Deferred maternity and reproductive techniques: French and Spanish approaches

French reproductive doctors support delayed motherhood

In France, reproductive doctors support a bioethics law that allows women to freeze their eggs for later use without medical reasons.

The average age of the first pregnancy in France is 28.5 years, whereas it was around 24 years in the 1970s. Today, most first pregnancies occur after the age of 30. Michaël Grynberg, head of the reproductive medicine department at Antoine Béclère Hospital in Clamart, notes that women are delaying their pregnancies for professional reasons or because they haven't met the right partner. The trend is similar in other European countries, where women prefer to focus on their careers and personal development before starting a family.

In France, women under 43 can benefit from IVF (in vitro fertilization) through a government program that covers 3 attempts. However, this option is not always successful, as the quality of eggs significantly decreases with age starting at 35. The wait for IVF can also last up to five years.

“We still do not have reliable techniques to improve egg quality,” explains Professor Michaël Grynberg. The only available tool is egg freezing at a young age to “stop time by freezing the eggs.”

Women over 36 have only a 5 to 10% chance of getting pregnant through IVF, whereas using frozen eggs before the age of 35 increases the chances of conception success to 60%.

In 2021, the revision of the bioethics law allowed the legalization of egg self-preservation for women who want to delay motherhood. Previously, only those about to undergo cancer treatment, which could harm their reproductive capacity, could benefit from this option.

But the law is very regulated with coverage between the 29th and 37th birthday, which is why many women consider being treated in clinics in Spain, such as the NatuVitro clinic.

Treatment of infertility in Spain: a quick and effective approach

Many women in France, faced with long waits and a very restrictive law, opt for treatment in Spain. In vitro fertilization (IVF) at Spanish clinics, such as the NatuVitro Clinic, is becoming increasingly popular due to shorter waiting times and higher success rates. Spain also offers IVF with egg donation and IVF with double donation, an ideal solution for women who have few or no eggs.

Women prefer to go to Spanish clinics to avoid years of waiting in France and obtain faster results. This is particularly important for those facing age restrictions who wish to increase their chances of successful conception. IVF with egg donation and double donation can significantly increase the chances of pregnancy, making Spanish clinics an attractive choice for many women.