Pregnancy over the age of 40 - the options and associated risks
Today, the social age and the biological age to have a baby are very different in most cases. However, changes in our society, as well as the integration of women into the labor market have led to a delay in motherhood that, in many cases, extents until age 40.
The Biological Clock and Fertility
It is important to understand that the fertile years of a woman correspond to the age group of 16 to 27. From 30 to 35, the woman is still considered fertile, but she experiences a slight decrease in her reproductive potential.
Risks and Challenges After 40
The main inconvenient of this is that pregnancy chances diminish dramatically by age 40, whilst the number of risk that may appear during pregnancy increase significantly. The following data highlights how fertility changes over time:
- Age 16 to 27: The fertile years of a woman.
- Age 30 to 35: The woman is still considered fertile, but she experiences a slight decrease.
- Age 40: Pregnancy chances diminish dramatically, whilst the number of risk that may appear during pregnancy increase significantly.