What You Should Know About Getting Pregnant with Donor Eggs in Your 40s and 50s

For women in their 40s and 50s who want to build or grow their family, the dream of becoming a mother may still be within reach through the use of donor eggs. With advancements in reproductive technology, donor egg in vitro fertilization (IVF) has become a viable option for more people. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about getting pregnant with donor eggs in your 40s and 50s.

How does donor egg IVF work?

Donor egg IVF involves the use of eggs donated by another woman, typically a healthy individual under the age of 34. These eggs are retrieved from the donor and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory setting. The resulting embryos are then transferred to the recipient's uterus, where they have the potential to implant and develop into a pregnancy.

IVF can be broken down into three phases: 

1. The retrieval phase, where the eggs are matured and extracted
2. The embryo phase, where eggs are fertilized and monitored in the lab
3. And the transfer phase, where an embryo is transferred to the uterus of the intended mother or gestational carrier

With donor eggs, the egg donor undergoes the retrieval (phase 1) and then her job is done. The eggs are then fertilized with the sperm of the intended father (or a sperm donor) and grown under the careful eye of a trained embryologist. At this point, some families opt to do genetic testing. Once the embryo is ready, the intended mother, or a gestational carrier, takes over to carry the pregnancy to term.

Unless your doctor has determined that it is impossible or dangerous for you to safely carry a pregnancy, you can absolutely undergo IVF and get pregnant with donor eggs. 

Donor eggs increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy

Here’s some good news: donor eggs can drastically increase your chances of success. Around 53 percent of all donor egg cycles will result in at least one live birth. This percentage varies depending on the egg donor, recipient body mass index, stage of embryo at transfer, the number of oocytes retrieved, and the quality of the clinic.

At every age, the chances of birth with donor eggs is better, but those who benefit the most from donor eggs are women over 35 and those with low ovarian reserve. In fact, about one-quarter of women over 40 who succeeded with IVF did so through the use of donor eggs. 

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The chart was made using the SART Patient Predictor for an average woman (5’4”, 150 lbs) with diminished ovarian reserve. As you can see, the chances of live birth after one donor egg cycle is 54% for recipients under 40, and only goes down slightly after this.

Can a 40-something year old get pregnant with donor eggs?

Yes, women in their 40s may be able to get pregnant with donor eggs. Donor egg IVF offers a viable solution for women in this age group who have experienced a decline in their own egg quality and quantity. As you can see from the chart above, the chances of getting pregnant in your 40s with donor eggs is much higher than with your own eggs.

Studies show that your chances of success using donor eggs does not diminish in your 40s. You read that right! A 30-year-old vs. a 40-year-old carrying a pregnancy with donor eggs will have about the same chances of success. Using donor eggs can greatly increase your chances of a healthy baby well into your 40s and even 50s.

Even though many women in their 40s and 50s can carry a pregnancy when using donor eggs, some need to use a gestational carrier for a variety of reasons. It’s important to note that carrying a pregnancy in your 40s and 50s does carry increased risks of pregnancy complications like hypertensive disorders and gestational diabetes.

What is the success rate of IVF with donor eggs over 40?

The success rate of IVF with donor eggs is generally higher for women over 40 compared to using their own eggs. According to various studies, the success rates for this procedure can range from 50% to 70% or even higher, depending on the individual circumstances and the quality of the embryos transferred. It is important to remember that success rates can vary. A fertility doctor can give you a personalized assessment.

Can a 50 year old woman get pregnant with donor eggs?

Yes, it may be possible for a 50 year old woman to get pregnant with donor eggs. While fertility declines with age, donor eggs can still offer a chance for women in their 50s to experience pregnancy and motherhood. 

In a study of women who became pregnant from egg donation, researchers at Columbia University found that women over age 50 do not appear to face any greater risk than those under 43. That doesn’t mean there’s no risk in pregnancy over 50, and anyone in this age group should undergo thorough medical screening before attempting pregnancy to ensure the best possible outcome.

Can a menopausal woman get pregnant with donor eggs?

While menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years, donor eggs can still provide an opportunity for menopausal women to experience pregnancy. The absence of menstruation and ovulation in menopausal women means they are unable to produce viable eggs. However, by using donor eggs, a menopausal woman can still carry a pregnancy and experience the joy of motherhood.

How many tries does it take to get pregnant with donor eggs?

For many people beginning the journey to use donor eggs, you may have already tried unsuccessfully with your own eggs and are eager to get pregnant as quickly as possible. Well here’s the good news: it is estimated that the probability of success reaches roughly 90% after three embryo transfers. This of course varies patient to patient, and your doctor should be able to give you a better idea of your chances based on your medical history. 

Is there an age limit for IVF with donor eggs?

Technically, there is no age limit (legal or otherwise) in the United States for pursuing IVF with or without donor eggs. But ASRM discourages IVF for females older than 55, and some clinics set their own age limits for patients they will treat. 

For females over 45 years old, ASRM advises:

• “Comprehensive” medical testing for cardiovascular and metabolic fitness to ensure the safety of the mother and baby during pregnancy 
• Psychosocial evaluation to determine if support is in place to raise a child to adulthood
• Counseling patients on potential increased medical risks related to pregnancy

There is no official recommendation when it comes to the age of a male intended parent.

Supporting mothers of all ages

There is no age limit for men having children and there is no maximum age for US domestic adoption – so why would we put an age restriction on mothers via egg donation? Generally, these restrictions are for her own health during pregnancy. 

All pregnancies have risks, and pregnancy after 50 is no exception. One small study followed 45 healthy mothers ages 50-63 who used donor eggs, and found that 35% experienced pregnancy-related hypertension (high blood pressure), 20% experienced gestational diabetes, and 78% had a cesarean section. These numbers are higher than the general population. 

But what if a gestational carrier (surrogate) carries the donor egg pregnancy? Then the argument turns to the ability to parent. 

ASRM lays out some compelling arguments in favor of donor egg IVF for women over 45:

• Older people (grandparents) raise children all the time in our society, and successfully at that. So there’s no reason to think older parents wouldn’t have the physical and psychological stamina for raising children.
• Older men often have children, and there is no set age limit for males in IVF. So why create limits for women?
• Our society respects the rights of individuals to make reproductive choices regardless of age or life expectancy. For example, we don’t ban someone with a terminal illness from becoming a parent. So why stop someone else because of their age?

Benefits of having children later

Becoming a parent at an older age certainly has pros and cons, and is different for everyone. But here are some benefits to having children in your 40s and 50s:

• Financial security: older parents tend to have more financial freedom and savings, making the financial commitment of parenting less daunting.
• Emotional maturity: Older parents feel more ready and mature. In a study of older parents, 72% of mothers and 57% of fathers expressed that the emotional maturity associated with age provided a clear advantage to having children later in life.
• Smoother parenting: One study found that older maternal age was associated with fewer behavioral, social and emotional difficulties
• More life experiences: People who start families later in life have had more opportunity to check things off their bucket list – travel, work accomplishments, hobbies – and may not feel like parenting is as much of a compromise in their lives. Plus, they have more to teach their littles! 

Celebrities who got pregnant after 45 

An unassisted pregnancy after age 45 is rare, and even with IVF, the chances of getting pregnant with your own eggs at 45 is just 5% (it’s 1% at age 50). Getting pregnant after 45 generally means someone used frozen eggs (either from their younger self, or from an egg donor). Here are some celebrities to remind you that you are not alone!

• Susan Sarandon, 45
• Chloë Sevigny, 45
• Savannah Guthrie, 45
• Jane Kaczmarek, 46
• Halle Berry, 47
• Cameron Diaz, 47
• Holly Hunter, 47
• Kelly Preston, 47
• Tamron Hall, 48
• Rachel Weisz, 48
• Geena Davis, 48
• Hilary Swank, 48
• Beverly D'Angelo, 49
• Laura Linney, 49
• Janet Jackson, 50
• Naomi Campbell, 50 
• Hoda Kotb, 52
• Nichole Kidman, 53
• Salma Hayek, 54
• Naomi Watts, 54

Tens of thousands of families have babies each year through egg donation, and celebrities are no different. While some celebrities choose to speak openly about their decision to use donor egg IVF, others choose not to. Looking at the data, we can speculate that many people over 45 (celebrity and otherwise) use frozen eggs to conceive. But if those frozen eggs were from their own egg freezing cycle years ago, or from a donor egg freezing cycle, is their story to tell.

Find an egg donor through Cofertility

We aim to be the best egg sharing program, providing an experience that honors, respects, and uplifts everyone involved. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Baby guarantee. We truly want to help you bring your baby home, and we will re-match you for free until that happens.
• Donor empowerment. Our donors aren’t doing it for cash – they keep half the eggs retrieved for their own future use, and donate half to your family. It’s a win-win.
• Diversity: We’re proud about the fact that the donors on our platform are as diverse as the intended parents seeking to match with them. We work with intended parents to understand their own cultural values — including regional nuances — in hopes of finding them the perfect match.
• Human-centered. We didn’t like the status quo in egg donation. So we’re doing things differently, starting with our human-centered matching platform.
• Lifetime support: Historically, other egg donation options have treated egg donor matching as a one-and-done experience. Beyond matching, beyond a pregnancy, beyond a birth…we believe in supporting the donor-conceived family for life. Our resources and education provide intended parents with the guidance they need to raise happy, healthy kids and celebrate their origin stories.

For those who match with a donor in our fresh egg donation program, the average number of mature eggs a family receives and fertilizes is 12. The number of eggs retrieved varies by patient and cycle, but can be predicted by a donor’s age, AMH, and antral follicle count, all of which will be known to you after the donor’s initial screening. Qualified candidates have an ample ovarian reserve for both their own needs and sharing. Egg share donors also often work closely with a fertility doctor to determine, based on their own medical history, the optimal number of eggs needed for their own future family-building goals. Should it make sense for the donor, they may choose to pursue a second egg-sharing cycle to maximize the chances of success for everyone.

Matching with a donor in our frozen program can provide the opportunity to move forward with your family-building plans faster, as frozen eggs can be fertilized or shipped to your clinic immediately or as soon as the cycle is complete. Donors undergoing frozen cycles complete equally rigorous ovarian reserve testing. While the total number of frozen eggs available will vary based on the donor’s retrieval outcomes, every frozen match is guaranteed to have a minimum of at least 6 frozen eggs.

To learn more about these programs and the differences between them, click here.

We are obsessed with improving the family-building journey — today or in the future — and are in an endless pursuit to make these experiences more positive. Create a free account to get started today!

Summing it up

Getting pregnant with donor eggs in your 40s or 50s may be possible, although ASRM discourages it for women over 55, and fertility clinics may set their own age limit. Anyone over 45 is recommended to undergo comprehensive medical testing, counseling, and a psychosocial evaluation. There are pros and cons to becoming a parent at any age, and these should be carefully considered when making the decision. We wish you all the best!

If you are pursuing donor eggs, we’d love to help. Our Family by Co platform serves as a more transparent, ethical egg donor matching platform. We are obsessed with improving the family-building journey and are in an endless pursuit to make these experiences more positive. 

Sign up for a free account today. 

FAQ

What is donor egg IVF?

Donor egg IVF is an IVF cycle that uses a medically-cleared woman's eggs, which are then fertilized and implanted into the uterus of the intended mother or gestational carrier. 

What is “advanced maternal age” (over 35) and “advanced reproductive age” (over 45)?

Advanced maternal age is a not-so-great term used by the medical community to describe a potential pregnancy for women over 35. Advanced reproductive age refers to women over 45.  Interestingly, there is no similar term for males trying to conceive at any age. 

Am I too old to become a parent?

This is a question only you can answer. How is your health? Do you have a support system that could help raise the child if anything were to happen to you? Are you financially ready? These are questions any parent, at any age, should ask before building a family. 

Does your age matter with donor eggs?
While age can impact a woman's own fertility, the option of using donor eggs opens doors to motherhood, even for those in their 40s and 50s. At every age, the chances of birth with donor eggs is better, but those who benefit the most from donor eggs are women over 35 and those with low ovarian reserve.

How can I find an egg donor?

Our Family by Co platform serves as a more transparent, ethical egg donor matching platform. Create a free account today to get started!