Advanced maternal age
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Advanced maternal age and assisted reproduction
More and more women are postponing motherhood until later in life. The reasons are varied: a greater focus on career, the search for personal or partner stability, or simply the desire to enjoy youth before childbearing. However, delaying childbearing also means facing a biological reality: female fertility declines with age.
At what age is advanced maternal age?
Advanced maternal age is considered to begin at 35 years of age. From this age, the quality of the eggs begins to decline, which reduces the chances of a natural pregnancy and increases the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo.
What are the challenges of advanced maternal age in assisted reproduction?
Women of advanced maternal age who use assisted reproduction face some specific challenges:
- Reduced ovarian reserve: The number of available eggs decreases with age, which reduces the chances of obtaining mature, good quality eggs for fertilisation.
- Increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities: Eggs from women of advanced maternal age have an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities, which may increase the likelihood of miscarriage or a baby with genetic problems.
- Lower success rate of treatments: In general, the success rates of assisted reproductive treatments, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), are lower in women of advanced maternal age.
What options exist for women of advanced maternal age?
Despite the challenges, women of advanced maternal age are not doomed to infertility. There are different options that can help them achieve their dream of motherhood:
- Fertility preservation: Egg freezing at an early age may be an option to preserve fertility and increase the chances of success in future assisted reproductive treatments.
- In vitro fertilisation (IVF) with embryo selection: IVF with embryo selection allows embryos to be screened before transfer to the uterus, in order to select those with the lowest risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
- Egg donation: Egg donation can be an option for women who for various reasons cannot achieve gestation with their oocytes. We always consider this option as a last resort.
What advice can we give to women of advanced maternal age who wish to become mothers?
- Plan ahead: If you want to postpone childbearing, it is important to consult an assisted reproductive specialist in your 30s and beyond to assess your ovarian reserve and discuss the options available.
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy weight, regular physical activity, avoiding smoking and eating a balanced diet can help preserve fertility.
- Seek emotional support: The process of assisted reproduction can be emotionally challenging, so it is important to seek support from your partner, family, friends and clinical team. Our team is available at all times to clarify any doubts that may arise and to help you make decisions. Within our team we have psychologists who specialise in emotional support for people who require it as part of assisted reproduction treatments.
