Motherhood After 40 - A New Hope

In 2009, CBS News reported that the average age of first time moms in the US was 25 years old, whereas the average ages in Japan and Switzerland were 29.2 and 29.4, respectively. Yet, even with the median age being below 30, the number of women experiencing motherhood after 40 is on the rise. This is a basic phenomenon of industrialization; the more women focus on their careers, the less likely they are to have a child at an early age. In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the percentage of women having a child between 40-44 years of age had risen by 4% since the previous year. 

 

 

When is the Best Time to have a Child?

 

Figuring out when the best time to have a child is a huge debate, primarily because there is no right answer. Some parents want to be young and energetic when they have their kids, while others would like to focus on their careers and get settled so they can provide financially for their children. There is no right answer and deciding when to have a child is an extremely personal choice. One thing’s for sure - motherhood after 40 is just as fulfilling as motherhood in your twenties; in both situations you’re bringing a new life into this world and that’s a beautiful thing!

Getting Pregnant After 40

From a biological standpoint, it may be harder for a woman to get pregnant after 40. There are two main reasons for this:  

• Egg Quality. The quality of a woman’s eggs decreases with time. Good egg quality is necessary for fertilization.  
• Uterine Lining. With age, a woman’s uterine lining becomes progressively thinner.  Though it is not impossible to get pregnant with a thinner uterine lining, it is optimal that a woman’s uterine lining be 6-8mm thick in order to allow for implantation.

IVF after 40

Luckily, even if a woman is having a hard time getting pregnant after 40, there are still some alternatives. IVF treatment has helped many older women conceive a child after they have failed to do so naturally. IVF stimulates the eggs so as to increase the chances of getting a fully developed egg fertilized. IVF does not, however, help to thicken a thin uterine lining. IVF in Tijuana, Delhi, Istanbul and other medical tourism hotspots comes with attractive price tags and can be contemplated by those looking to cut their treatment costs.

What if I Have a Thin Uterine Lining?

IVF has a different way of helping women with a thin uterine lining. In this instance, a woman can retrieve her eggs through IVF and use a surrogate mother to carry her child. This is a great option for women over 40 who wish to have their own biological child. 

Becoming a mother over 40 is sure to have its challenges but the journey to becoming a mother can be an amazing experience. Don’t think that your dream of having a child is ruined because you didn’t do it in your 20s or 30s. Plenty of women have become a mother in their 40s and you can too!