Why is Getting Pregnant After 40 Difficult? 3 Tips to Maintain Healthy Fertility

Let’s examine the causes of difficulties conceiving after age 40 and offer helpful tips to preserve healthy fertility.

Pregnancy after 40: The number of women choosing to conceive after age 40 has been on the rise, marking a significant shift in social dynamics. This growing trend can be attributed to the remarkable progress in women’s freedom and equality in most developed countries. These advances have allowed women to focus on their careers, explore their passions and fulfill their ambitions before feeling compelled to start a family in their twenties. India.com contacted Dr. Anu Sadashiv, Reproductive Medicine Specialist at Milann Fertility and Birthing Hospital KumaraPark Bangalore to recognize the biological factors that can pose challenges during pregnancy at the age of 40.

It is important to understand the biological reasons that may suggest difficulties at this point, although it is still possible to have a healthy pregnancy after the age of 40. These include hormonal imbalances, irregular menstrual periods, and a natural loss of fertility caused by decreased fertility. quantity and quality of eggs, an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities, and other factors. Infertility affects 30% of women between the ages of 40 and 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

WHY IS IT HARD TO GET PREGNANT AFTER 40?

1. Age-related decline in fertility: Women’s fertility naturally drops with age. This is because there are fewer good eggs available for fertilization. Women have a finite number of eggs when they are born, and as women approach menopause, their supply of eggs dwindles considerably, reducing their chances of getting pregnant.
2. Decreased Ovarian Reserve: Decreased ovarian reserve is one of the significant factors causing decreased fertility after the age of 40. This refers to the reduced number of eggs left in a woman’s ovaries. The quantity and quality of a woman’s eggs deteriorate with age, since she has a finite number of eggs when she is born. So when a woman is 40 years old, she has fewer surviving eggs, which are more likely to have chromosomal abnormalities.
3. Increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities: Chromosomal abnormalities in the eggs are more likely to occur as women age. Down syndrome is the best-known chromosome abnormality, caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. After age 35, the chance of becoming pregnant and having a child with Down syndrome or another chromosome abnormality increases significantly and continues to increase with age. time. . This is a factor that makes it difficult to get pregnant after the age of 40.

3 TIPS TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY FERTILITY

1. Managing stress levels: Fertility can be affected by high levels of stress. A more conducive environment for conception can be achieved by finding healthy stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness exercises, regular exercise, hobbies, and asking loved ones for help.
2. Consideration of assisted reproductive technologies: After the age of 40, assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF), may be recommended for couples who are having trouble getting pregnant. These methods work by fertilizing eggs outside the body and implanting the resulting embryos in the uterus, thereby avoiding some of the challenges posed by age-related declines in fertility.
3. Seeking professional help: Women must prioritize their reproductive health and make informed decisions about their fertility options. Consulting with health professionals, such as fertility specialists, can provide valuable information and personalized guidance. They can offer a range of treatments and interventions tailored to individual needs, increasing the likelihood of a successful conception.

Getting pregnant after 40 can be more difficult due to age-related declines in fertility, decreased ovarian reserve, and increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities. However, women planning to conceive after the age of 40 should not lose hope. It is still feasible to increase the probability of getting pregnant by understanding the elements that influence fertility and putting specific techniques into practice. A healthy pregnancy can be achieved by managing stress, considering assisted reproductive technologies, and getting expert assistance.