Sharp rise in women over 45 trying to have a baby

A leading fertility clinic has said there has been a sharp increase in the number of Irish women over 45 trying for a baby.

Almost 70 babies have been born to Irish women over the age of 45 over the last seven years after successful fertility treatment in the Institut Marques clinic in Spain.

There has been a 50% rise in the number of Irish women in their late 40s seeking fertility treatment at the clinic which specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of long-standing unexplained infertility, In 2012, almost all the 143 Irish patients at the clinic used donor eggs or embryos in their last ditch attempt to have a child – which cuts out many of the risks associated with late maternal age.