits at around 30.9 for females and 33.7 for males. The number of births to those over 45 increases each year too. 

You might have children later in life for a variety of reasons. Waiting to find the right person, health issues, unknown infertility, focusing on your career, and the list goes on.  

Whatever your situation is, you should get an understanding of the risks and options available to you if you are planning to start your family after 40.  

‍Can I have a baby after 40?

Having a baby naturally at 40 is possible, and it is becoming more and more common. However, there are some physical factors and potential complications to consider.  

Egg quality

As your age increases, your chances of natural conception decreases. Females are born with the number of eggs they will have throughout their life, approximately 400 000, of which, one is released each month during the menstrual cycle. Thousands of eggs are lost naturally over time.  

The quality of these eggs begins to decline from your early 30s, and the decline in quality is accelerated from your mid-30s. From then onwards, your chance of getting pregnant might be affected. By the time you approach the menopause, the 'bank' of eggs will be low, and the quality of those left will be poorer than they were in your 20s or 30s. 

Sperm quality

Males may also see a fertility decline from their 40s. Infertility in males is most commonly linked to sperm health, and from the age of 35, men will begin to see a decrease in sperm health. Males over 45 are 12.5 times more likely to take over two years to conceive. Sperm health is linked to sperm motility, morphology, count and DNA fragmentation. 

Risks and complications

Your risk of complications and health issues increases for you and your baby as your age increases. Pregnancies at a later age can increase the chance of lower birth weight, the need for a c-section and chromosomal defects such as Down’s Syndrome.  

Low birth weight

Your baby is more likely to have a low birth weight, which has the potential to contribute to poor health later in life.  

Low-lying placenta

There is a chance that the placenta can stay low in the womb, this is called low-lying placenta or placenta praevia. It is when the cervix is either partially or completely blocked by the placenta obstructing the exit during birth.  ‍

High blood pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is more likely to affect those who get pregnant after 40. A 2015 study shows the risk of gestational hypertension was found to be 63 times higher in mothers aged 40 to 49compared with the 25 to 29 year...