The number of women aged over 40 becoming pregnant is at a record level, figures from the Office for National Statistics show.
The number of women aged over 40 becoming pregnant is at a record level, figures from the Office for National Statistics show.
The conception rate for the over 40s in England and Wales rose by 6% between 2005 and 2006, and now stands at 12.2 pregnancies per 1,000 women.
The conception rate for the over 40s in England and Wales rose by 6% between 2005 and 2006, and now stands at 12.2 pregnancies per 1,000 women.
The overall pregnancy rate rose by 3% over the same period, the ONS said.
The overall pregnancy rate rose by 3% over the same period, the ONS said.
Teenagers were also having fewer babies, with a slight fall in pregnancies among 13 to 15-year-olds.
Teenagers were also having fewer babies, with a slight fall in pregnancies among 13 to 15-year-olds.
There were an estimated 866,800 conceptions in 2006, a rise of 25,000 from the previous year.
There were an estimated 866,800 conceptions in 2006, a rise of 25,000 from the previous year.
The most likely age for motherhood was 25 to 29, with a rate of 129 pregnancies for every 1,000 women in this age group.
The most likely age for motherhood was 25 to 29, with a rate of 129 pregnancies for every 1,000 women in this age group.
Four out of five women who became pregnant went on to give birth.
Four out of five women who became pregnant went on to give birth.
More than half of the pregnancies happened outside marriage, although the figures only cover those where the parents were unmarried at the time of the birth, and both appeared on the birth certificate.
More than half of the pregnancies happened outside marriage, although the figures only cover those where the parents were unmarried at the time of the birth, and both appeared on the birth certificate.
More women are putting off motherhood until their 40s, partly due to advances in fertility techniques which help those who are unable to conceive naturally at that point.
More women are putting off motherhood until their 40s, partly due to advances in fertility techniques which help those who are unable to conceive naturally at that point.
While they and their unborn babies do face slightly increased risks during pregnancy and childbirth, studies have suggested that they are just as able as younger mothers to look after children.
While they and their unborn babies do face slightly increased risks during pregnancy and childbirth, studies have suggested that they are just as able as younger mothers to look after children.
Teenage target
Teenage target
The government wants to halve the number of conceptions in under-18s by 2010, based on a figure set in 1998.
The government wants to halve the number of conceptions in under-18s by 2010, based on a figure set in 1998.
Juliet Hillier, from Brook, the sexual health charity for young people, said she was expecting the downward trend in teenage pregnancy to continue.
Juliet Hillier, from Brook, the sexual health charity for young people, said she was expecting the downward trend in teenage pregnancy to continue.
"There are four main strands we need across the country to really bring teenage pregnancy levels down - a high quality clinical service, a high quality outreach service, you need really good sexual education in schools and a strong lead from local authorities.
"There are four main strands we need across the country to really bring teenage pregnancy levels down - a high quality clinical service, a high quality outreach service, you need really good sexual education in schools and a strong lead from local authorities.
"Quite a lot has happened in the last few years and we know what building bricks need to be in place."
"Quite a lot has happened in the last few years and we know what building bricks need to be in place."
Are you over 40 and planning to get pregnant? What could be the reasons for the rise in the conception rate for this age group? Send us your experiences using the form below.
Are you over 40 and planning to get pregnant? Or did you have a baby after 40? What could be the reasons for the rise in the conception rate for this age group? Send us your experiences using the form below.
