This morning you scrolled through social media and saw a picture of a smiling celebrity, proudly beaming at the camera as she reveals her baby bump at 45. It sparks a deep hope within you. Maybe it won’t be too late.
In fact, pregnancy after 40 is becoming more common. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, ‘Australian women are having fewer children and having them later in life… with the average age of both mothers and fathers steadily increasing since the mid-1970s.’
The truth is that celebrity pregnancy announcements can often obscure the reality of the biological clock and the risks. From the outside, we don’t know the reality. You forget to question whether they have had IVF, or if they froze their eggs and embryos. Or did they use a donor?
So, while many women can conceive in their 40s naturally, seeing only what we are shown from the outside can raise false hope about what is realistically achievable.
To clear the fog of confusion, let’s dive deeper into what you can expect and how to prepare if you are considering pregnancy after 40.
Advantages of getting pregnant after 40
Let’s start with the positive. Pregnancy at any age is a beautiful journey, and fulfilling your dream of motherhood after 40 is possible, just as magical, and brings its own benefits.
- You’re more experienced: A later pregnancy comes with its own empowering perspective and wisdom. You may feel more confident about bringing a new life into the world.
- You’re financially secure: Financial planning is essential when considering family planning at any stage of your life. By 40, you may be more grounded and more financially secure.
However, that said, there are certain risks and realities you need to be aware of.
The risks and realities of pregnancy post-40
You may already be aware that pregnancy post-40 can come with its own risks and challenges for both mother and baby. And let’s not forget that the father’s age matters too.
As a woman, you are born with thousands of eggs. But as you age, the ovarian reserve, along with egg quality, declines, causing an increased likelihood of
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Chronic medical conditions
- High blood pressure
- Gestational diabetes
- Preeclampsia
- Placenta previa
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Needing a C-section
- Low birth weight
- Premature birth
All of which can coincide with massive hormonal changes as you also enter the rollercoaster phase of perimenopause and find yourself navigating the unexpected changes.
Possible risks for the baby
Throughout this journey, let’s not forget the possible chances of complications for your baby, which can include:
- Down syndrome
- Edwards Syndrome
- Certain genetic conditions
How to have a healthy pregnancy in your 40s
The silver lining is that you can become pregnant, have a healthy pregnancy and have healthy babies after 40 by
- Maintaining a clean, healthy diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Staying active with moderate exercise
- Avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs
- Quitting smoking and/or vaping
- Managing stress and your emotional wellbeing
- Taking supporting vitamins like folic acid
For the best chance, we recommend you implement these healthy changes at least three months before you start family planning.
Prepare for a healthy baby after 40 today
Having a baby after 40 is not as rare as it used to be; chances are you may even know someone who had a successful pregnancy after 40 and is now a happy mother.
If you are ready to take the first step toward motherhood after 40, contact our team today to get the best support and the best chance of a healthy pregnancy and baby. Dr Kothari will take the time to answer your questions and guide you throughout your journey towards motherhood.