Older women who want to start a family often wonder about the IVF success rate by age. Gynecologists are already aware of the trend that many women are delaying motherhood. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Clinical Consensus-Obstetrics, based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data from 2020, nearly 19 percent of all pregnancies and 11 percent of all first pregnancies in the United States were in women aged over 35 years.
As older women try to start their families, many find that becoming pregnant isn't as easy as it seems. Assisted reproductive technology (ART), and in particular in vitro fertilization (IVF), is an increasingly popular option for women over 35. Being honest and upfront with your patients about the IVF success rate by age and their chances at conceiving is important. Data from the 2017 Assisted Reproductive Technology National Summary Report states that about 62% of ART cycles performed are on women over the age of 35.
Older women can become pregnant, but significant challenges may prevent women from childbearing later in life. Laying the foundation for a trusting relationship helps ensure your patients stay as healthy as possible during their in vitro fertilization cycle and — hopefully — subsequent pregnancy.
Why Are Women Delaying Pregnancy?
No one factor contributes to delaying childbearing. Indeed, there are multiple reasons why growing numbers of women are putting off having children until later in life. For many, life circumstances — such as career progression, income level and partner selection and availability — don't allow for becoming pregnant at a younger age.
There's also a great deal of misinformation about delaying pregnancy and the ease of getting pregnant. Increased media focus on older celebrity mothers may lead some women to assume pregnancy later in life is more feasible than it actually is. Women may also receive misleading information from family, friends or even non-fertility doctors, all perpetuating the myth that getting pregnant at an older age is easy with IVF.
Impacts of Delaying Pregnancy
Delaying pregnancy may have profound impacts not only on the mother but also on the neonate. Menopause Review reports that pregnancy after age 35 is associated with a variety of maternal risks, including:
- Obstetric hemorrhage.
- Gestational diabetes.
- Preeclampsia.
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension.
- Increased likelihood of caesarean section delivery.
- Miscarriage.
The child also faces significant risks, such as a greater likelihood of preterm delivery, low birth weight, birth defects and an increased likelihood of admission to a neonatal intensive care unit.
Helping Your Patients With IVF and Age Education
Age-related fertility decline is poorly understood by many women, and it's up to gynecologists and other healthcare providers to begin family planning discussions early. Starting the conversation with your patient ensures she has time to make pregnancy decisions based on accurate information.
According to a study in Human Reproduction, many women mistakenly believe fertility declines only after age 40, and they expect it to be gradual until they begin menopause. Additionally, IVF success rates among older women aren't as high as some believe. The 2017 Assisted Reproductive Technology National Summary Report notes that the percentage of ART cycles that resulted in live-birth deliveries was 36.7 in 2017 for patients age 35 to 37, dropping to 30.8 for patients aged 38 to 40 and to 26 for patients over age 40.
Older women can become pregnant, but it's necessary to be realistic about the odds and the likelihood of complications if a pregnancy does occur. Educating your patients early is the first step in developing a relationship that's supportive of their reproductive choices while helping them stay as healthy as possible through all phases of life — even if childbearing is delayed.
