06.06.2025.
Once upon a time, the idea of having a baby after 40 was like trying to win the lottery: unlikely, risky, and usually met with sceptical looks from friends, family – and even your doctor.
Gen X ladies might still raise an eyebrow hearing someone say they’re trying to get pregnant in their 40s. Back then, it just wasn’t the norm. The “typical” path was: out of high school, married, with kids by their 20s. Unless, of course, you look back at Bible stories —like Sarah, who gave birth at 90 (and, by the way, Abraham was 100 when Isaac was born! ).
But times are changing.
So, is it really possible to get pregnant after 40? According to science, the short answer is yes. The longer answer? Yes, but it comes with some extra homework, and not only that.
The science (not the myths)
Let’s start with biology. Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have, and both the quantity and quality decline over time. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), fertility starts to decline in the early 30s, and the decline becomes more significant after 37.
By 40, the average chance of getting pregnant each month is around 5%, compared to 20 – 25% in your 20s.
That sounds bleak – until you remember that statistics are not destiny.
In 2023, around 3.7 million babies were born in the EU, of which 6.1% were to mothers aged 40 years and over. Among the EU countries, the largest share of births to women aged 40 and over was found in Ireland, Spain and Greece (each 11% of all live births) and the lowest in Romania, Slovakia and Lithuania (each 4%).
In the EU, the share of births to women aged 40 and over has more than doubled from 2.6% in 2003 to 6.1% in 2023. The proportion of live births to mothers aged at least 40 increased in all EU countries during this period. The highest increase was in Greece (8.0 pp from 2.6% to 10.6%) and the lowest in the Netherlands (1.7 pp from 2.3% to 4.0%).
Why women are choosing to wait
Blame it on higher education, better career opportunities, financial independence, or just waiting for the right partner (or realizing you don’t need one). Modern women are in no rush to beat a biological clock that keeps getting smarter, thanks to advancements in reproductive medicine.
IVF, egg freezing, donor eggs, hormone therapy – we have more tools now than ever before. According to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), IVF success rates for women using their own eggs over 40 are lower (around 10-20% per cycle), but using donor eggs can dramatically increase the odds.
The judgement parade
Still, society can be a bit…judgy. A 41-year-old pregnant woman is often met with a cocktail of praise and panic: “Good for you! But isn’t it risky?”
And sometimes you might overhear a medic whisper, “Over 40? Ah yes, a geriatric mother.” Yep, that was the actual term they used. Like you’d rolled into the OB’s room with a walker and a knitting kit. Thankfully, someone came along and rebranded it as the more elegant-sounding “Advanced Maternal Age”. Much better. Now it sounds like you’ve simply leveled up!
Yes, pregnancy after 40 does come with increased risks, including gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and a higher chance of cesarean delivery. But with proper prenatal care and a good doctor, these risks might be manageable. It’s not about ignoring the risks; it’s about being informed and proactive.
The emotional side
Beyond the biology and the biased remarks lies a truth: becoming a mother later in life often means doing so with more emotional maturity, financial stability, and personal confidence. It also means dealing with tired jokes about being mistaken for the grandma at school pick-up. Laugh it off. Or don’t.
Getting pregnant after 40 is not always easy, as they say. And it might take science, patience, or both. But it’s your body, your timeline, and your journey.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health goals. Nothing in this article should be interpreted as an invitation to self-diagnose, self-treat, or replace professional medical guidance.
