It IS possible but there are risks – expert reveals all about becoming a mum in your 40s
Dr Antonio Requena reveals all about getting pregnant over the age of 40
SPICE GIRL Geri Horner hit headlines this week after announcing she's pregnant at the age of 44.
But it's not just the "It's Raining Men" singer who's adding to her family later in life - as more and more women in the UK choose to postpone pregnancy.
Whether it's due to career reasons, not finding "The One" or wanting to start a family with a new partner, women attempting to get pregnant over the age of 40 is increasingly common.
And thanks to advancements in fertility treatment, it is certainly possible - with one mum in Spain giving birth to a healthy baby girl at the age of 62 earlier this week.
In fact, one leading fertility clinician revealed 40 per cent of appointments at his clinic last year were women over the age of 40.
Sharing his expertise with The Sun Online, Dr. Antonio Requena, General Director of IVI Fertility in Spain, said: "It is possible and it is a reality. Although a spontaneous pregnancy is less likely at this age, there are reproductive techniques and procedures to help the women who are struggling to fall pregnant naturally."
Here, Dr Requena explains the facts about getting pregnant over the age of 40 - and although there are some risks, it isn't all bad news.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
Although advice on the 'best' time to have a baby massively varies, it's generally accepted that the older you are, the higher the risks.
These include the baby having genetic problems, as well as the mother suffering high blood pressure and gestational diabetes.
However, that's not to say nothing can be done to minimise some of the risks, and even prepare for them.
Dr Requena said: "The biggest risk that exists when crossing the border of 40 is the failure of the chromosomal fetus and a low reserve of eggs.
"We always conduct an analysis of our female patients over 40, to determine the chromosomal map of the embryo. This offers more guarantee of success in pregnancy and helps doctors to source a healthy embryo if the patient decides to undergo IVF.
"This type of analysis is not only advisable, but almost an obligation for women of an older age if they wish to fall pregnant."
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WHEN SHOULD YOU START THINKING ABOUT FERTILITY TREATMENT?
If you know you're likely to wait to have a family, Dr Requena recommends actually preserving your own eggs a few years before you're ready to have a baby.
He said: "Preparation is also key. If women know that they are likely to start a family at an older age, they can minimise the risks associated with an older pregnancy by preserving their eggs at a younger age when the eggs are better quality.”
If you choose to preserve your eggs, it avoids the risk of needing egg donation - which Dr Requena says is common among women over 40.
He said: "A lot of women trying to fall pregnant over the age of 40 will experience chromosomal problems because their eggs are not suitable for pregnancy.
"In these cases, we do recommend that women consider egg donation as they are more likely to fall pregnant and pregnancy rates achieved with this treatment are very high."
However, if you try to conceive naturally, Dr Requena advises speaking to a fertility specialist if you aren't successful after six months.
He said: "Do not wait too long, because time is key. If after 6 months you do not achieve a natural pregnancy, book yourself in to speak to a specialist fertility doctor."
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF LATE MOTHERHOOD?
Even though there are risks associated with being an older mum, there is an argument that the amount of life experience a woman has by the age of 40 is a great attribute for becoming a parent.
Dr Requena says he also often finds women over the age of 40 who start a family are more emotionally, financially and professionally stable.
He said: "Making the decision to be a mother is always a cause for celebration – no matter what age you are."
The IVI Group has 40 clinics in 10 different countries, and to date they have helped more than 100,000 to be born.