GITNUXREPORT 2026

Pregnancy At 45 Statistics

Pregnancy at 45 is possible but faces very low odds and high medical risks.

Rajesh Patel

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Proportion of births to 45+ mothers: 3-5% in US

Statistic 2

First birth at 45+: 1%

Statistic 3

IVF usage 50% of pregnancies at 45

Statistic 4

Donor egg usage 40% at 45+

Statistic 5

Average age first birth rising to 27, but 45+ rising

Statistic 6

20% increase in 45+ births 2000-2020

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White women 45+ births 4%, Black 2%

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Urban areas 6% vs rural 2%

Statistic 9

Higher education correlates with delayed childbearing

Statistic 10

Europe 45+ birth rate 2 per 1000

Statistic 11

Asia low rates <1%

Statistic 12

Celebrity births at 45+ publicized 10/year

Statistic 13

Elective oocyte cryopreservation rising 20%/year

Statistic 14

Cost of IVF at 45: $20k/cycle average

Statistic 15

Insurance coverage low for 45+

Statistic 16

Global trend delayed fertility 15% women 40+

Statistic 17

UK 45+ births 1 in 200

Statistic 18

Australia 3% births to 40+

Statistic 19

Socioeconomic high SES 10x more 45+ births

Statistic 20

Divorced/widowed less likely

Statistic 21

Lesbian couples higher at 45+

Statistic 22

Pandemic increased 45+ attempts 10%

Statistic 23

Policy changes in China increased late births

Statistic 24

Women aged 45 have a natural monthly fertility rate of less than 1%

Statistic 25

At age 45, the chance of conceiving naturally within one year is about 1-5%

Statistic 26

IVF live birth rate for women 44-45 using own eggs is 1-2%

Statistic 27

Egg quality declines by 90% by age 45 compared to age 20

Statistic 28

Spontaneous pregnancy rate at 45 is 0.1% per cycle

Statistic 29

Donor egg IVF success at 45+ is 50-60%

Statistic 30

AMH levels average <0.5 ng/mL at 45

Statistic 31

Antral follicle count <5 at age 45

Statistic 32

FSH levels >25 IU/L typical at 45

Statistic 33

Cumulative live birth rate after 3 IVF cycles at 45: <5%

Statistic 34

95% of women 45+ need ART for conception

Statistic 35

Natural fecundity at 45: 0.5% per month

Statistic 36

Odds of live birth per cycle at 45: 1 in 200

Statistic 37

80% of eggs at 45 have chromosomal abnormalities

Statistic 38

Time to conception >12 months for 99% at 45

Statistic 39

Pregnancy rate with Clomid at 45: <5%

Statistic 40

IUI success at 45: 2-4%

Statistic 41

Live birth rate with frozen eggs at 45: negligible

Statistic 42

1 in 10 women 45+ conceive naturally

Statistic 43

AFC drops to 2-3 at 45

Statistic 44

Estradiol >100 pg/mL on day 3 poor prognosis at 45

Statistic 45

90% infertility rate at 45

Statistic 46

Per oocyte retrieval live birth <1% at 45

Statistic 47

Natural cycle IVF at 45: 0.5% success

Statistic 48

70% of 45+ use donor eggs successfully

Statistic 49

Miscarriage before confirming viability high at 45

Statistic 50

Conception odds drop 50% per year after 40

Statistic 51

99% of pregnancies at 45 require medical help

Statistic 52

Live birth per embryo transfer at 45: 2%

Statistic 53

Ovarian reserve depleted in 95% at 45

Statistic 54

Chromosomal abnormality risk 50% at 45

Statistic 55

Down syndrome risk 1 in 30 at 45

Statistic 56

Trisomy 18: 1 in 100 at 45

Statistic 57

Miscarriage rate 50-70% at 45

Statistic 58

Stillbirth rate 1-2% higher than younger

Statistic 59

Preterm birth 25-30%

Statistic 60

Low birth weight <2500g: 15-20%

Statistic 61

NICU admission 40%

Statistic 62

Congenital heart defects 2x risk

Statistic 63

Neural tube defects slightly increased

Statistic 64

IUGR 20%

Statistic 65

Macrosomia risk with GDM 30%

Statistic 66

Neonatal hypoglycemia 25%

Statistic 67

Respiratory distress syndrome 15%

Statistic 68

Jaundice requiring phototherapy 20%

Statistic 69

Autism risk 1.5x

Statistic 70

Cerebral palsy 2x

Statistic 71

Multiple gestation risks amplified

Statistic 72

Aneuploidy detection rate 90% via NIPT at 45

Statistic 73

Amniocentesis complication 0.5%

Statistic 74

CVS miscarriage risk 0.5-1%

Statistic 75

SGA infants 25%

Statistic 76

Perinatal mortality 2x baseline

Statistic 77

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy increased

Statistic 78

Long-term neurodevelopmental issues 1.5x

Statistic 79

Gestational hypertension risk 3x higher at 45+

Statistic 80

Preeclampsia incidence 20-30% at 45

Statistic 81

Gestational diabetes 15-25% at maternal age 45

Statistic 82

Placenta previa risk 2-4% at 45

Statistic 83

Cesarean section rate 60-80% at 45

Statistic 84

Postpartum hemorrhage 5x risk at 45

Statistic 85

Maternal mortality 4x higher at 45+

Statistic 86

VTE risk doubles every decade after 40

Statistic 87

Chronic hypertension 30% at 45 pregnancy

Statistic 88

Cardiac complications 10x at 45+

Statistic 89

Stillbirth risk 2-3% at 45

Statistic 90

Preterm labor 20% at advanced age

Statistic 91

Uterine rupture risk higher with prior C-section at 45

Statistic 92

Anemia incidence 40% at 45

Statistic 93

Thyroid dysfunction 15% in pregnancies at 45

Statistic 94

Severe maternal morbidity 50% higher

Statistic 95

Endometritis post C-section 10%

Statistic 96

HELLP syndrome 5x risk

Statistic 97

Oligohydramnios 15% at 45

Statistic 98

PROM risk increased 2-fold

Statistic 99

Perineal tear degree 3-4: 20%

Statistic 100

Postpartum depression 25% at advanced age

Statistic 101

Breastfeeding difficulties 30%

Statistic 102

Hysterectomy risk post-delivery 3x

Statistic 103

Renal failure acute 2%

Statistic 104

Sepsis 4x risk

Statistic 105

ARDS 5x

Statistic 106

Live birth rate overall 20-30% with interventions at 45

Statistic 107

Ongoing pregnancy rate 10% per IVF cycle at 45

Statistic 108

Multiple pregnancy rate 20% with IVF at 45

Statistic 109

Term delivery rate 60% of conceptions at 45

Statistic 110

Healthy baby rate ~70% with screening

Statistic 111

Ectopic pregnancy 5% risk at 45

Statistic 112

Elective C-section 70% at 45

Statistic 113

VBAC success 50% at advanced age

Statistic 114

Take-home baby rate 15% IVF own eggs 45+

Statistic 115

Cumulative success after 6 cycles ~25%

Statistic 116

Spontaneous abortion after 12 weeks 10%

Statistic 117

Twins complication rate 50% higher

Statistic 118

Overall survival to discharge 98%

Statistic 119

Bed rest requirement 40%

Statistic 120

Hospitalization antepartum 30%

Statistic 121

Induction of labor 50%

Statistic 122

Post-term pregnancy rare due to monitoring

Statistic 123

IVF cancellation rate 50% at 45

Statistic 124

Frozen transfer success 40% donor eggs

Statistic 125

PGT-A euploid rate 10% at 45

Statistic 126

Overall pregnancy rate 50% donor eggs

Statistic 127

Neonatal survival 99%

Statistic 128

5-min Apgar <7: 5%

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While the dream of a baby at forty-five burns bright for many, the stark biological reality is a monthly natural conception chance of less than one percent, launching a journey that is statistically one of medicine's most profound challenges.

Key Takeaways

  • Women aged 45 have a natural monthly fertility rate of less than 1%
  • At age 45, the chance of conceiving naturally within one year is about 1-5%
  • IVF live birth rate for women 44-45 using own eggs is 1-2%
  • Gestational hypertension risk 3x higher at 45+
  • Preeclampsia incidence 20-30% at 45
  • Gestational diabetes 15-25% at maternal age 45
  • Chromosomal abnormality risk 50% at 45
  • Down syndrome risk 1 in 30 at 45
  • Trisomy 18: 1 in 100 at 45
  • Live birth rate overall 20-30% with interventions at 45
  • Ongoing pregnancy rate 10% per IVF cycle at 45
  • Multiple pregnancy rate 20% with IVF at 45
  • Proportion of births to 45+ mothers: 3-5% in US
  • First birth at 45+: 1%
  • IVF usage 50% of pregnancies at 45

Pregnancy at 45 is possible but faces very low odds and high medical risks.

Demographic and Epidemiological Data

  • Proportion of births to 45+ mothers: 3-5% in US
  • First birth at 45+: 1%
  • IVF usage 50% of pregnancies at 45
  • Donor egg usage 40% at 45+
  • Average age first birth rising to 27, but 45+ rising
  • 20% increase in 45+ births 2000-2020
  • White women 45+ births 4%, Black 2%
  • Urban areas 6% vs rural 2%
  • Higher education correlates with delayed childbearing
  • Europe 45+ birth rate 2 per 1000
  • Asia low rates <1%
  • Celebrity births at 45+ publicized 10/year
  • Elective oocyte cryopreservation rising 20%/year
  • Cost of IVF at 45: $20k/cycle average
  • Insurance coverage low for 45+
  • Global trend delayed fertility 15% women 40+
  • UK 45+ births 1 in 200
  • Australia 3% births to 40+
  • Socioeconomic high SES 10x more 45+ births
  • Divorced/widowed less likely
  • Lesbian couples higher at 45+
  • Pandemic increased 45+ attempts 10%
  • Policy changes in China increased late births

Demographic and Epidemiological Data Interpretation

While the Hollywood glow of celebrity announcements makes late motherhood seem almost trendy, the real statistics paint a more sobering picture of a costly, urban, and educationally-privileged frontier, where modern science grapples with ancient biology on a very steep financial curve.

Fertility and Conception

  • Women aged 45 have a natural monthly fertility rate of less than 1%
  • At age 45, the chance of conceiving naturally within one year is about 1-5%
  • IVF live birth rate for women 44-45 using own eggs is 1-2%
  • Egg quality declines by 90% by age 45 compared to age 20
  • Spontaneous pregnancy rate at 45 is 0.1% per cycle
  • Donor egg IVF success at 45+ is 50-60%
  • AMH levels average <0.5 ng/mL at 45
  • Antral follicle count <5 at age 45
  • FSH levels >25 IU/L typical at 45
  • Cumulative live birth rate after 3 IVF cycles at 45: <5%
  • 95% of women 45+ need ART for conception
  • Natural fecundity at 45: 0.5% per month
  • Odds of live birth per cycle at 45: 1 in 200
  • 80% of eggs at 45 have chromosomal abnormalities
  • Time to conception >12 months for 99% at 45
  • Pregnancy rate with Clomid at 45: <5%
  • IUI success at 45: 2-4%
  • Live birth rate with frozen eggs at 45: negligible
  • 1 in 10 women 45+ conceive naturally
  • AFC drops to 2-3 at 45
  • Estradiol >100 pg/mL on day 3 poor prognosis at 45
  • 90% infertility rate at 45
  • Per oocyte retrieval live birth <1% at 45
  • Natural cycle IVF at 45: 0.5% success
  • 70% of 45+ use donor eggs successfully
  • Miscarriage before confirming viability high at 45
  • Conception odds drop 50% per year after 40
  • 99% of pregnancies at 45 require medical help
  • Live birth per embryo transfer at 45: 2%
  • Ovarian reserve depleted in 95% at 45

Fertility and Conception Interpretation

While Mother Nature turns decidedly thrifty with her own biological supplies at forty-five, modern medicine, armed with donor eggs, can still engineer a remarkable, albeit costly, miracle.

Fetal and Neonatal Risks

  • Chromosomal abnormality risk 50% at 45
  • Down syndrome risk 1 in 30 at 45
  • Trisomy 18: 1 in 100 at 45
  • Miscarriage rate 50-70% at 45
  • Stillbirth rate 1-2% higher than younger
  • Preterm birth 25-30%
  • Low birth weight <2500g: 15-20%
  • NICU admission 40%
  • Congenital heart defects 2x risk
  • Neural tube defects slightly increased
  • IUGR 20%
  • Macrosomia risk with GDM 30%
  • Neonatal hypoglycemia 25%
  • Respiratory distress syndrome 15%
  • Jaundice requiring phototherapy 20%
  • Autism risk 1.5x
  • Cerebral palsy 2x
  • Multiple gestation risks amplified
  • Aneuploidy detection rate 90% via NIPT at 45
  • Amniocentesis complication 0.5%
  • CVS miscarriage risk 0.5-1%
  • SGA infants 25%
  • Perinatal mortality 2x baseline
  • Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy increased
  • Long-term neurodevelopmental issues 1.5x

Fetal and Neonatal Risks Interpretation

The sheer number of potential hurdles laid out here feels less like a medical chart and more like a gauntlet, where every triumph over one statistic is a hard-won victory against daunting odds.

Maternal Health Risks

  • Gestational hypertension risk 3x higher at 45+
  • Preeclampsia incidence 20-30% at 45
  • Gestational diabetes 15-25% at maternal age 45
  • Placenta previa risk 2-4% at 45
  • Cesarean section rate 60-80% at 45
  • Postpartum hemorrhage 5x risk at 45
  • Maternal mortality 4x higher at 45+
  • VTE risk doubles every decade after 40
  • Chronic hypertension 30% at 45 pregnancy
  • Cardiac complications 10x at 45+
  • Stillbirth risk 2-3% at 45
  • Preterm labor 20% at advanced age
  • Uterine rupture risk higher with prior C-section at 45
  • Anemia incidence 40% at 45
  • Thyroid dysfunction 15% in pregnancies at 45
  • Severe maternal morbidity 50% higher
  • Endometritis post C-section 10%
  • HELLP syndrome 5x risk
  • Oligohydramnios 15% at 45
  • PROM risk increased 2-fold
  • Perineal tear degree 3-4: 20%
  • Postpartum depression 25% at advanced age
  • Breastfeeding difficulties 30%
  • Hysterectomy risk post-delivery 3x
  • Renal failure acute 2%
  • Sepsis 4x risk
  • ARDS 5x

Maternal Health Risks Interpretation

While the spirit of motherhood knows no age, the body at 45 presents a formidable statistical gauntlet where every potential joy is meticulously balanced against a sobering ledger of medical probabilities.

Pregnancy Outcomes and Success Rates

  • Live birth rate overall 20-30% with interventions at 45
  • Ongoing pregnancy rate 10% per IVF cycle at 45
  • Multiple pregnancy rate 20% with IVF at 45
  • Term delivery rate 60% of conceptions at 45
  • Healthy baby rate ~70% with screening
  • Ectopic pregnancy 5% risk at 45
  • Elective C-section 70% at 45
  • VBAC success 50% at advanced age
  • Take-home baby rate 15% IVF own eggs 45+
  • Cumulative success after 6 cycles ~25%
  • Spontaneous abortion after 12 weeks 10%
  • Twins complication rate 50% higher
  • Overall survival to discharge 98%
  • Bed rest requirement 40%
  • Hospitalization antepartum 30%
  • Induction of labor 50%
  • Post-term pregnancy rare due to monitoring
  • IVF cancellation rate 50% at 45
  • Frozen transfer success 40% donor eggs
  • PGT-A euploid rate 10% at 45
  • Overall pregnancy rate 50% donor eggs
  • Neonatal survival 99%
  • 5-min Apgar <7: 5%

Pregnancy Outcomes and Success Rates Interpretation

While the journey at 45 is a statistical obstacle course where every hard-won victory is a triumph, the finish line, when reached, overwhelmingly holds a healthy, thriving baby.

Sources & References