How Old Is Too Old to Have a Baby? Age & Fertility Explained

Are you experiencing that sweet baby fever? It can happen to anyone at any age. If you plan to become a parent later in life, you might ask if age matters when having a baby.

Experts say you are of "advanced maternal age" (AMA) if you get pregnant after age 35. However, you shouldn't let that label discourage you; many women successfully conceive after age 35. However, what happens if you are forty years old or older?

This post will answer your questions and inform you about your chances of getting pregnant by age. It will also highlight risks that may be involved for you and your baby if you conceive at an old age.

Let us dive in together!

What is Advanced Maternal Pregnancy?

What is Advanced Maternal Pregnancy?

A pregnancy in a woman who is 35 years old or older is called an Advanced Maternal Age (AMA) pregnancy . It is sometimes loosely called a geriatric pregnancy. Although this term may seem old-fashioned and even a bit harsh, it points out that these pregnancies need more medical care.

Women aged 35-40 can still have a smooth pregnancy with proper prenatal care. However, after a woman turns 40, having a baby can become more challenging.

Pregnancy Success at Different Ages: What are the Odds?

Women, indeed, have a biological clock for their fertility. It begins at the first period (menarche) and ends when you go through menopause. As time passes, a woman's odds of a successful pregnancy decrease. This happens because she has fewer eggs each month. Also, the quality of your eggs worsens, and the delicate balance of sex hormones changes too.

●      Most women in adolescence have about 300,000 to 500,000 eggs. This number decreases to about 25,000 by age 37, falling to 1,000 or less by age 50 and beyond. The number of eggs a woman has usually correlates with her fertility. ACOG states that a woman's chance of getting pregnant each month is 1 in 4. This is true even if she has many eggs and is in her twenties or early thirties. When you hit 40, the likelihood of getting pregnant each cycle drops to 1 in 10.

Here is what research says about the odds of a woman getting pregnant after a year without medical help^[1];

Pregnancy Success at Different Ages

While there is a lot of focus on women, age also impacts male fertility, but the effects happen more slowly. Sperm quality, count, and motility decrease around ages 40 to 45. This can make it harder to get pregnant and may increase the chances of genetic problems.

When Is It Too Late to Get Pregnant?

The answer to this question is not straightforward. From a biological view, menopause happens when a woman hasn't had her period for a year or more. At this stage, it is almost impossible for her to become pregnant without medical assistance. Most women hit this milestone during their late 40s and early 50s. Before this milestone, a woman in her late 30s or 40s can still get pregnant without assistance, though it may be more challenging.

Fertility experts, like the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), believe any woman can get pregnant with medical help. This is true even if she has no ovaries or ovarian function as long as she has a normal uterus. This means that a woman can still conceive with fertility treatments, even after menopause.

Risk of Pregnancy After Age 40

Risk of Pregnancy After Age 40

Many women in their forties can have a successful pregnancy. However, certain dangers for both mother and infant seem to rise with maternal age ^[2]. They include;

• Reduced Fertility: It may take longer to get pregnant as you approach menopause. This is because women are born with a specific number of eggs. That number is gradually decreasing over time. As you age, your eggs might lose quality. This can make fertilization harder.
• Miscarriage: The chances of loss and stillbirth go up as a person gets older. More often than not, this is due to chromosomal problems in the baby. Research shows that miscarriage from chromosomal issues in infants is tied to lower egg quality as women age ^[3].
• Multiple babies: The likelihood of having twins increases as a person ages. Hormonal changes can result in the release of more than one egg at once. Assisted reproductive methods, like in vitro fertilization, can also help.
• Higher chance of C-section: The risk of pregnancy problems rises after age 35, leading to more C-sections.
• Gestational diabetes: This kind of diabetes only happens while a woman is pregnant and is more prevalent in older individuals. People with gestational diabetes need to manage their blood sugar. They can achieve this by eating healthy foods and staying active. At times, medicine is also necessary. If gestational diabetes is not managed, it might lead to a baby being larger than typical. The risk of injury during delivery is higher when the infant is larger.
• High blood pressure: Research shows older women are more likely to get high blood pressure in pregnancy. The risk of pregnancy complications from high blood pressure, such as pre-eclampsia, increases with the mother's age.

Risks for the Baby

Risks for the Baby

If you conceive at 40years or beyond, some possible risks to your baby include;

• Premature birth: Babies from older moms are likelier to be born early. This can lead to developmental challenges.
• Low birth weight: Older women have a higher risk of low birth weight in pregnancies.
• Chromosomal problems: Babies born to older women are more likely to have gene issues. For instance, the chance of having a child with Down syndrome is about 1 in 1,480 for a 20-year-old woman. By age 40, this chance rises to 1 in 85.

What About The Father’s Age?

Men can become fathers later in life, but it carries some risks. Here are some of the dangers of having a baby with an older man;

• Higher Risk of Autism and Schizophrenia: Studies show that babies of fathers over 40 are more likely to have neurodevelopmental disorders ^[4].
• Lower Fertility Rates: Men's fertility drops with age, which can make conception more challenging. However, this decline isn't as noticeable as in women.
• Higher Miscarriage Rates: As men age, their sperm quality drops. This leads to more pregnancy losses.

What to Expect If You Are Pregnant At Age 38 or Older

If you are 38 years old or older and pregnant, you should expect to be monitored more closely. Doctors usually suggest;

• More Prenatal Appointments: Your doctor will likely schedule extra visits. This helps monitor potential problems like high blood pressure and gestational diabetes in pregnancies for older mothers.
• Genetic Screening and Testing: Tests such as noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and amniocentesis can identify chromosomal abnormalities.
• Birth Plan: If you have a high risk of complications, your doctor may consider scheduling a delivery or C-section.

What to Expect If You Are Pregnant At Age 38 or Older

Is It Selfish to Have a Baby at 40?

It is pretty human to think that delaying pregnancy to a later age is selfish. If you feel this way, you are not alone. While some people argue that having a child later helps parents feel more financially secure and emotionally ready. Others believe holding out till an older age could affect pregnancy outcomes and harm the mother and baby.

In truth, good parenting is about giving love, stability, and a nurturing environment, not just about timing. Adults in their forties can bring valuable life experience, patience, and wisdom to parenting. These qualities can easily outweigh any physical limitations. There are health risks and long-term preparations to consider when having a baby at 40. However, these challenges don't mean having a child at this age is selfish.

How to Increase Your Chances of a Healthy Pregnancy

If you are considering getting pregnant after age 40, here are some things you can do to increase your chances.

• Fix a pre-conception appointment with your doctor: If you plan to have a baby after 40, talk to your doctor about any worries. Your doctor might suggest pre-conception tests and lifestyle changes to improve your chances.
• Get regular, early prenatal care. The first eight ^[5] weeks of pregnancy are crucial to your baby's development. Starting prenatal care early boosts your chances of a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby. Prenatal care typically includes examinations, medical tests, birthing classes, and counseling.
• Eat a healthy diet: During pregnancy, you need more essential nutrients. Folic acid, iron, and vitamin D are key. You can get these by improving your diet. If you're already living healthy, continue doing so. Taking a daily pregnancy vitamin can help cover any nutritional needs. Start taking a prenatal vitamin a few months before you get pregnant.
• Keep a healthy weight: Being underweight or overweight can mess with ovulation and hormones, making it harder to conceive. Consult with your doctor to develop a plan that is best for you.
• Talk to your doctor about genetic testing: Consult your doctor about which genetic testing you if you are trying to have a baby at age 35 or older. Cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) testing detects certain disorders in your baby, like Down syndrome [8]. Your doctor will collect DNA from your blood and that of your baby for the test. This screening can also detect disorders such as trisomy 13 and 18. Other screening tests include amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling. These can also be used to diagnose specific genetic abnormalities.

While aging affects fertility, it does not necessarily imply that you can't successfully conceive at an older age. If you think you've waited too long to get pregnant, talk to your fertility doctor. They can help with your concerns and discuss your options.