If you’re over 40 and want to have a child, you may have some concerns and questions. At TFP Fertility UK, we can help answer these and give you advice, including what your chances are of conceiving naturally and through fertility treatment.
Statistically speaking, your chance of getting pregnant naturally falls from 35% in your 30s to just over 20% in your 40s, dropping to about 10% by the time you reach your mid-40s.
But it’s still possible to have a successful pregnancy at 40 or over.
TFP Fertility UK can help you boost your chances of having a baby while helping you manage the experience.
We combine 35 years of fertility expertise with care that’s second to none, and treatment plans carefully tailored to your individual needs.
The first step we typically advise is to have a fertility assessment.
This involves a few tests to give an accurate measure of your fertility, followed by a consultation to advise on next steps.
We normally recommend women aged 36 or over seek help after six months of trying to conceive naturally, rather than after a year as we suggest to younger women.
If you’re feeling worried or have any specific concerns, we encourage you to get in touch sooner via our contact form.
Our friendly team are ready to help, and we’ll be here for you every step of the way.
If you have any questions about having fertility treatment over 40 or would like to book an appointment at your local TFP Fertility clinic, please contact us.
There’s no experience like this, and we’re here with you every step of the way.
We offer genetic testing of embryos where a genetic condition is present or carried by one or both parents, or in cases of recurrent miscarriage.
We check for abnormalities to determine whether an embryo is likely to develop successfully once it has been transferred to the womb.
There are a number of key lifestyle changes you can make to improve your chances of getting pregnant after you are 40. These include:
Stopping smoking
Reducing alcohol and caffeine intake
Eating a healthy diet
Taking regular exercise
Keeping your BMI between 20 and 25
Getting good quality sleep
Avoiding stressful situations
For more information and advice, see our how to improve your fertility page.
IVF with your own eggs
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) involves an egg being removed from your ovaries and fertilised by sperm in a lab. The resulting embryo is then placed back inside your womb to develop.
IVF with donor eggs
If it’s not possible for you to become pregnant with your own eggs, your TFP Fertility UK clinic can help you find the right egg donor.
If you do undergo IVF with donor eggs, it’ll involve the donated eggs being fertilised with sperm in a laboratory. A high-quality fertilised egg (embryo) will then be transferred to your womb to develop.
Visit our IVF over 40 page for more information.
Depending on where you reside in the UK, NHS health boards have different criteria for who is entitled to fertility treatment and up to what age.
NICE guidelines recommend that women 40-42 years who meet all other criteria (no children already, healthy BMI, non-smoker, trying to conceive unsuccessfully for 1-2 years), have not had IVF previously, and have no evidence of low ovarian reserve, should be offered treatment but each health board interprets this differently.
See our NHS fertility treatment referral process page for more information.
Your chances of getting pregnant through fertility treatment depends on your age, personal circumstances, and the type of fertility treatment you have.
We provide the most up-to-date verified data for the average success rates at each TFP Fertility UK clinic, as independently approved by the HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority).
The HFEA are an independent body that oversee and regulate fertility treatment in the UK and publish success data from all clinics on their website.
However, any success rates are just a guide, as every fertility journey is unique.
At your consultation, we’ll discuss in detail the likelihood of you becoming pregnant through different treatment options.