Many of us have regrets that we didn't have children sooner. But rather than starting to regret this and thinking that you're “too old,” if you are on supposedly the wrong side of 40, is it actually more difficult for you to have a baby? There are a few things that you need to consider, including the following.
Having a Baby After 40 Is Incredibly Common
It's important that we get out of this mindset that if you are over 40 that you are on the scrap heap of life. The reality is that if you spend your 20s focused on your career and your 30s focused on relationships, you can spend your 40s focused on having children. The fact that there are so many different ways of having children in your 40s if you have fertility issues, such as in vitro fertilisation, commonly known as IVF, means that there are more options available.
How Does Age Affect Fertility?
While there are many options, including IVF, sperm banks and freezing your eggs when you're younger, your fertility rate does decrease after the age of 35. This is why it's important to be aware of some of the key health issues as you get older.
Conceiving After 40
If there are fertility issues there are things that you can do to get pregnant including fertility drugs, assisted reproductive technology, and artificial insemination.
Are You Able to Have a Natural Birth?
Natural birth is less likely after the age of 40 due to the fertility treatments that can increase the risk of premature birth. A cesarean is more likely because you are at an increased risk of pre-eclampsia. Additionally, there is an increased risk of stillbirth. However, there are many women who successfully deliver babies naturally over the age of 40. But it's important to be aware that your health is the defining factor for this. If you are considering getting pregnant after the age of 40, it's very important to make sure that you are as healthy as humanly possible.
The Many Benefits of Having a Baby Later in Life
From a personal perspective, you will have already established your career and met the person you want to spend the rest of your life with and this means there's a lot less instability in comparison to parents who have children in their 20s or 30s. But additionally, there are potential benefits for the child, including a reduced risk of cognitive decline and better test scores.
If you are considering having a baby later in life it's important to make sure that you are in the right mindset. A lot of people believe that they are not able to have children after the age of 40 because of the many horror stories they hear. The fact is that this is not the case and if you are trying or you are considering going down this route it's important to learn to stay positive and not feel overwhelmed. The fact is that you are not too old!
