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Becoming a mother at 40 (and beyond): possibilities, benefits and risks
Maybe when you are younger you think that being a mother at 40 is crazy. But the reality is that the years go by and it is never the right time to start your own family. It also happens that you start seeking at 30 something, it gets complicated, you start an assisted reproduction treatment. Conclusion: pregnancy at 42.
We spoke to Dr Elena Santiago, fertility specialist at Vida Fertility about the risks and benefits of becoming a mother after the age of 40 and the countries that allow Egg Donation.
There are as many situations as there are women, and it is they who will end up writing their own story. Some will decide to educate themselves until they reach the professional stability they so desire. Others have decided to postpone it for another time, because they need to grow up before seeing someone else grow up.
There are those who have not found the ideal partner to form their life project and have decided to become single mothers. Or those who cannot. Who knows. The truth is that, nowadays, it is very common to start having children at the age of 38 or 39, to end up having them after 40.
- 1. Risks of becoming a mother at 40
- 2. What are my chances of becoming a mother beyond the age of 40?
- 3. Does the risk of abnormalities in the baby increase?
- 4. Advantages and benefits of being a mother after 40
- 5. Being a single mother at 40
- 6. Frequently asked questions about becoming a mother at 40
- 6.1. Is it too late to become a mother at 40, 42, 45 or older?
- 6.2. Why is it so difficult to get pregnant after 40?
- 6.3. Does age affect the quantity or quality of eggs more?
- 6.4. Is it true that after the age of 40, most eggs have genetic abnormalities?
- 6.5. Can I become a mother with my own eggs after 40?
- 6.6. From what age is egg donation recommended?
- 6.7. What tests should I have before attempting to conceive at 40?
- 6.8. What does it mean to have low ovarian reserve at 40?
- 6.9. Does AMH determine whether I can become pregnant?
- 7. Our fertility treatments
- 8. Where can I find Vida Fertility centres in Spain?
Risks of becoming a mother at 40
After the age of 40 it is very difficult to achieve pregnancy naturally. At 35 years of age, the so-called ovarian reserve (quality and quantity of eggs) begins to decrease.
If you are already undergoing fertility treatment, it may not exactly be a bed of roses.
But, once the test shows that you are pregnant (finally), at Vida Fertility we always recommend that you take care of yourself more than ever. It is true that a pregnancy at 45 is not the same as at 35, your body does not react the same.
An older pregnancy may be associated with increased complications such as:
- Gestational diabetes.
- Premature placenta.
- Cesarian delivery.
- Pre-eclampsia.
- Threat of premature delivery.
These are situations that, on the other hand, could also occur if you give birth at 37.
At Vida Fertility we want you to have peace of mind. That is why we always recommend that you go to a specialist for the monitoring and control of your pregnancy. That you follow all the guidelines set by your gynecologist and perform the necessary tests.
What are my chances of becoming a mother beyond the age of 40?
As the years go by, a woman’s fertility rate decreases, the miscarriage rate increases, the number of genetically healthy eggs decreases and, with it, the probability of birth defects such as Down’s syndrome increases.
After the age of 40, the fertility rate per month is only 5%, even through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Embryo biopsies performed in Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis reveal that at least 90% of the eggs of a woman over 40 have genetic abnormalities.
For this reason it is not surprising that many of our patients resort to IVF treatment with donor eggs and partner or donor sperm, if necessary. In this case the chances of pregnancy exceed 80%.
Does the risk of abnormalities in the baby increase?
As we have already mentioned in this article, becoming a mother at 40 (or older) can be linked to an increase in chromosomal abnormalities in the baby, such as Down syndrome.
However, in assisted reproduction centers there are such advanced techniques that allow the detection of certain anomalies in the embryo before it is transferred to the mother’s uterus. We are referring to Genetic Diagnosis prior to implantation.
PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing) is a technique for selecting embryos that detects genetic alterations before the embryo is transferred to the uterus of the future mother. We speak of PGT-A when the study is done at the chromosomal level, and PGT-M when it refers to the study of a particular gene.
To perform Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, we need to extract several cells, through a biopsy, from embryos at the blastocyst stage (day 5-6 of embryonic development).
After the biopsy, the embryos are vitrified (frozen) until the genetic results are obtained, which takes about 3-4 weeks.
With these results, we will be able to know with certainty whether the embryos will be able to give rise to an evolving pregnancy and increase the probability of a healthy baby being born. The biopsy has no risk for the development of the embryo.
Advantages and benefits of being a mother after 40
A pregnancy at 40 is lived with more maturity, since the decision has been very meditated. In addition, it is likely that you will have economic and emotional stability that will allow you to face this stage of life with more tools at your disposal.
Moreover, experts say that mothers over the age of 40 take more care of themselves. They know that pregnancy at that age can be associated with an increase in complications and they decide to take care of their health so that this does not happen and thus favor the correct development of the baby.
Beyond the advantages, the reality is that you have already made the decision and your happiness comes from seeing your baby’s face. At Vida Fertility, we are here to help you make it happen. First of all, to help you get pregnant and then to accompany you until you have your baby in your arms.
If you want to know your chances of achieving pregnancy, consult one of our fertility specialists. Make your appointment HERE.
Being a single mother at 40
The decision to be a single mother at 40 is an act of courage and self-love that more and more women are choosing. At a time of full personal and professional maturity, many wish to fulfil their dream of becoming a mother without a partner.
If you find yourself in this situation, it is natural to have questions and concerns about the treatment options for becoming a single mother, success rates and how to choose the best fertility clinic (in Spain).
We have a more detailed article on the tests to be carried out before undergoing treatment to become a single mother, on age and female fertility, and on the laws on anonymous donors in Spain.
Frequently asked questions about becoming a mother at 40
Is it too late to become a mother at 40, 42, 45 or older?
Dr Elena Santiago replies:
It is not ‘too late’ from a biological point of view, but it is true that female fertility declines significantly after the age of 40. Nowadays, there are effective treatments that make it possible to achieve pregnancy even beyond the age of 45, especially thanks to in vitro fertilisation and egg donation.
The key is to assess each case individually and not waste any time.
Why is it so difficult to get pregnant after 40?
Dr Elena Santiago replies:
Most of the cases we see in consultation are due to ‘ovarian reserve’.
With age, the ovaries reduce both the number and quality of eggs. This translates into fewer effective ovulations, lower fertilisation rates, more embryos with genetic abnormalities and a higher risk of miscarriage.
It is a natural biological process, not a personal failure.
Does age affect the quantity or quality of eggs more?
Dr Elena Santiago replies:
Age affects the quantity and quality of eggs, but egg quality is the most decisive factor. Although some women still ovulate at 40 or older, many of those eggs are no longer genetically viable, making it difficult to develop healthy embryos.
We currently have the VIOLET technique, a novel AI technology that allows us to predict egg quality.
Is it true that after the age of 40, most eggs have genetic abnormalities?
Dr Elena Santiago replies:
Yes. Studies and embryonic analyses show that from the age of 40 onwards, more than 80–90% of eggs may have chromosomal abnormalities. This explains the low rate of successful pregnancies and the increased risk of miscarriage.
Can I become a mother with my own eggs after 40?
Dr Elena Santiago replies:
Yes, it is possible, but the chances are limited and depend greatly on the exact age and ovarian reserve. In women aged 40–42, IVF with their own eggs can still be attempted in selected cases. From the age of 43–44 onwards, success rates with own eggs are very low and other options must be considered.
From what age is egg donation recommended?
Dr Elena Santiago replies:
It is not recommended based on age, but rather on reproductive prognosis. However, in clinical practice, egg donation is usually the option with the highest probability of success from the age of 42–43 onwards, or earlier if there is low ovarian reserve or previous IVF failures.
What tests should I have before attempting to conceive at 40?
Dr Elena Santiago replies:
We recommend a complete fertility assessment that includes:
- Hormone testing (AMH, FSH, oestradiol)
- Gynaecological ultrasound scan
- Uterine assessment
- General blood tests and serology tests
These female fertility tests enable us to determine the best treatment from the outset.
What does it mean to have low ovarian reserve at 40?
Dr Elena Santiago replies:
It means that the number of eggs available is lower than expected for your age, which is relatively common after the age of 40. Low reserve reduces the chances of success with your own eggs, but it does not prevent you from becoming a mother, as there are effective alternatives such as egg donation.
Does AMH determine whether I can become pregnant?
Dr Elena Santiago replies:
Not directly. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) tells us about the quantity of eggs, not their quality. Low AMH does not mean that it is impossible to achieve pregnancy, but it does help us to choose the most appropriate and realistic treatment.
You can read more information about AMH here.
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Where can I find Vida Fertility centres in Spain?
📍 C/ Palermo 15, Hortaleza, 28043 Madrid
📞 Phone number: +34 919 29 83 23
🕒 Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm
📍 Av. Óscar Esplá 1, Bajo, 03008 Alicante
📞 Phone number: +34 919 29 83 23
🕒 Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm
ℹ️ The information published on Vida Fertility is reviewed by our fertility specialists and medical team, following up-to-date scientific criteria and evidence-based medicine. Our team is a member at scientific societies such as SEF, ESHRE and SEGO.
