When a Woman it is turning years and the cuarenta years it is more difficult to get pregnant as the infertility. According to experts after forty it is almost impossible to stay pregnant using your own eggs.
Although there are many women over forty who become pregnant, some use Treatments fertility and others not. But not everything is negative when it comes to waiting longer to be mothers, there are many expected benefits for both mother and baby.
To get pregnant after forty you need to be prepared emotionally, mentally and physically. You have to keep a diet balanced, rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutritional components and avoid alcohol. It is necessary to consult with the doctor to rule out any disease or impairment that the mother. It is also necessary for the couple to be in good physical shape, maintaining a good level of Stress and improve the state physical in general, it can increase sperm production in men.
Some of the and advantages What is involved in waiting until that age to have children is to have had a time for maturity and to see the world. Supposed to have more to maximise security and your enjoyment. economic and there is greater confidence in the professional plane. It is also said that having the same booths you have a solid foundation for raising a family. The eating she also gets along better with this age, she is more prepared for breast-feed and you are in better conditions to take better foods fruits before sweets and sugary drinks.
When does fertility begin to decline and why?
La fertility female decreases progressively: it begins to decrease after the 30, is accentuated from the 35 and the descent is marked as you pass the 40In each cycle, a woman in her twenties can have around 25%. probability of pregnancy; around the age of 30, around the 15%.; after 35 it goes down to the 8% and close to 40 it can be situated around 1-5%The main cause is the decreased ovarian reserve and oocyte quality, with more anovulatory cycles and more embryos with chromosomal abnormalities due to errors in the meiosis.
This context also explains the increase in spontaneous abortions and ectopic pregnancies with age. In addition, with the passage of time, pathologies such as myomas, endometriosis or thyroid disorders that can influence conception and the progress of pregnancy.
At what age would it be inadvisable and when should we ask for help?
La edad By itself, it does not contraindicate pregnancy in the absence of serious pathology; it does imply report with clarity of risks and plan controls. After the 40, if there is no pregnancy after 6 months regular intercourse, it is advisable to consult for a fertility study. A check-up preconception A complete checkup (blood pressure, glucose, thyroid function, breast examination as indicated, vaccinations, habits) helps minimize risks. male It also adds: with age, seminal quality can decrease and it is advisable to optimize lifestyle.
Most frequent risks and complications
- First trimester: higher rate of abortion and ectopicIn women over 35, abortions exceed 1 in 5, and in those over 40, they can approach 1 in 2.
- Second/third trimester: increases the risk of intrauterine death, preeclampsia y eclampsia, gestational diabetes, hypertension chronic or pregnancy and thromboembolismDiabetes can multiply by ~4–5 and HTA by 3–12.
- Previous placenta and placentation abnormalities: the risk can be several times higher and is an important cause of hemorrhage pre-labor.
- Multiple gestations (more frequent with assisted reproduction), premature birth (in a single pregnancy it can be around 5-6%; in twins it is close to 45%.), further caesarean and instrumental births.
- Intrauterine growth restriction and fairer chromosomal disorders (syndrome of Down, Edwards, Klinefelter), due to the increase in oocyte aneuploidies with age.
Options for achieving pregnancy: natural and assisted reproduction
Getting pregnant safely natural It is possible after age 40, although the probability per cycle is low and the time to achieve it is usually longer. Therefore, the recommendation for referral after 6 months without success is common.
artificial insemination (AI): indicated in selected cases. With donor semen Rates per attempt can be around 21-24% in women under 40 and around the age of 15%. in those over 40; the cumulative rate after three attempts can reach 46-56% (under 40) and around 26%. in those over 40. With partner's semen The average per attempt is close to 14%., according to age and diagnosis.
In vitro fertilization (IVF): substantially improves the pregnancy rate. With own eggs The probability decreases with age (in those over 40 it can be around 12-27% accumulated after transferring all the embryos in a cycle). The Egg donation offers high rates, since the oocytes come from young donors: a cycle can approach Up to 70% of clinical gestation and with several consecutive transfers can reach very high figures.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGT-A): helps to select euploid embryos when there are advanced maternal age o repeat miscarriages. It involves embryo biopsy (invasive procedure), can detect mosaicism and does not always represent 100% of the entire embryo; it requires individual ethical and emotional assessment.
Preconception and pregnancy care
Before you try it, adopt Healthy Habits: quit smoking and alcohol, start folic acid at least a month before, review Vaccines (rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis B as indicated), optimize weight and control pre-existing conditions. Exercise moderate (walking, swimming, cycling, yoga) is beneficial; too much can be counterproductive. Managing the Stress and have Psychological Support when necessary, improve the experience of the process.
During pregnancy, monitoring should be more comprehensive: blood pressure and blood glucose, function thyroid, screening of breast cancer according to the criteria, surveillance of the fetal growth and well-being, and prevention of preeclampsia in high-risk cases (the specialist may prescribe preventive medication).
Prenatal screening and diagnostic tests
There is evidence non-invasive (ultrasound, biochemical markers, combined screening, tests based on Fetal DNA in maternal blood) and techniques invasive with diagnostic confirmation (amniocentesis, chorionic biopsy, cordocentesis). The choice is made with your team, evaluating risks y expected benefits. A correct one birth control allows for the early detection and treatment of most complications.
Common myths and realities
- High risk ≠prohibition: With good health and proper monitoring, serious problems are rare, although the risk increases.
- Natural is not impossible: the probability is low (~5–7% per cycle), but spontaneous pregnancies do occur.
- No more malformations by age in general, but more chromosomal abnormalities.
- The man also counts: the quality of the sperm may decrease with age and habits.
Postponing motherhood has its challenges, but also strengths and maturity, the support for all Economic commitment and a better management of habits. With planning, controls and, if necessary, support from the Assisted reproduction, many women live a full motherhood and safe after 40.
