Starting a Family After 40? What You Need to Know

Preparing to welcome a new baby into the family is one of the most thrilling times in a couple’s life. But if you’re over 40, pregnancy and childbirth can be different experiences than you might’ve had in your 20s or 30s. 

Hany H Ahmed, MD, understands the importance of having the information you need to make decisions about family planning. At his Houston, Texas, office, he can review your health history and discuss what to expect if you’re expecting after 40. 

Good news for expectant mothers in middle age

Lots of women over 40 have healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy babies. If you’re thinking about getting pregnant in your 40s, success is absolutely possible. 

Research shows birth rates for women 40-44 have risen since the 1990s. In the United States, more than 100,000 women over 40 give birth annually. If you’d like to be one of them, Dr. Ahmed and his team can help. 

Why is pregnancy more challenging after 40?

When a girl is born, her ovaries have all the eggs she’ll ever have. Numbering around 1 million at birth, the number declines over time. By age 37, most women have around 1,000 eggs left. 

By your 40s, those few eggs are also older. That means there’s a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities that could lead to miscarriage or problems with your developing child. 

As you age, you also face an increased risk of gynecological conditions that can negatively impact your fertility or ability to carry a healthy baby to term. Endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and pelvic infections are just a few examples. 

The father’s age also affects pregnancy in advanced age. A man’s sperm changes as he ages. It doesn’t move as quickly as it did during his 20s and 30s, making it harder to fertilize an egg. Sperm also changes shape in middle age, bringing a higher risk of genetic abnormalities. 

Timing is important in midlife pregnancies

If you’re trying to conceive after 40, you may not want to spend a long time on the traditional way. The issues mentioned above can make it harder to become pregnant. 

Reproductive technology can make a big difference in your ability to get pregnant and deliver a healthy baby. The process starts with a fertility evaluation by Dr. Ahmed. He can assess your overall health and your reproductive system to determine the best course of action. 

In vitro fertilization (IVF) offers a path to parenthood for many couples. This approach involves collecting your eggs and your partner’s sperm and performing the fertilization process outside the body. Once created, healthy embryos are placed inside your uterus. 

The IVF success rate is higher for younger women but can work for women over 40. If you’re open to using a donor egg from a younger woman, your chances of success rise significantly. 

Ruling out or treating gynecological issues

One of the first steps in fertility care is determining if you have a gynecologic condition that might interfere with getting and staying pregnant. 

Screening options include routine pelvic exams, ultrasound, laparoscopy, and blood testing, which can give Dr. Ahmed greater insight into how well your reproductive system functions. 

If you have one or more women’s health conditions that could affect your fertility, you and Dr. Ahmed explore treatment options. Addressing these issues is often a critical part of achieving a healthy pregnancy and can improve your quality of life by relieving symptoms. 

Ready to get started? Reach out today

If you’re considering starting a family or adding to your family over age 40, we can provide the guidance and support you need. Call the office or request your appointment online today.