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The Drastic Increase in the Use of Donor Programs for Post-40 Pregnancies

Thursday, 13 November 2008 15:23

Motherhood is not unusual for women in their 40’s and beyond - a trend recently spotlighted through several well-publicized celebrity post-40 pregnancies. In fact, according to a recent Californian study, births for U.S born women aged 40 - 44 have increased threefold since 1982. For women over the age of 40, the use of donor eggs has risen significantly in recent times. This option significantly increases the chances of successful pregnancy and birth compared to using one’s own eggs in that age range. In fact, national statistics show that using donor eggs raises the chance for a successful live birth to 51% per Cycle for women of this age bracket (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).

While many modern-day women delay pregnancy, it is a well-known fact that fertility diminishes with age. The average woman’s ability to get pregnant slows just before age 30 and drastically declines after age 40, continuing to diminish each year. Interestingly, a 2005 study out of Boston (published in the journal, Fertility & Sterility) concluded that success rates for women seeking Infertility treatment dropped close to zero once they reach age 44. While IVF is a popular option for some, aging or unhealthy eggs will contribute to infertility and also increase the risk for miscarriage and chromosomal fetal abnormalities, such as Down’s syndrome and other genetic diseases.

As a result, more and more middle-aged women are seeking donor eggs to assist pregnancy; a growing trend that contributes significantly to the number of pregnancies in women in their 40’s and beyond. This option is becoming increasingly popular as a more reliable and secure fertility option for older women, with significant increases over the last few years alone and continual increases each and every year.

Post-40 Pregnancy Statistics:

One third of women attempting pregnancy over the age of 35 will have trouble getting pregnant
Almost 1 in 5 women seeking treatment for infertility in the U.S are over the age of 40
Two thirds will not be able to get pregnant on their own once they are past age 40
A 40 y/o women undergoing assisted reproductive therapy has a 23% chance of conceiving using her own eggs
If conception is successful, she has only a 16% chance of carrying the pregnancy through to birth
Both rates dropped steadily with each one-year increase in age

(The American Society of Reproductive Medicine & U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

For more information about IVF and donor options, feel free to call us Toll Free at 1-877-FCI-4IVF