Prepare for Pregnancy: 10 Tips Everyone Can Follow
Starting a family is an exciting journey! You will most likely do a lot of research about conception, think about baby names, and even start...
Women are conceiving children later and later in life. The thirties seem to be the time when women are secure in their careers and have stable relationships, and want to start family-planning. While this seems like a sensible course of action, biologically, it can lead to many difficulties when trying to conceive.
Why is it hard to conceive after 35?
Per the American Pregnancy Association, the fundamental reason women have trouble conceiving at later ages is that they ovulate less frequently. As a woman ages, her supply of eggs begins to decrease in quantity and quality. This means that she may not always release an egg during her monthly cycle. If no egg is released, there is nothing available to fertilize, therefore delaying conception.
In addition, older women have had more time to develop health issues which could create complications for conceiving and pregnancy. These health issues include previous abdominal surgeries near the fallopian tubes or uterus, high blood pressure or diabetes, previous reproductive tract infections, or endometriosis.
What should you keep in mind?
Given the above difficulties, it should come as no surprise that women over the age of 35 take longer to conceive. The average time for a couple over 35 to conceive is one to two years. There are other considerations to keep in mind if you are trying to conceive at a later age:
What can you do to increase your chances of conceiving?
While the above may sound scary, there is plenty you can do to reduce the risk of these complications.
The most important point is if you haven’t conceived within 6 months, don’t be disheartened! Consult with a fertility specialist who will be able to discuss several options to assist you in your journey to growing your family.