Life is full of exciting possibilities, and many women are delaying pregnancy until later in life so that they can travel the world, climb the corporate ladder, or run their own businesses. It’s true that fertility starts to decline at around age 35, but this doesn’t mean that pregnancy is impossible. Plenty of women decide to have children a little later in life. For some of these women, a little extra help in the form of an egg donor will allow them to accomplish their dreams of motherhood.
Ovarian Reserve
After age 35, women have fewer eggs available, and the ones that remain tend to be poor in quality. This means that fertilization is less likely. However, a woman’s age doesn’t automatically mean she can’t carry a baby to term. Older moms-to-be can opt to use an egg donor. The donated eggs are fertilized with the male partner’s sperm (or donor sperm), and the embryos are transferred to the recipient.
Ovulation Disorders
Women of advanced maternal age are more likely to have irregular or less frequent ovulation. It’s possible for a woman to go through her cycle without releasing an egg that might be fertilized.
Uterine Fibroids
Any woman of reproductive age could potentially develop uterine fibroids, but these growths are more common among women in their 40s to early 50s. Fibroids can be problematic for conceiving a baby naturally and carrying the child to term. It’s possible for fibroids to increase the risk of preterm delivery , placental abruption, prolonged labor, and breech position of the baby.
Chronic Health Problems
Although chronic health problems can affect a person of any age, individuals who are older are more likely to have one or more of them. Women with diabetes, for example, are at a higher risk of premature ovarian failure, as well as irregular or absent periods.
The frustrations of infertility can seem overwhelming. You can find the compassionate guidance and services you’re looking for at Fertility Resources of Houston. Call (877) 983-0046, and request an appointment to discuss egg donation or surrogacy in Houston, Texas.