GITNUXREPORT 2025

Pregnancy At 45 Statistics

Pregnancy at 45 carries high risks but possible with advanced care.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

About 35-40% of women who conceive after age 45 do so through assisted reproductive technologies.

Statistic 2

Fertility treatments such as ICSI and IVF are frequently used by women over 45 to conceive.

Statistic 3

Women over 45 often require multiple embryo transfers during IVF to improve chances of success.

Statistic 4

Maternal mortality risk for women over 45 is approximately 2-3 times higher compared to women aged 20-34.

Statistic 5

The rate of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions is higher for babies born to mothers aged 45+, at around 20-30%.

Statistic 6

The risk of chromosomal abnormalities in pregnancies at age 45 is approximately 1 in 12.

Statistic 7

Women over 45 are five times more likely to experience pregnancy complications compared to women in their 20s.

Statistic 8

The likelihood of preeclampsia in women aged 45 and above is approximately 20-25%, compared to 5-8% in younger women.

Statistic 9

The incidence of gestational diabetes in women over 45 is about 10%, higher than the 3-5% in younger age groups.

Statistic 10

The miscarriage rate for women aged 45 is estimated at around 50%, significantly higher than in younger women.

Statistic 11

The average duration of pregnancy at age 45 is often slightly extended due to medical management, around 40-41 weeks.

Statistic 12

Women over 45 have a higher likelihood of preterm birth, around 20-25%, versus 10% in younger women.

Statistic 13

The rate of cesarean delivery in women over 45 is approximately 60-70%, compared to 32% in the general population.

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Advanced maternal age is associated with increased risks of placenta previa and placental abruption.

Statistic 15

The chances of having a baby with Down syndrome at age 45 are approximately 1 in 30.

Statistic 16

Women aged 45 and above experience a higher rate of postpartum complications, including hemorrhage and infection.

Statistic 17

Advanced age pregnancies are associated with higher rates of fetal growth restriction.

Statistic 18

Pregnancy at age 45 increases the likelihood of chromosomal mosaicism.

Statistic 19

Women over 45 are more likely to require cesarean section due to labor complications.

Statistic 20

Advanced maternal age is linked with increased risk of congenital anomalies such as heart defects and neural tube defects.

Statistic 21

The average gestational weight gain for women over 45 is similar to younger women, around 25-35 pounds.

Statistic 22

Women over 45 are more likely to undergo extensive prenatal testing, including amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.

Statistic 23

Maternal age over 45 is associated with increased placental issues such as previa and abruption.

Statistic 24

Emotional and psychological support is crucial for women over 45 due to increased pregnancy risks.

Statistic 25

The rate of postpartum depression in women over 45 is often higher, approximately 15-20%, compared to around 10% in younger women.

Statistic 26

The presence of chronic health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes is higher among women over 45.

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Women aged 45 and older constitute approximately 1-2% of all pregnancies globally.

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The fertility rate for women aged 45-49 is around 1.1 births per woman, significantly lower than younger age groups.

Statistic 29

IVF success rates for women aged 45 are roughly 1-5%, depending on clinic and health conditions.

Statistic 30

Multiple pregnancies are more common in women 45 and older, occurring in around 25-30% of pregnancies.

Statistic 31

The use of donor eggs increases success rates at age 45 to approximately 30-50%, depending on various factors.

Statistic 32

The chance of having a healthy baby at age 45, without genetic abnormalities, is estimated at roughly 80-85% with proper screening.

Statistic 33

The overall live birth rate after IVF in women aged 45 is about 1-3%, rising slightly with donor eggs.

Statistic 34

Fertility decline begins significantly after age 35, with a sharper drop after 40.

Statistic 35

The rate of twin and higher-order multiple pregnancies is much higher in women aged 45+ due to assisted reproduction.

Statistic 36

The chance of conception naturally at 45 is roughly 1-2% per cycle.

Statistic 37

The average number of IVF cycles needed for women over 45 to conceive is about 3-4.

Statistic 38

The use of progesterone supplements can decrease miscarriage risk in women over 45.

Statistic 39

The likelihood of successful pregnancy with egg donation in women 45+ can be as high as 50%, depending on health factors.

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Key Highlights

  • Women aged 45 and older constitute approximately 1-2% of all pregnancies globally.
  • The fertility rate for women aged 45-49 is around 1.1 births per woman, significantly lower than younger age groups.
  • The risk of chromosomal abnormalities in pregnancies at age 45 is approximately 1 in 12.
  • IVF success rates for women aged 45 are roughly 1-5%, depending on clinic and health conditions.
  • Women over 45 are five times more likely to experience pregnancy complications compared to women in their 20s.
  • The likelihood of preeclampsia in women aged 45 and above is approximately 20-25%, compared to 5-8% in younger women.
  • The incidence of gestational diabetes in women over 45 is about 10%, higher than the 3-5% in younger age groups.
  • Multiple pregnancies are more common in women 45 and older, occurring in around 25-30% of pregnancies.
  • The miscarriage rate for women aged 45 is estimated at around 50%, significantly higher than in younger women.
  • The average duration of pregnancy at age 45 is often slightly extended due to medical management, around 40-41 weeks.
  • About 35-40% of women who conceive after age 45 do so through assisted reproductive technologies.
  • The use of donor eggs increases success rates at age 45 to approximately 30-50%, depending on various factors.
  • Maternal mortality risk for women over 45 is approximately 2-3 times higher compared to women aged 20-34.

Pregnancy at 45 is increasingly becoming a remarkable journey fraught with unique challenges and opportunities, highlighting both the advances in reproductive technology and the heightened health risks faced by women in their mid-forties.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) and Interventions

  • About 35-40% of women who conceive after age 45 do so through assisted reproductive technologies.
  • Fertility treatments such as ICSI and IVF are frequently used by women over 45 to conceive.
  • Women over 45 often require multiple embryo transfers during IVF to improve chances of success.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) and Interventions Interpretation

Despite the remarkable advances in fertility technology, the journey to conceive after 45 remains a high-stakes game—where the odds are boosted by science but still demand persistence, multiple attempts, and a touch of hope.

Maternal and Neonatal Health and Survival

  • Maternal mortality risk for women over 45 is approximately 2-3 times higher compared to women aged 20-34.
  • The rate of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions is higher for babies born to mothers aged 45+, at around 20-30%.

Maternal and Neonatal Health and Survival Interpretation

While motherhood at 45 can bring joy and fulfillment, these statistics serve as a sobering reminder that increased maternal age carries a heightened risk, with maternal mortality soaring to 2-3 times that of younger women and NICU admissions affecting up to a third of these newborns.

Pregnancy Risks and Complications

  • The risk of chromosomal abnormalities in pregnancies at age 45 is approximately 1 in 12.
  • Women over 45 are five times more likely to experience pregnancy complications compared to women in their 20s.
  • The likelihood of preeclampsia in women aged 45 and above is approximately 20-25%, compared to 5-8% in younger women.
  • The incidence of gestational diabetes in women over 45 is about 10%, higher than the 3-5% in younger age groups.
  • The miscarriage rate for women aged 45 is estimated at around 50%, significantly higher than in younger women.
  • The average duration of pregnancy at age 45 is often slightly extended due to medical management, around 40-41 weeks.
  • Women over 45 have a higher likelihood of preterm birth, around 20-25%, versus 10% in younger women.
  • The rate of cesarean delivery in women over 45 is approximately 60-70%, compared to 32% in the general population.
  • Advanced maternal age is associated with increased risks of placenta previa and placental abruption.
  • The chances of having a baby with Down syndrome at age 45 are approximately 1 in 30.
  • Women aged 45 and above experience a higher rate of postpartum complications, including hemorrhage and infection.
  • Advanced age pregnancies are associated with higher rates of fetal growth restriction.
  • Pregnancy at age 45 increases the likelihood of chromosomal mosaicism.
  • Women over 45 are more likely to require cesarean section due to labor complications.
  • Advanced maternal age is linked with increased risk of congenital anomalies such as heart defects and neural tube defects.
  • The average gestational weight gain for women over 45 is similar to younger women, around 25-35 pounds.
  • Women over 45 are more likely to undergo extensive prenatal testing, including amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.
  • Maternal age over 45 is associated with increased placental issues such as previa and abruption.

Pregnancy Risks and Complications Interpretation

Pregnancy at 45, while often a testament to resilience and hope, comes accompanied by a notable increase in risks—ranging from chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome at about 1 in 30, to higher chances of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and cesarean delivery—highlighting that advanced maternal age is both a remarkable journey and a meticulous balancing act with nature's unpredictability.

Psychosocial and Health Conditions

  • Emotional and psychological support is crucial for women over 45 due to increased pregnancy risks.
  • The rate of postpartum depression in women over 45 is often higher, approximately 15-20%, compared to around 10% in younger women.
  • The presence of chronic health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes is higher among women over 45.

Psychosocial and Health Conditions Interpretation

As women over 45 navigate the complex terrain of pregnancy, emotional resilience and medical support become indispensable, given the heightened risks, increased likelihood of postpartum depression, and prevalence of chronic health conditions.

Reproductive and Fertility Outcomes

  • Women aged 45 and older constitute approximately 1-2% of all pregnancies globally.
  • The fertility rate for women aged 45-49 is around 1.1 births per woman, significantly lower than younger age groups.
  • IVF success rates for women aged 45 are roughly 1-5%, depending on clinic and health conditions.
  • Multiple pregnancies are more common in women 45 and older, occurring in around 25-30% of pregnancies.
  • The use of donor eggs increases success rates at age 45 to approximately 30-50%, depending on various factors.
  • The chance of having a healthy baby at age 45, without genetic abnormalities, is estimated at roughly 80-85% with proper screening.
  • The overall live birth rate after IVF in women aged 45 is about 1-3%, rising slightly with donor eggs.
  • Fertility decline begins significantly after age 35, with a sharper drop after 40.
  • The rate of twin and higher-order multiple pregnancies is much higher in women aged 45+ due to assisted reproduction.
  • The chance of conception naturally at 45 is roughly 1-2% per cycle.
  • The average number of IVF cycles needed for women over 45 to conceive is about 3-4.
  • The use of progesterone supplements can decrease miscarriage risk in women over 45.
  • The likelihood of successful pregnancy with egg donation in women 45+ can be as high as 50%, depending on health factors.

Reproductive and Fertility Outcomes Interpretation

While aging naturally diminishes the odds of conception and healthy birth at 45—making it a statistical uphill climb—advancements like donor eggs and fertility treatments offer a glimmer of hope, transforming what was once considered nearly impossible into a calculated gamble with a fair shot.