Getting pregnant at 40: Navigating the challenges and opportunities

An illustration of a woman in her 40's and a positive pregnancy test.
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Created with Carolyn Kay, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology, USA

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In a nutshell
  • Getting pregnant at 40+ is possible but more challenging due to declining egg quality and quantity. Chances of conceiving naturally drop to about 5% per cycle.
  • Fertility treatments like IVF (8-10% success rate per cycle) or egg donation (35% success rate) can increase odds of pregnancy for women over 40.
  • There are increased health risks, but with proper care and lifestyle adjustments, many women have healthy pregnancies.

In recent years, the trend of delayed motherhood has become increasingly prevalent, with more women choosing to start their families later in life. And although there is no one age when a woman must get pregnant, conceiving at 35 and later tends to be more challenging and risky for both mother and baby’s health.

One of the biggest problems for having a baby over 40 is a decline in fertility. As women age, their ovaries produce less eggs, and the quality of those eggs also decreases. This also leads to a higher risk of fertility disorders that come with age.

And even advanced medicine, lifestyle changes and several fertility treatments available today can’t 100% guarantee successful conceiving in some cases. It is crucial to understand the age factor in fertility processes within the body and proactively consult a healthcare professional to find best options for you. 

👉Find out more: Can Mucinex help you get pregnant? How to use it for better fertility

Let’s explore this topic in detail with chances of getting pregnant at 40, fertility treatments you may want to consider and proactive measures to take.

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Chances of getting pregnant at 40

Statistically, most women reach their fertility peak in their late teens to late 20s. That’s when they have more healthy eggs in their ovaries than abnormal ones. As women age, the quality and quantity of these eggs decrease, which leads to age-related infertility, miscarriage, and other issues, making it harder to conceive—both naturally and through IVF.

The key reason for challenging conceiving in women at 40 is increased aneuploidy rates—most eggs are aneuploid (abnormal). This simply means the eggs have an abnormal number of chromosomes —either too many or too few.

Chromosomes are like our body’s instruction manuals, and having the right number is important for a healthy pregnancy. As we age, it’s more common for our eggs to have this chromosome imbalance, which can make conceiving trickier.

When a woman is younger than 30, she has about an 85% chance to conceive within one year. At age 30, there is a 75% chance of falling pregnant in the first 12 months. So, the chance of getting pregnant declines to 66% at the age of 35 and 44% at the age of 40. 

Aside from getting pregnant, there are also statistics on the chances of carrying a healthy baby. Women after 40 are more likely to experience a miscarriage than younger women – a 27% chance at age 40 compared to 16% at 30 or younger.
Late 20s85% chance of conceiving in a year
Early 30s75% chance of conceiving in a year
35-40s66-44% chance of conceiving in a year

At 37, women have about 25,000 eggs, and by age 51 (which is an average age of menopause), they have about 1,000 eggs left. Each menstrual cycle uses some of your egg-containing follicles, but the majority of them will be lost through a natural degeneration process called atresia.

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Chances of getting pregnant during ovulation

Knowing your menstrual cycle improves your chances of getting pregnant. While conception may happen naturally, tracking your ovulation cycle helps guide the process and, therefore, increases your chances of getting pregnant.

The first day of your menstrual cycle starts with the first day of bleeding. At this stage, your body releases hormones like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which makes the eggs inside the ovaries grow. Between days 2 and 14, those hormones help thicken the lining of the uterus so it gets ready for a fertilized egg. This is known as the follicular stage.

On average, the menstrual cycle is 21-35 days. Ovulation usually happens between days 11 and 21 where luteinizing hormone (LH) surges and triggers the release of the egg that’s most ripe. At this time your cervical mucus becomes more slippery since it helps sperm easier make their way to the egg.

The egg travels along one of the two fallopian tubes connecting the ovaries and uterus. And if the timing is right, the egg may be fertilized right on its way to the uterus. If this doesn’t happen within 24 hours, the egg will naturally dissolve. Sperm can live for 5-7 days in the female reproductive systemand knowing when you are ovulating helps you and your partner plan sex for time when you are most likely to conceive.

Generally, the chances of getting pregnant at 40 during ovulation are higher when sex happens 1-2 days before ovulation. So, if you have a regular cycle of 28 days, you may want to count back 14 days from when you expect your next period to start. Plan on having sex every other day around these days, for example, 12 and 14.

👉Find out more: Can you get pregnant when you’re not ovulating?

All women’s bodies are unique, so it’s best to consider the following rather than relying on an average timeline:

  • Download an ovulation app like Femia;
  • Use over-the-counter ovulation and fertility kits;
  • Monitor your discharge (clear and slippery around ovulation days);
  • Check your temperature (a slight increase on ovulation days may occur);
  • Some women also experience mild cramping and breast pain.

Chances of getting pregnant at 42 naturally

A CDC study reports that 30% of women between the ages of 40 and 44 experience infertility. As we mentioned, chances of conceiving naturally become lower as you get older, especially when paired with conditions like PCOS. 

By the age of 40 and further, healthy women have a 5% chance of getting pregnant per menstrual cycle. 

As you get closer to menopause (a time called perimenopause), you might notice your periods becoming shorter or less regular. This can make it tricky to figure out when you’re ovulating. You might need to adjust your timing if you’re trying to conceive naturally.

Sometimes, there might be issues with a partner’s sperm as well. And a uterus can also change with age, which might make it harder for an egg to settle in and start growing.

Don’t let these facts discourage you, though. Every woman’s journey is unique, and many women do successfully become pregnant in their 40s.

How to get pregnant at 40 fast

Getting pregnant at 40 can be challenging both mentally and physically. Let’s explore some recommendations and fertility treatment options you may want to consider to increase your chances of conceiving at 40:

an illustration of a pregnant woman and a chart showing the fertility diet.

1. Consider lifestyle changes to enhance fertility

  • Balanced diet: choose a fertility diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Include foods high in antioxidants, folic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Manage stress: practice relaxation and mindfulness techniques. These may include therapy sessions, yoga practices, and meditation.
  • Reduce caffeine and avoid alcohol: it’s recommended to reduce caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day and avoid alcohol to assist your body’s fertility process.
  • Regular exercise: try to have at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day – could be walking, gym, yoga or any other kind of activity you prefer.
  • Quit smoking: smoking negatively affects both female and male fertility. Quitting smoking can improve your chances of conception.

👉Find out more: Enhancing fertility naturally: A guide to fertility supplements and foods for women

2. Consult a specialist

Consulting an OB-GYN or a fertility specialist is essential when you want to get pregnant at 40. The doctor can perform tests to assess your ovarian reserve, hormonal levels, and overall reproductive health, recommending personalized treatment plans based on your specific case.

Depending on your request, doctors may calculate your chances of getting pregnant naturally and offer treatment options if possible, significantly increasing chances of successful conceiving and pregnancy. 

If chances are low, doctors may suggest advanced fertility treatments, such as IVF or IUI, which have been shown to be effective in different age groups throughout the years. And early consultation is a game-changer when you try to conceive at 40.

Optimize your chances at 40+

Femia offers personalized ovulation tracking and fertility tips for women

Try Femia now

What are potential fertility treatments & their success rates?

When we talk about success rates for fertility treatments, it’s important to understand what we mean by “success.” In most cases, the success rate refers to the live birth rate — that is, the percentage of treatments that result in a baby being born. This is different from the conception rate, which only measures whether pregnancy occurs.

With advanced research and technology used in the healthcare domain, there are several fertility treatments available, and each varies in success rates, particularly for women over 40:

1. In vitro fertilization (IVF)

In this option, doctors retrieve your eggs, fertilize them with sperm in a lab, and transfer the resulting embryos to your uterus.

Success rate: approximately 8–10 % per cycle for women over 40, with a significant drop off with each additional year of age.

2. Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

Sperm is washed and concentrated, then placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation.

Success rate: around 6–8 % per cycle per cycle for women over 40, which is less effective than IVF.

3. Egg donation

In this treatment, doctors use donor eggs from a younger woman, fertilize them with the partner’s or donor’s sperm, and implant them in your uterus.

Higher success rates, around 35% per cycle, because of the healthier and younger eggs.
In vitro fertilization (IVF)8–10% per cycle
6–8% per cycle
Egg donation35% per cycle

Pregnancy after 40: risks and considerations

Pregnant women older than 40 have a higher risk of complications from pregnancy and childbirth. The most common complications include the following:

  • Gestational diabetes;
  • Preeclampsia;
  • C-section;
  • Genetic abnormalities;
  • Premature birth;
  • Miscarriage.

Prenatal care can be helpful in mitigating most of the risks when you have a baby after 40. Research suggests that older parents receiving proper prenatal care have fewer differences in pregnancy outcomes compared to those under 40. 

Prenatal care for older mothers often includes:

  • Lifestyle changes to adopt a healthier lifestyle before and during pregnancy. This includes nutrition-rich food, regular exercise, quitting smoking and alcohol, and high sleep quality.
  • Having regular prenatal visits;
  • Choosing a perinatal center for pregnancy and birth specializing in high-risk pregnancies;
  • Treating any underlying health conditions before conceiving also greatly helps in supporting fertility.

Societal perspectives: is it selfish to have a baby at 40?

Traditionally, society favored having children at a younger age. And this is a modern case too since people still love to talk about biological clocks and the lower energy levels needed for parenting. 

Luckily, this isn’t the only opinion and more people understand the importance of having education and career before thinking about having babies. Despite this growing trend, some judgment and stigma may still be here and rooted in concerns about health risks and potential generational gaps between parents and children. 

While health risks do increase with age, proper prenatal care with advanced medical solutions now significantly reduces many of these dangers. Concerns about energy levels and generational gaps are often exaggerated, as most older parents maintain healthier lifestyles and have a different outlook on life mature compared to younger ones. 

Having babies later in life may come with risks and issues that will have to be solved along the way, but financial stability, emotional maturity and stronger relationships also contribute to a supportive environment for raising children. 

The decision on when and how to have kids is deeply personal and should be respected since it often results in more caring, dedicated, and prepared parenting.

Questions from the Femia community

  • How might having a baby at 40 impact my finances?

    The financial picture of having a baby at 40 can vary widely from person to person. For some, it might not be very different from having a baby in their 30s. In fact, some women find they're in a more stable financial position at 40, which can make the journey easier.

    That said, there can be additional costs to consider, especially if fertility treatments are needed. These treatments can add to the overall expense, but they're not a given for everyone.

    Here are a few financial aspects to think about:

    • Your career and income situation

    • Health insurance coverage

    • Potential need for fertility treatments

    • Childcare options and costs

    • Long-term financial planning

    The key is to assess your own circumstances and plan accordingly.

  • How will pregnancy at 40 affect my career path or job opportunities?

    Pregnancy at 40 can impact a woman's career, particularly if she holds a demanding job. However, balancing work and parenting may be easier with night and day nannies, career adjustments, and family help. Many find ways to adapt and thrive.

    For some women, being 40 might mean they're in a more secure position in their career.

    If you're considering pregnancy at 40, it might be helpful to speak with other working mothers in your field or industry.

  • What emotional challenges might I face becoming a mom later in life?

    Becoming a mom in your 40s can bring up all sorts of feelings. You might feel excited and happy one moment, then worried or unsure the next. That's completely normal!

    You might wonder about your health, your baby's wellbeing, or how it'll fit with your work life. You might even worry about what others think. But remember, every mom-to-be has worries, no matter their age.

    The good news is, you don't have to face these feelings alone. Here are some friendly tips:

    • Talk to people you trust about how you're feeling. They might surprise you with their support!

    • Your doctor is there to answer questions and look after your health. Don't be shy about asking them anything.

    • If you're trying to get pregnant, a fertility specialist can be a great guide.

The bottom line

Becoming a mom at 40 or beyond is a unique journey that comes with its own set of experiences and considerations. While it’s true that fertility naturally declines with age, many women successfully become mothers in their 40s and thrive in this role.

Every woman’s path to motherhood is different. Some might be first-time moms, while others may already have parenting experience. Some may choose single parenthood, while others may have partners. Whatever your situation, it’s important to remember that there’s no one “right” way to become a mother.

Remember, consulting with a doctor can offer personalized advice based on your individual circumstances. They can help you navigate any challenges and celebrate the exciting journey ahead.

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