Having a Baby After 35? How GIFT And ZIFT Can Help
Scientific breakthroughs have opened the door for many women over age 35 to get pregnant. After the age of 30, a woman’s fertility begins gradually to decline until menopause. Over time, ovulation frequency, egg number, and egg quality decrease. Despite the age-related decline in fertility, certain reproductive technologies can increase the chances of pregnancy.
Increasing your chances of conception
Women over 35 may feel disillusioned after many unsuccessful pregnancy attempts. Women over 35 can take up to two years or more to become pregnant. Getting pregnant doesn’t usually happen immediately. Fortunately, a person can do many things to increase the chances of conception. Couples should start by scheduling an appointment with a fertility specialist.
Lifestyle changes
Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and smoking can significantly improve a persons’ fertility. Maintaining a healthy weight can also improve hormone function. Keeping track of fertility signs can help couples determine the best timing to improve the chances of conception. At-home fertility screening tests allow couples to examine the body’s hormone levels. Some supplements can also help enhance the quality of eggs and ovarian health.
Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)
GIFT requires a healthy fallopian tube for gamete transplantation. During the laparoscopic surgical procedure, a surgeon will place multiple eggs from the ovaries in a catheter along with a sperm sample. The gametes, or eggs and sperm, are transplanted into the fallopian tubes while the patient is under general anesthesia.
Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT)
ZIFT combines techniques used in GIFT procedures and in vitro fertilization (IVF). A woman’s eggs are collected using IVF techniques. The eggs are fertilized with sperm in a lab. The fertilized eggs, or zygotes, are placed into the fallopian tubes where they will be transported into the uterus. A successful ZIFT procedure should implant in the uterus and develop into a fetus.
Risk of multiple pregnancy and prematurity
Women over the age of 35 will have a better chance of conceiving by transferring more embryos compared to younger women. Unfortunately, the higher embryo count increases the risk of multiple pregnancies, which has a higher risk for prematurity. Doctors may recommend limiting the number of embryos transferred.
Pregnancy after 40
Women over 40 are prone to losing more embryos compared to younger women. Experts advise women over 40 to use donor eggs to improve the chances of getting pregnant. Success rates for IVF using donor eggs for women over 40 significantly increase. Speaking with a fertility specialist can give patients a personalized treatment plan.
