As priorities shift from family planning to career building, parenthood is frequently being pushed to our 30s and beyond. You may have heard the term ‘advanced maternal age’ but what does that really mean? And how can you best prepare for pregnancy later in life – even if it’s just a bit later?
This article will help define advanced maternal age, some of the common risks, and precautions you can take when planning for pregnancy later. Our goal is help you feel more prepared and less overwhelmed, so you can enjoy the journey to parenthood with as little anxiety as possible.
Many hopeful mothers want to know what age is considered advanced maternal age? According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), anyone who is 35 years of age or older at the time of pregnancy is considered to be ‘advanced maternal age.’
But don’t panic! Being considered "advanced maternal age" doesn't mean you can't get pregnant, and it certainly doesn’t mean you’re old. It’s simply a medical term to reflect that from age 35 onwards, the quality and quantity of a woman's eggs gradually decline.
In fact, recent statistics indicate that over 30% of mothers are over 35, meaning that advanced maternal age is no longer a minority, but rather a societal trend. With access to accurate information and medical resources, expectant mothers over the age of 35 can enjoy a safe and happy pregnancy.
As age increases, the quality and quantity of eggs gradually decline, reducing the chances of natural conception. Here are three types of assisted reproductive technologies to help increase your chances of success, either now or later:
If you are not planning to have children for awhile, it’s a good time to consider freezing your eggs – even if you’re over 35. This will preserve your current egg quality for use later, when you’re ready.
If you froze your eggs when you were younger and are ready to start your family, now is the time to make use of them! Using eggs from a younger age to conceive not only increases the success rate but also reduces the risk of embryonic abnormalities, making it a common practice for older women.
If your ovulation is normal and there are no major issues with your partner’s sperm, you can start by trying intrauterine insemination (IUI).
IUI involves sperm being placed directly inside the uterus using a catheter, thereby helping the sperm reach the egg and increases chances of a successful fertilization. IUI is relatively simple and inexpensive, making it a popular starting point for many couples aged 35-38.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common and most successful method of assisted reproduction. It involves fertilizing an egg with sperm in a lab and then implanting the embryo into the uterus.
For women with declining ovarian function, blocked fallopian tubes, or multiple unsuccessful attempts at natural conception, it is a great option to optimize chances of a successful pregnancy.
Planning to become a mother at an advanced maternal age? Don't worry, with proper preparation, you can significantly reduce the risks during pregnancy. Below is a practical checklist from preconception to pregnancy, helping you proceed on your fertility journey with more peace of mind:
For women over 35 undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), there are a number of elective tests that can help inform your personal treatment plan. Proper testing can improve implantation and live birth rates, meaning fewer treatment cycles to obtain success and less physical and emotional hardship as a result.
✔ Egg quality testing: As women age, both the quantity and quality of eggs decline. Egg quality assessment helps understand the developmental potential of eggs, serving as an important reference for treatment and fertility planning.
The Opal™ egg quality test is currently the only system that combines two assessment dimensions: appearance (the conventional method) and big data analysis based on physical characteristics, for a more objective and comprehensive evaluation.
✔Screening for carriers: A carrier is someone who carries a gene variant associated with a recessive genetic disease, but who does not exhibit any symptoms themselves. Due to the lack of obvious symptoms, most people are unaware that they are carriers.
Through carrier screening, couples can learn whether one or both carry problematic genetic, assess the risk of their offspring inheriting a genetic disease, and plan their reproductive health in advance.
✔ Preimplantation chromosome screening (PGT╴A): For women of advanced maternal age pursuing IVF, PGT-A testing is often recommended by fertility doctors. This technology assesses chromosomal status before implantation, helping to select embryos with normal chromosomes. This reduces the risk of miscarriage and increases the chances of a successful pregnancy and live birth.
However, not all PGT-A testing technologies are the same. Traditional PGT-A may fail to identify key abnormalities in some cases or increase uncertainty in embryo interpretation.
Pixl Next Generation PGT-A uses very precise genetic markers (called SNPs) for embryo analysis, helping to improve interpretation accuracy, reduce the risk of misdiagnosis, and ensure that high-quality embryos are not miscategorized.
Once a healthy pregnancy is underway, in addition to routine prenatal checkups, you may want to consider arranging certain advanced tests that help understand the health of the fetus.
✔ Amniocentesis: This is a highly accurate diagnostic test that directly examines the fetal chromosomes and is usually performed between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy. It is typically recommended to pregnant women over 34 years of age, those with high-risk prenatal screening results, or those with a family history of genetic diseases.
Because amniocentesis is an invasive procedure, there is a low risk of complications; it is recommended to discuss this thoroughly with your doctor.
✔ Non-invasive fetal chromosome testing (NIPT): Typically performed after 10 weeks of pregnancy, NIPT assesses the risk of common chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus by drawing blood from the pregnant woman. It is a common screening option in early pregnancy due to its non-invasive nature, high safety, and high sensitivity.
NIPT is a screening test; if the result is high-risk, it is recommended to discuss with your doctor whether further diagnostic testing is needed for confirmation.
✔ High-level ultrasound: This examination can clearly examine the development and structure of fetal organs, such as the heart, brain, and spine, and can detect any congenital abnormalities at an early stage.
✔ Gestational diabetes screening: The check-up is usually done in the second trimester (around 24 to 28 weeks). Especially for older mothers who are a high-risk group, early check-ups and blood sugar control can help avoid health complications for both mother and child.
Being 35 or older does not mean your chances of having a healthy pregnancy are out of reach. While fertility naturally changes with age, many women go on to conceive, carry healthy pregnancies, and build their families in their late 30s and 40s.
The key is preparation. Understanding your fertility health, seeking appropriate medical guidance, and taking advantage of available testing and treatment options can help you make more informed decisions and optimize your chances of success. Whether you’re just beginning to think about pregnancy, exploring fertility preservation, or pursuing IVF, having the right information can make the journey feel more manageable and less overwhelming.
Every fertility journey is unique. By taking a proactive approach and working closely with your fertility care team, you can move forward with greater confidence and focus on what matters most: building the family you envision for your future.
