However, women have a much lower chance of conceiving naturally after 40 than at a younger maternal age. (This is why we often recommend staying on birth control until menopause if pregnancy is undesired…if you are having periods, there is a chance you can get pregnant!) YES! While fertility does decline naturally as we age, starting around age 30, it is possible to become pregnant without fertility treatments after age 40. Is it possible to get pregnant naturally at 40? We thought we would address a few of the most common questions and offer some tips for getting pregnant at 40 or later. Having a baby at 40 or older is not always easy even if you feel perfectly healthy and capable of carrying a baby.Īs obstetricians and gynecologists, we’ve seen an increase in patients asking us questions about getting pregnant at 40. Unfortunately, evolution has not caught up with the newer preference of becoming pregnant later in life, and our bodies face some unique pregnancy challenges as we age. Studies show this trend is mostly due to career goals and financial concerns – children aren’t cheap! By 2020, that average age had jumped to 26. In the 1970s, the average age of first-time mothers in the United States was 21. Shannon Brim discusses the challenges of becoming pregnant at 40 and how to increase your chances.
