Understanding the facts about advanced maternal age pregnancy
Patients who visit our Northern Louisiana fertility center come to us seeking solutions to their issues with male and female infertility. David T. Vandermolen MD, MS, established this practice to provide expert medical treatment and compassionate care for those struggling to conceive. For more than 30 years, our Northern Louisiana fertility center has diagnosed and treated infertility, including offering support for advanced maternal age pregnancy.
How does age affect female fertility?
While men continue to make sperm for most of their adult lives, women are born with all the eggs they will ever have. At the onset of puberty, menstruation begins, and an egg is released each month, allowing for fertilization by sperm to occur. As women get older, the quality and quantity of available eggs decreases, which may result in female infertility as a woman ages. Female fertility peaks in your late 20s and declines significantly by age 40. Advanced maternal age pregnancy becomes harder to achieve the closer a woman moves toward menopause.
Is achieving an advanced maternal age pregnancy difficult?
Despite what Hollywood movies depict or celebrities portray in the media, the reality for female fertility is that natural conception becomes less likely with age. Simply put, women in their late 30s and early 40s don’t have time to waste if they want to start or expand their families.
Although younger women can attempt to conceive for a year before visiting a fertility specialist, our Northern Louisiana fertility center recommends that women ages 35 or older schedule an appointment after trying to get pregnant for just six months.
What does it take to get pregnant after age 35?
For women trying for an advanced maternal age pregnancy, fertility treatment will likely play a part in the process. Dr. Vandermolen will start with a complete fertility evaluation to discover any existing female infertility issues. Often, he will uncover issues related to reduced ovarian reserve, ovulatory dysfunction and/or recurrent miscarriage. After he identifies any underlying problems, Dr. Vandermolen can create a personalized fertility treatment plan.
What are the treatment options?
While the levels of healthy eggs drop as women age, advanced maternal age doesn’t seem to significantly affect the ability to carry a pregnancy. In many cases, IVF involving preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) or donor eggs can improve the odds of success. Dr. Vandermolen can explain the options and answer any questions you have.
We believe that all our patients deserve to experience the joys of parenthood. Advanced maternal age pregnancy can happen, with patience, determination and assistance from our skilled medical team. Contact our office to schedule an appointment at our Northern Louisiana fertility center.