# Can you have a baby after 40?

> Fertility expert explains why celebrity 'geriatric pregnancy' stories don't mean everyone can conceive naturally at 40.
- Title: Can you have a baby after 40? · MadeForMums | Shortify
- Summary: Fertility expert explains why celebrity 'geriatric pregnancy' stories don't mean everyone can conceive naturally at 40. Women over 40 can have babies but…
- Keywords: fertility, celebrity pregnancy, geriatric pregnancy, age 40, conception, ivf, natural conception, fertility treatment, women over 40, motherhood, baby, MadeForMums
- Source: MadeForMums — https://madeformums.com/apple-news/can-you-have-a-baby-after-40-celebrity-pregnancies-fertility-expert
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: fertility, celebrity pregnancy, geriatric pregnancy, age 40, conception, ivf, natural conception, fertility treatment, women over 40, motherhood
## Celebrity pregnancy trend
Famous women like Hilary Swank at 52 and Lady Gaga at 40 are having babies later in life.

> From Hilary Swank expecting another child at 52 to Lady Gaga becoming a first-time mum at 40
## Why women delay motherhood
Financial readiness, partner availability, and career goals affect when women start families.

> Among 32-year-olds who wanted a child but weren't yet trying, 46% said they didn't feel ready, 28% cited financial reasons, 24% didn't have a suitable partner and 22% pointed to work or study.
## Fertility statistics
Only 44% of women born in the early 1990s became mothers by 30, compared to 58% of their mothers' generation.

> Research from University College London, following people born in the early 1990s, found that just 44% of women had become mothers by 30
## London motherhood trend
London's average mother age reached 32.5 in 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics.

> And the shift is particularly noticeable in London, where the average age of mothers reached 32.5 in 2024
## Motherhood experience
Sybilla Hart, a mum-of-five, felt more emotionally ready for motherhood at 38 than in her twenties.

> I had grown hugely in levels of emotional maturity and was happy to stay in the newborn bubble and baby chaos for as long as it took
## Fertility challenges
Women over 40 face lower natural conception chances and higher miscarriage risks with age.

> By your 40s, both the number and quality of eggs have typically decreased, making conception more difficult and increasing the risk of miscarriage.
## Natural conception rates
Women in their early 40s have about a 5% monthly chance of conceiving naturally.

> Women in their early 40s may have around a 5% chance of conceiving naturally each month
## IVF success rates
IVF success rates drop from 10% for women aged 40-42 to 5% for women aged 43-44.

> In 2022, the IVF birth rate per embryo transferred was around 10% for women aged 40 to 42, falling to approximately 5% for women aged 43 to 44.
## Fertility treatment access
Only 24% of IVF cycles in England were NHS-funded in 2023, compared to 54% in Scotland.

> In 2023, just 24% of IVF cycles in England were NHS-funded, compared with 54% in Scotland
## Fertility expert advice
Dr Justin Chu recommends seeking fertility advice early to understand options for conception.

> Dr Justin Chu, UK Medical Director at TFP Fertility, explains that there are several routes to motherhood later in life.
## Key takeaway
Later motherhood is possible but individual circumstances matter more than celebrity examples.

> The message isn't that women should abandon their hopes of having a baby after 40. It's that later motherhood is possible, but individual circumstances matter.
## Key takeaway

Women over 40 can have babies but face lower natural conception chances and medical challenges, with celebrity pregnancies not guaranteeing fertility success.