Women are conceiving children later and later in life. Your thirties might feel like the right time to start family-planning — maybe you're be secure in your career, in a stable relationship, or just feeling ready to have children.

While having a baby in your thirties is starting to become a popular choice for many women, biologically, it may lead to some difficulties when you're trying to conceive

Why It's Hard to Conceive After 35   What to Know   Reducing Complications

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. 

>>RELATED: Preconception Care in Your 30s: Tips For Trying To Conceive Naturally

In addition, older women have had more time to develop health issues which could create complications for conceiving and pregnancy. These health issues may include previous abdominal surgeries near the fallopian tubes or uterus, high blood pressure or diabetes, previous reproductive tract infections, or endometriosis.

What to Know About Conceiving After 35

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:

• Higher chance of miscarriage: The chance of miscarriage increases dramatically over the age of 35. 
• Higher risk of birth defects: This could be due to the declining quality of the mother’s eggs. Older eggs have a harder time dividing correctly which can lead to conditions such as Downs syndrome.
• Risk of developing high blood pressure or gestational diabetes: This can cause complications for the baby during and after pregnancy is increased.
• Increased risk of other pregnancy problems: There's an increased risk of ectopic pregnancies, placenta previa, preeclampsia, and placenta abruption.

Reducing Complications While Conceiving After 35

While the above may sound scary, there is plenty you can do to reduce the risk of these complications. 

Let Go of Stress

Your mental health can have a large impact on your physical health. As much as you can, let go of the stress and worry that you won’t be able to get pregnant. It may sound trivial, but this can act as a mental and physical block when trying to get pregnant.

Take Care of Yourself

Put your health needs first. This might include:

• Moving your body: Do exercise that gets you moving and makes you feel good.
• Eating a vitamin-rich diet: Boost your endocrine system with food full of omega-3, essential fatty acids, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B6, and fruits and vegetables high in antioxidant vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene.
• Trying supplements: Certain supplements containing myo-inositol, folic acid, and melatonin can help improve egg quality.
• Avoiding alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs: These subsances can complicate pregnancies.

>>RELATED: Boost Your Fertility Through Exercise

Track Your Fertility

Observing fertility signs can tell you a lot about your body. Using ovulation predictor kits can help identify the ideal days to conceive. Also, consider taking an at-home fertility test which screens for key elements affecting female and male fertility.

Oova's at-home fertility kit can help you track your unique hormones and get a clear picture of when you're ovulating.

Talk to Your Doctor

Schedule regular visits with your health care provider to assess your health before and during pregnancy. They can review your medical history, current medications, and overall lifestyle to come up with a plan to optimize getting pregnant.

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.

Conceiving After 35: The Bottom Line

Conceiving after 35 might be the best plan for you and your family, but it can come with some biological complications. Being aware of the complications and taking action to reduce them can help you take control of your reproductive health.