How Age Affects Fertility on Baby On The Way - Vancouver - Baby Products, Baby Clothing, Baby Resources, Pregnancy Forums, Baby, Babies, Newborns, Expecting Resources

People often wonder if there is a “perfect age” to have a baby. That’s a tricky question and there is no easy answer. Many parents choose to start their families earlier, in their 20s, because they believe they will have more youthful energy to meet the physical demands of childrearing. On the other hand, there are a growing number of parents who wish to postpone starting a family until their 30s and early 40s, when they are more mature, well-established, and financially secure.

While there is something to be said for both viewpoints, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada is urging women not to wait too long to become pregnant. Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have, and the quality of these eggs deteriorates over time. This could lead to fertility problems in older women, who may have to forego motherhood entirely if they wait too long.

A healthy couple at the prime reproductive age (mid-twenties) has about a 25% chance of conceiving during a given cycle. Only about half of all couples get pregnant within six months of trying, but most—85% do become pregnant within a year. Becoming pregnant is a process that takes time and couples shouldn’t assume that it would happen right away.

Fertility in women drastically decreases after the age of 35, and it could take much longer to become pregnant. As aforementioned, a woman in her 20s has a 25% chance of conceiving during any given cycle. A woman in her late 30s, however, has just an 8-10% chance of becoming pregnant.

Older women are also more likely to give birth to babies with chromosomal and other genetic abnormalities such as Down syndrome than their younger counterparts. For a 45-year old woman, for example, the chances are 1 in 21. Once pregnant, older women face other health risks and complications such as high blood pressure, placenta previa (when the placenta blocks the exit to the uterus), gestational diabetes, and premature birth. In addition, older women are more likely to conceive twins and multiples, and therefore are more at risk of complications inherent in multiple births.

This is not to say that women who wish to postpone having babies until they’re older should be disheartened. There is still a good chance of becoming pregnant and having a healthy baby. It is essential for all women who wish to have children, regardless of age, to learn more about their fertility and take steps to stay healthy for when they’re ready.

Maintaining good gynecological health is the single most important measure a woman can take to safeguard fertility. Problems should be addressed as they arise, and not neglected. These problems may include erratic menstruation, facial hair and acne, or other symptoms that could indicate hormonal imbalances and irregular ovulation.

It is also advisable to learn about any reproductive problems that may run in your family. If a close female relative has had trouble conceiving or if there’s a history of endometriosis, fibroids, early menopause, or uterine anomalies, it’s possible that you could experience these problems too. Many of these conditions can be treated, and the sooner they are dealt with, the greater the odds that you will be able to restore your fertility and start a family when the time is right.

Lastly, have yourself tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases, such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papilloma virus (HPV), herpes, HIV, and hepatitis B and C. These diseases can all be obstacles to fertility and cause other serious health problems.

When you are ready to start trying to conceive, you will discontinue using birth control. The return to natural fertility will depend on the type of birth control you are using.

The contraceptive pill (“the Pill”) stops a woman’s body from releasing an egg during ovulation. After stopping the Pill, it takes up to four weeks for the normal menstrual cycle to start up again. However, it could take many more months for the body to return to normal.

Progesterone injections provide women with about three months of contraception. Once the injections are stopped, however, it could take much longer to become fertile compared with the Pill. Normal fertility is usually restored between about eight and fifteen months.

Intrauterine devices (IUD) do not interfere with a woman’s menstrual cycle; therefore a woman should be able to conceive once the device is removed. However, recent studies show that an IUD can adversely affect fertility. The device has been linked to an increased incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease, which is a major cause of infertility in women.

Whether you’re 25 or 35, it’s important to feel emotionally prepared to have children, even if it means waiting until you’re older. While there are more potential obstacles to fertility for women in their late 30s and early 40s, there is still a very good chance that you can have a baby. The best way to take charge of your fertility is to stay healthy. Eat well, exercise, stay on top of your vaginal health, and discuss any fertility concerns with your doctor.