Six out of 10 couples seeking fertility treatment are trying to conceive a second child, a leading fertility doctor has said. This is a symptom of the fact that many couples are now having their first children in their late 30s.

The number of births to women in their late 40s is increasing, with figures from the Central Statistics Office showing a record high of 408 babies born to mothers aged 45 or over in 2023.

Dr Ahmed Omar, medical director at Beacon Care Fertility, said the surge in births among women over 45 is likely due to two main factors: IVF treatment using donor eggs, which typically come from younger women; and, the growing use of egg freezing.

He estimates that donor eggs account for most of the increase in older births.

At his clinic, nearly two-thirds of patients are now seeking treatment for secondary infertility.

He sees people who had their first child in their later 30s without fertility help.

But, by the time they are trying for their second baby, they are in their 40s, and then it becomes difficult.

“That’s why we could argue six out of 10 of the couples that we see are not having problems with the first pregnancy, it’s the second pregnancy.”