When you decide to start a family, it's an exciting, yet somewhat nerve-wracking, time. As you consider pregnancy, it's important to be well-informed about factors like age that can influence your fertility, as well as your pregnancy.
What is the Best Age to Get Pregnant?
A woman's fertility isn't constant throughout her life. Aging ovaries and eggs can have a direct link to the chances of getting pregnant.
A woman's body is most fertile from the late teens through the 20s. Although many women in their 30s and older can conceive naturally, as time passes, the quantity and quality of eggs in the ovaries begin to decline. By the time a woman reaches her mid-30s to 40 years of age, this decline increases significantly. By the age 45, the chances of conceiving naturally are very low. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, one in four women will get pregnant during any given menstrual cycle during their 20s and 30s. Only about one in 10 will get pregnant per menstrual cycle by age 40.
How Exactly Does Age Affect a Woman's Eggs and Ovulation?
A woman is born with a finite number of eggs in her ovaries. These eggs formed when she was a fetus in her own mother's womb. As a woman's eggs age, they become more prone to chromosomal abnormalities, which can increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects. Additionally, the overall number of eggs decline as women age.
The ovulation process can also be affected by the natural changes in hormones during the aging process. Hormonal shifts and imbalances can disrupt the ovulation cycle, leading to irregular or even absent periods. This can make the timing for conception more challenging.
At What Age Should a Woman Consult a Fertility Specialist?
While every person and couple's situation is different, we recommend seeking help from a fertility specialist if you are younger than 35 and haven't been able to conceive after one year of unprotected sex, or are age 35 or older and have not gotten pregnant after six months of trying. If you are 40 years of age or older, you can see a fertility specialist to discuss options even when you start trying to get pregnant.
A consultation with a fertility specialist is also recommended sooner than these guidelines if:
- You have irregular menstrual cycles
- You have a history or risk of damaged or blocked fallopian tubes
- You have a history of early menopause
- You or your partner has a problem with sexual function or libido
- You are an LGBTQ+ couple or individual
Are There Risks of Getting Pregnant When You Are Older?
Short answer? Yes. But it's important to remember even with increased risk of complications and—let's face it—a somewhat unflattering label of "advanced maternal age," countless women successfully conceive and have healthy pregnancies well into their 30s and even 40s.
If you become pregnant after the age of 35, the risk of possible complications during pregnancy rises, including higher rates of:
- Miscarriage
- Genetic disorders
- High blood pressure/preeclampsia
- Gestational diabetes
- Premature birth
- Multiple pregnancy
- C-section
However, try not to let these risk factors worry you. Your care team will keep a close eye on you and your baby's health as you progress throughout your pregnancy. Working to optimize your own health prior to conception can also help to decrease your risk.
How Does Pregnancy Care Differ When You Are Older?
Overall, your routine pregnancy care likely will not differ much from other pregnant people. However, depending on your health history your pregnancy may be managed by a maternal-fetal medicine specialist who cares for higher-risk pregnancies.
Pregnancies of advanced maternal age may have more frequent prenatal visits, receive earlier tests (such as the glucose screening test), or more frequent ultrasounds to check on baby. Your provider may also recommend genetic screening to understand whether there is a chance that your baby may have a genetic condition.
Can I Lower the Risk of Pregnancy Complications if I Am Older?
If you are older than 35 and pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, there are steps you can take to potentially lower your risk for complications, including:
- Optimizing your health prior to becoming pregnant and discussing any medications you are taking with your provider
- Getting up to date with all preventive care (and review any family history concerns with your provider)
- Taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and sufficient sleep
- Quitting smoking and/or using alcohol products
- Staying in a healthy weight range
- Practicing mindfulness techniques to manage stress and anxiety
- Receiving early and regular prenatal care
As you begin the journey to try to conceive, remember that you're not alone. The path to motherhood is unique for everyone, and age is just one factor among many that contribute to your story. While age can impact fertility, remember there are steps you can take to enhance your chances of success. For a consultation with a Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health fertility specialist, visit Penn Fertility Care - Lancaster General Health or call 717-544-0107.