Author - Dr Asha Baxi

MBBS, FICOG, FRCOG, MS

Consultant- Obstetrician, Gynaecologist & Infertility specialist

Best Treatment Options for Infertile Women Above the Age of 40 

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 30% of women between the age of 40-44 experience infertility. The chances of getting pregnant are highly reduced by the age of 40 years. Dr Asha Baxi, MBBS, FICOG, FRCOG, MS, Consultant- Obstetrician, Gynaecologist & Infertility specialist, tells us that only 5% of women at the age of 40 get pregnant. If you are above 40 and planning to start a family, it is important to visit the top IVF doctor in Indore to discuss your treatment options. 

What Are the Fertility Treatments After 40? 

The assisted reproductive technology or ART from the best IVF doctor in Indore can allow you to get pregnant even after the age of 40. ART includes various techniques including intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The age of conceiving, however, can also greatly affect the method of fertility treatment. For instance, IUI success rates are lower than 5% in women over the age of 40. 

IVF, on the other hand, has greater success rates for older women ranging to 15% per cycle. The lower percentage is because of the deterioration of egg quality. As a woman gets older, the eggs in her ovaries begin to deteriorate. These damaged eggs make it harder to conceive as well as pass chromosomal abnormalities to children. Upon visiting the fertility specialist in Indore, the doctor will examine the quality of your eggs and the chances of chromosomal abnormalities in your children. If the percentages are high and your eggs are not meeting the standards, the doctor will recommend egg donation.  

The success rate of IVF with donor eggs can be as high as 35% for older women. Despite surmounting success rates, your child won’t share the same genetic makeup as yours due to egg donation. This can make the procedure difficult for couples.  

 What Are the Pregnancy Risks After 40? 

 Advanced science and technology have enabled a woman to get pregnant even after the age of 40. At this stage, however, the women face unique challenges and risks that can make the entire procedure difficult.  

 Becoming pregnant after the age of 40 can increase your risk for: 

1. Caesarean delivery (C-section). 

2. High blood pressure. 

3. Preeclampsia. 

4. Gestational diabetes. 

5. Premature labour and birth.  

 Apart from the above, a report has found that more than 34% of pregnancies in women between the age of 40-44 years end in miscarriage. This rate is up to 53% for women above the age of 45.  

Getting pregnant at or above the age of 40 without fertility treatments can put you and the health of your child at risk. If you are over the age of 40 and wish to conceive, seek help from Dr Asha Baxi at the Motherhood IVF. The fertility specialist will evaluate your health with different tests to assess your risk of infertility or miscarriage. Following evaluation, the doctor will suggest a proper treatment plan to help you conceive and have a child.