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Are your 40s the
new 30s… or not?
The idea that 40 is the new 30 has become the mantra of many women—and with good reason. From a sociological perspective, the landscape has changed significantly. Today, 40 is an age at which emotional maturity has been achieved, allowing other aspects of life to flow more easily: we feel more confident in our decisions, we know what we want and what we do not want, and we have a clearer idea of the direction we wish to take in life
The idea that 40 is the new 30 has become the mantra of many women—and with good reason.
The idea that 40 is the new 30 has become the mantra of many women—and with good reason. From a sociological perspective, the landscape has changed significantly. Today, 40 is an age at which emotional maturity has been achieved, allowing other aspects of life to flow more easily: we feel more confident in our decisions, we know what we want and what we do not want, and we have a clearer idea of the direction we wish to take in life.
Economically, it is also an age at which greater stability has often been reached. Physically, many women are at a point where they accept their bodies without judgment.
All of this may make turning 40 seem like the perfect scenario—but what happens on the reproductive side? Here, the outlook is not as encouraging. Although physically and emotionally one’s forties may seem like a golden age, problems usually arise when trying to conceive.
However, even though we increasingly see births among women over forty, the reality is that the chance of becoming a mother naturally at that age is only around 2% per cycle, and in a high percentage of cases it is necessary to resort to assisted reproduction techniques to achieve pregnancy.
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Chances of pregnancy
by age
The passage of time is the main enemy of female fertility.
Today, we age more slowly, and life expectancy continues to increase. However, female fertility has an optimal window, and the chances of becoming pregnant naturally decrease significantly after the age of 35.
Women are born with a defined ovarian reserve, which gradually diminishes with each menstrual cycle.
For this reason, the relationship between ovarian reserve and age is a key factor in achieving pregnancy. In general, the best age to become a mother is around the early twenties. From the age of 30, female fertility begins to decline, and after 35 this decrease becomes much more pronounced.
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Specialists in
late motherhood
It is common for pregnancy to take longer to occur at 40 or older. Over time, not only do we have fewer and lower-quality eggs, but the ovary—which supports the oocytes—also functions less efficiently, as do the uterus and the fallopian tubes.
In addition, if any condition such as endometriosis, polyps, or fibroids is present, it is likely to worsen over the years.
Advanced maternal age also involves a higher probability of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, chromosomal abnormalities in embryos, and other complications during pregnancy, which is why these pregnancies are considered high-risk.
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Treatments for women
over 40
Profile of our patients
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Women over
> 40 years
48%
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Low ovarian reserve
≤ 4 oocytes / embryos
40%
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History of repeated failures
> 4 treatments
70%
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History of implantation failures
> 4 transfers with egg donation
32%
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With repetition labs
99% diagnostic efficacy
20%
Can you have a baby after forty?
As we already know, after the age of 40 the chances of becoming a mother using one’s own gametes are very low. Egg aging is a key factor in egg quality, as age makes fertilization more difficult and/or leads to recurrent miscarriages.
However, at Equipo Juana Crespo, thanks to our experience in late motherhood, we have developed our own techniques which, combined with other procedures, are achieving pregnancy rates well above the average of other clinics.
In Vitro Fertilization – IVF + Revitalize
Revitalize Ovary is a proprietary procedure that combines regenerative medicine therapies based on stem cells and platelet-rich plasma with ovarian stimulation protocols carefully tailored to each woman’s hormonal response.
As a result, we achieve a significant increase in both the number and quality of embryos generated through IVF and, therefore, an increase in the chances of pregnancy with one’s own eggs.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing – Personalized PGT
It is normal that, with increasing age, the probability of embryos with chromosomal abnormalities also rises.
In addition, as a complement to IVF, our specialists may recommend performing preimplantation genetic testing on the embryos to detect abnormalities in the embryos’ genetic material in a comprehensive manner.
Egg Donation
Egg donation is an alternative for women with low ovarian reserve, failed treatments, and/or poor embryo quality in whom pregnancy with their own eggs is no longer possible.
Equipo Juana Crespo has one of the highest success rates in Europe thanks to the quality of our egg donation programs and our rigorous, personalized endometrial preparation: 80% of our patients achieve pregnancy in the first transfer, and 95% after an average of 1.2 transfers using this technique.
*There will probably be an option to download a PDF guide further ahead.
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Why Team
Juana Crespo?
1. We will accompany you throughout the entire process
At Equipo Juana Crespo, you'll be supported from the very beginning. Our goal is to care for you and guide you throughout the entire process so you can experience it with confidence and peace of mind. For many years, we've been helping couples who want to start a family and who begin this journey when the woman is over 40. We know that at this stage, doubts, uncertainty, or the need for a team that truly understands your situation can arise. That's why we strive to offer you a supportive environment where you receive clarity, reassurance, and confidence every step of the way. Our medical team has extensive experience in complex cases and will explain the process in detail, as well as the reproductive options best suited to your circumstances.
2. Highly personalized endometrial preparation
Preparing the uterus is essential for achieving pregnancy, and any deficiency in this process can lead to implantation failure and early miscarriage. Our team works to optimize uterine conditions to ensure that both the endometrium, the receptive layer, and all other components involved in placentation are in the most suitable state to receive an embryo.
3. We have the best results in High Complexity fertility treatments
A dedicated team focused on achieving the best results, our commitment is to help you build a family, whatever your circumstances. This requires a high level of specialization in all areas, from consultations and laboratory work to surgery.
FAQS
How long is it advisable to try for a natural pregnancy before going to an assisted reproduction clinic?
While younger women can wait up to a year, women over 40 are advised to consult a specialist after 3-6 months of unsuccessful attempts, or even sooner. Seeking medical evaluation earlier allows for faster action and prevents missed opportunities to become a mother after 40.
Can I improve my chances of getting pregnant with lifestyle changes?
Maintaining a healthy weight, following a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, managing stress, and engaging in moderate exercise help optimize reproductive health. These habits don't reverse the effects of age on eggs, but they can create a better environment for conception and fertility treatments.
Does the father's age matter when trying to conceive after 40?
Yes. Although the impact is less than in women, male age can also influence sperm quality and the time needed to achieve pregnancy. That's why, when a couple consults with Equipo Juana Crespo, we always assess both partners. A joint approach allows us to optimize the chances of success from the outset.
