| As a fertility specialist, I am skeptical about some of | | | | supplements available which claim to boost fertility. |
| these claims. This is not to say that they are all false. | | | | Some of the most commonly cited vitamins are the |
| I just want older women to know that they can still | | | | antioxidants A, C, and E. Antioxidants act by |
| get pregnant over 40, but it is not without risks. | | | | reversing or preventing damage wrought by free |
| If you have willfully decided to delay pregnancy until | | | | radicals, thereby retarding the aging process. These |
| you hit the big 4-0, then I could not honestly say | | | | antioxidants slow down the effects of aging on the |
| what your chances of getting pregnant are. All | | | | whole body, including our reproductive organs. Thus, |
| women are made differently. What is true for most | | | | it is assumed that they boost fertility and our |
| may not necessarily be true for you. The same goes | | | | chances of conceiving successfully. |
| for fertility. | | | | Herbal supplements containing Vitex, Ginkgo biloba, |
| It is a fact that fertility declines rapidly once we hit | | | | and Siberian ginseng also claim to boost fertility. The |
| our mid 30s. This fact has been borne out by several | | | | effects of these herbs vary. Some are believed to |
| studies done on populations of women of different | | | | improve blood circulation to the reproductive organs, |
| cultures who do not practice any form of | | | | thereby improving its overall health. Others are |
| contraception. | | | | touted to exert direct influence on the levels of the |
| Although I could quote these fertility facts, bear in | | | | hormone estrogen, thus inducing ovulation. Studies |
| mind that these are just trends. In my practice, I | | | | done on small populations of men and women given |
| have had several women in their 40s who | | | | these herbs showed promising results. |
| successfully conceived and carried their pregnancies | | | | Why do women choose to get pregnant over 40? |
| to term with no real complications. Some of these | | | | Well, late motherhood has unique rewards. Women |
| women were first time mothers. Although their | | | | usually choose to delay pregnancy until they have |
| pregnancies were monitored more closely than their | | | | achieved their personal and career goals. They |
| younger counterparts, most of these women | | | | wanted to gain financial security. |
| delivered healthy babies. | | | | They may have delayed marriage and childbearing |
| Can a woman get pregnant over 40 without need | | | | until they have achieved fulfillment in their chosen |
| for ovulation induction? It is wise to assume that you | | | | careers or personal lives. Some of these women |
| still have adequate ovarian reserve as long as you still | | | | have problematic childhood, thus they may want to |
| experience regular, monthly menses. Ovulation may | | | | resolve all their issues and be emotionally mature |
| still occur, and pregnancy is still possible. | | | | before having children of their own. Or they simply |
| Are there natural ways to help one get pregnant | | | | may have met the right person to share parenthood |
| over 40? There are a lot of vitamins and | | | | with late in life. |