Getting Pregnant in Your 40s

At IVF FLORIDA, we understand the emotional and physical complexities of trying to conceive later in life. 

A woman in her 40s has a less than 5 percent chance of becoming pregnant on her own each month. For women between 45 and 49, the chance of pregnancy with her own eggs can become as low as 1 percent.  Age not only impacts the likelihood of becoming pregnant, but it also affects the success rates of infertility treatment options as well as the risks of pregnancy itself. 

Because of these increased challenges, patients over 40 are encouraged to pursue a basic fertility work-up to identify any factors in addition to their age that could be potential roadblocks to achieving a pregnancy.  

“We encourage women over 40 who are trying to conceive to see a fertility specialist right away to review any optimization they can begin,” shares Marc Gualtieri, M.D., who sees patients at IVF FLORIDA's Jupiter, Wellington, and Margate locations. “Time is of the essence when it comes to fertility treatment success, so we want to see those patients earlier on, so we can move forward quickly and effectively.”   

What to expect 

When you first meet your fertility specialist, there are a few tests they may perform so they can have a better understanding of your individual case.  

• Bloodwork – helps to gain insight into your hormone levels.  

• Ultrasound – to examine the number and quality of your eggs. 

• Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) – to ensure that the fallopian tubes are not obstructed.  

• Semen analysis – Analyze motility, morphology, and volume of sperm.  

Preparing for pregnancy in your 40s 

In addition to talking to your doctor, there are some good habits women of any age can maintain, to help increase the chance of a healthy pregnancy.  

• Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.  

• Eating a well-balanced diet.  

• Getting regular, moderate physical activity. 

• Quitting unhealthy habits, like smoking.  

• Taking a preconception vitamin, like Luminary Vitamins, 1-3 months prior to trying to conceive.  

If you have any pre-existing conditions that may predispose you to pregnancy complications, like high blood pressure or diabetes, getting these in control before getting pregnant will improve your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. 

Donor eggs for patients over 40 

The uterus can sustain a pregnancy long past 40. But the lack of high-quality eggs presents the largest hurdle for women ages 40 and over. Should testing reveal that a patient's ovarian reserve is very low or there are no viable eggs remaining, you may consider the use of donor eggs or donor embryos, via IVF. The treatment process using donor eggs is very similar to IVF except the egg used comes from a prescreened donor between the ages of 21 and 34. Because these eggs are of higher quality, patients see a higher success rate when using donor eggs.  

“IVF FLORIDA’s donor egg program provides patients with a highly effective treatment option to overcome infertility,” shares Dr. Gualtieri. 

IVF FLORIDA can help make dreams of parenthood a reality

Entering your 40s can be a time of reflection, growth, and new beginnings, but for many, it also brings the desire to start or expand a family. The journey to parenthood at this stage of life is often filled with unique challenges and uncertainties, yet it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Our compassionate team is here to support you every step of the way, offering personalized care and advanced treatments designed to help you achieve your dream of becoming a parent. 

To get started on your fertility journey, request an appointment with an IVF FLORIDA fertility specialist by calling 954-247-6200 or filling out this brief form.