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# Never Too Late? Your Questions About Having a Baby After 40
- URL: https://thegreenparent.co.uk/never-too-late-your-questions-about-having-a-baby-after-40/
- Published: 2026-10-13T15:08:17.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-13T15:08:17.000Z
- Description: More women are starting or growing their families in their 40s. A fertility expert answers five of the most common questions, from natural conception to IVF and donor eggs.
- Author: The Green Parent
- Tags: pregnancy, motherhood, wellbeing

From Natalie Portman expecting her third child at 44 to Lady Gaga becoming a first-time mum at 40, later motherhood is very much in the spotlight. And it isn't just celebrities. Births to mothers aged 40 and over rose in England and Wales in 2024, according to the [**Office for National Statistics**](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/bulletins/birthsummarytablesenglandandwales/2024?ref=thegreenparent.co.uk).

Fertility treatment is playing a growing part too. In 2023, IVF accounted for 11% of UK births to women aged 40 to 44, up from 4% in 2000, according to the [**Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority**](https://www.hfea.gov.uk/about-us/publications/research-and-data/fertility-treatment-2023-trends-and-figures/?ref=thegreenparent.co.uk).

Pregnancy in your 40s is possible, both naturally and with help. But fertility does change with age, so the options and chances can look quite different at 40 than they did at 30\. Ahead of World Menopause Day on 18 October, Dr Justin Chu, UK Medical Director at TFP Fertility, answers five of the questions women ask most often.

> “There are many reasons why women may choose to start or grow their family in their 40s, and there are a number of options available. Pregnancy in your 40s is absolutely possible. However, age does play an important role in fertility, so understanding how it changes and getting advice at the right time can help you make informed decisions.”

## 1\. Can I still get pregnant naturally in my 40s?

Yes. Many women conceive naturally in their 40s, although it can take longer as fertility gradually declines. This is largely down to changes in the number and quality of eggs. Ovulation can also become less predictable as you approach menopause, but pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause.

Getting to know your menstrual cycle, looking after your health and seeking advice sooner rather than later if you're struggling to conceive can all help.

## 2\. How quickly does fertility decline after 40?

There's no single age when fertility suddenly stops. The decline happens gradually and becomes more noticeable from the mid-30s. By your 40s there are fewer eggs, and a greater proportion may have chromosomal abnormalities, which can make conceiving harder and raise the risk of miscarriage.

## 3\. How long should I try before seeking help?

If you're in your 40s, there's no set time you need to wait. You can talk to your GP or a fertility specialist before or as soon as you start trying, to understand your own circumstances and spot anything that might make conceiving more difficult. Not everyone in their 40s will need help or treatment to get pregnant.

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## 4\. Can IVF help me get pregnant after 40?

It can, although success varies from person to person and age still matters. If you're using your own eggs, IVF can't reverse changes to egg quantity or quality that have happened over time.

The picture can be quite different with eggs you froze when you were younger, or with donor eggs. Frozen eggs keep the quality they had when they were collected, and donor eggs usually come from women under 35, so both may give a better chance than using your own eggs later in life. A fertility assessment can help you work out which treatment, if any, might suit you.

## 5\. What other options are there?

There's no single route that's right for everyone. Depending on your circumstances, options might include IVF with your own eggs, eggs you froze earlier or donor eggs. Success with frozen eggs also depends on their quality and how many were stored, and no option can guarantee a pregnancy.

Reaching 40 doesn't mean you've run out of options, or that you automatically need IVF. What matters is understanding your own fertility and getting the right advice for you.

> “If having a baby is something you know you want, getting the right information early on gives you more time to understand your fertility and the choices available. Everybody's circumstances are different, and speaking to a specialist can help you work out the route that's right for you.”

*Find out more at* [***TFP Fertility***](https://tfp-fertility.com/en-gb/fertility-guides/early-menopause-symptoms-and-treatment?ref=thegreenparent.co.uk)*.*