Health

40 and Pregnant: How IVF has Helped Women have Children Later in Life

Published

6 years ago

August 17, 2019

As recent reports of a 62 year-old Spanish woman successfully giving birth after IVF treatment began to circulate, following similar reports of 72 year-old Daljinder Kaur giving birth earlier in 2021, prospective parents around the world have a new ray of hope in starting a family.

There is growing consensus spanning medical disciplines that advanced assisted reproductive techniques are able to effectively help women facing infertility or adverse social conditions overcome the obstacles to becoming mothers.

IVF has been a boon in helping couples provide infertility solutions, helping them reproduce. However, the success of a couple at pregnancy calls for the inputs of a healthcare scientist, an embryologist in particular, who plays an imperative role in the entire process.

Providing diagnostic services and embryological procedures, a reproductive embryologist performs careful examination of quality embryos to help couples have the best chance at becoming parents.

Embryo quality is one of the most important factors based on which a women’s pregnancy is defined. Embryo quality correlates with the maternal age, causes of infertility, ovarian stimulation parameters or embryo cohort size, and the outcome of the IVF cycle invariably depends on the above factors.

“As every woman is different, so the quality, gene expression and development of the embryo vary. However, as you age, the embryo quality is bound to deteriorate which increases the chances of infertility of aneuploidy, stating the abnormality of the embryos,” stated Dr. Goral Gandhi, an embryologist who is also a community advocate and educator of IVF and ART in India.

So how can older mothers, who want to opt for IVF or maybe conceive on their own make sure that their embryos are as healthy as possible? The answer lies in embryo testing, as it helps mitigate the chances of an unhealthy pregnancy, ensuring that the fetus is devoid of chromosomal abnormalities before implantation, suggests Dr Goral Gandhi. Her work in research and evaluation of pre-implantation genetic screening technology, and fertility-treatment-assisted pregnancies makes Gandhi an established authority.

“Older women understand their time is limited. If they lose three months because of a miscarriage, that’s a lot of time. Most patients like the idea of having as much information in front of them as possible, so they don’t have to go through the very difficult waiting period between the embryo transfer and the pregnancy test if the embryo wouldn’t have resulted in pregnancy,” says Goldman, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

When it comes to women above 30, it is deemed appropriate to transfer multiple embryos, to boost the overall success of the procedure. The choice is, however, elective and can be best if decided upon the consideration of the embryologist. “Numbers for live birth rates show that older DNA can be rescued by modern IVF, and this offers great hope to women in their 40s who hope to be a mum,” Queensland Fertility Group medical director Dr David Molloy told The Sunday Mail.

Although ART has been used to treat infertility in both men, women of all age brackets, it calls for an extensive evaluation of treatment options by both the patient and the doctor before opting for any procedure.

Your age shouldn’t be a bar to measure your success and ability as a parent, and IVF has helped women exceed their fertility limits, and give birth to healthy babies regardless of their age.

Health

Addressing Common Myths About Vitamins and Supplements by Amanda Tirado

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Michelle Langton

The wellness industry is filled with advice about vitamins and supplements, but not all of it is accurate. Many people rely on supplements for better health, but misunderstandings about how they work can lead to wasted money or even potential harm. Amanda Lorena Tirado, founder of Xmy, is passionate about educating people on making smarter supplement choices. Her company focuses on high-quality, effective products while also giving back to the community through charitable initiatives. Let’s break down some of the most common myths about vitamins and supplements so you can make informed decisions.

One of the biggest myths is that all supplements work the same way, regardless of how they are taken. Many don’t realize that traditional pills and capsules have to pass through the digestive system, where stomach acid and enzymes break them down. This can significantly reduce the amount of nutrients your body actually absorbs.

In contrast, oral strips and liquid supplements enter the bloodstream more quickly, making them more effective. For example, vitamin B12 is often poorly absorbed in pill form but is much more bioavailable in liquid or sublingual forms. Choosing the right delivery method is just as important as picking the right supplement.

Another misconception is that supplements can replace a healthy diet. Many people assume taking a daily multivitamin covers all their nutritional needs, but that’s not how the body works. Supplements are designed to support a good diet, not replace it. Whole foods provide more than just vitamins, they contain fiber, antioxidants, and other compounds that work together to benefit your health.

For example, an orange does not just offer vitamin C. It also provides fiber, flavonoids, and other nutrients that enhance absorption and support overall health. Research has shown that people who get their nutrients from food rather than supplements tend to have better long-term health outcomes. So while supplements can help fill gaps in your diet, they should not be your primary source of nutrients.

Many people also assume that if a supplement is labeled as “natural,” it must be better and safer. But that’s not necessarily true. The term “natural” is often used as a marketing tool rather than an indicator of quality or safety.

Some natural ingredients can be harmful, especially in high doses or when mixed with certain medications. On the flip side, some synthetic nutrients are actually more stable and easier for the body to absorb. The key is to choose well-researched, high-quality supplements from reputable brands rather than relying on misleading labels.

Another dangerous myth is that taking more vitamins means better health. Some believe that if a little is good, a lot must be even better, but that’s not always the case.

Certain vitamins, especially fat-soluble ones like A, D, E, and K, can build up in the body and become toxic if taken in excessive amounts. Too much vitamin A, for example, can lead to liver damage, while excessive vitamin D can cause kidney problems. Even water-soluble vitamins like B-complex and C can cause side effects in very high doses, such as nerve issues or stomach discomfort. Moderation is key when it comes to supplementation.

At Xmy, the focus is not just on convenience, it’s about real impact. The company is committed to producing supplements that prioritize effectiveness and bioavailability. But their mission goes beyond selling products.

Misinformation about supplements is everywhere, but being informed is the best way to make smarter health choices. The way a supplement is absorbed matters as much as what’s in it. A balanced diet is still the foundation of good health, and more vitamins don’t always mean better results.

Xmy is changing the way people think about supplements. Amanda and her team believe that good health is not just about what you take, it’s about making informed choices and supporting brands that genuinely care. Choosing the right supplements means choosing a brand that stands for something bigger. With Xmy, you are not just improving your health, you are supporting a company that is making a real difference.