How Old Is Too Old?
As mentioned in my previous blog, the oldest living mother to undergo IVF died two years after giving birth at age 67. The age limit for a woman to undergo IVF is around 50 at most clinics, but is that age even too old? The medical community is in disagreement over this issue as more women are waiting until they are older to get pregnant.
"Women are waiting longer on average to begin having children in the last 20-30 years due to careers, education and other opportunities not traditionally available to women. As a result, more women are finding that natural conception has become increasingly difficult" reports the Examiner.
Women over 30 begin to experience a natural decline in their own fertility. When attempting natural conception at later ages, women experience difficulties and often turn to alternative forms of fertility treatments. Although pregnancy at 67 is a rarity, many researchers are concerned about society's trend to rely on science to conceive. Women putting off a family until later years are putting themselves at risk of not being able to conceive at all. Just as their fertility decreases, the success rate of IVF also decreases with age. These are important factors for women to consider when planning for a future family.
Posted by Tala on 7/17/2009 1:20:23 PM
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