When girls are born, they already have all the ovaries they will need in their lifetime. By the time they hit 40, the ovaries remaining are few, and there is a high chance of mutation.  According to research, the rate of miscarriages between the ages of 40 to 45 is 34%. The number increases by 10% when a woman is over 45 years of age.

But what if you still want to get pregnant? With IVF (In vitro fertilization), it’s now possible for women over 40 to give birth to a live and healthy baby. The IVF success rates may, however, be dependent on a number of factors

1. Lifestyle

Eating right and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is mandatory for any pregnancy to be successful. Smoking and drug addiction reduce the chances of successful IVF cycles by over 70%. People should, therefore, ensure they eat a balanced diet and practice a healthy lifestyle especially during pregnancy.

2. Age

Women who have recently turned 40 are more likely to conceive on their first IVF cycle compared to those who are 45. Women aged 42 have been recorded to have 14% of IVF treatments resulting in pregnancy while only 7% make it to 9 months with a live fetus.  For those who are over 45 years, only 1% of cases have made it to the full term.

3. Pregnancy history

If a woman had conceived before `she clocked 40, then it’s likely that her first IVF cycle will be successful. Women who have never conceived before are reported be need more IVF cycles, and there are lower rates of live full-term births recorded.

4. Fertility issues

At the age of 40, more women are likely to begin having fertility issues. This reduces the chances of having successful IVF treatment by almost 50%. If the condition involves the uterus, then it’s unlikely that any IVF cycle will ever be successful.