Exactly how hard is it to get pregnant after the age of 35, and should you keep your hopes up? Instead, what happens is that your fertility begins to drop gradually from your late 20s.
The rate of decline speeds up once you get to 32 , and then it speeds up again at about age By the time you reach the age of 40, your fertility has dropped significantly.
Here are some statistics to explain things more clearly. One large study looked at pregnancy rates for women if they have sexual intercourse on their most fertile day. It found that:. Another way of calculating fertility is by tracking how long it takes for a woman to conceive and give birth.
Using this method, it was estimated that:. The risk of a baby with serious birth defects, which might lead you to consider an abortion, also rises over the age of This is mainly because as you age, the quality of your eggs drops as well as the quantity. Embryos: The stage of prenatal development that starts at fertilization joining of an egg and sperm and lasts up to 8 weeks.
Endometriosis: A condition in which tissue that lines the uterus is found outside of the uterus, usually on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other pelvic structures. Fetus: The stage of human development beyond 8 completed weeks after fertilization. Fibroids: Growths that form in the muscle of the uterus. Fibroids usually are noncancerous.
Folic Acid: A vitamin that reduces the risk of certain birth defects when taken before and during pregnancy. High Blood Pressure: Blood pressure above the normal level. Also called hypertension. A menstrual cycle is defined as the first day of menstrual bleeding of one cycle to the first day of menstrual bleeding of the next cycle.
Neural Tube Defects NTDs : Birth defects that result from a problem in development of the brain, spinal cord, or their coverings. Ovaries: Organs in women that contain the eggs necessary to get pregnant and make important hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Preeclampsia: A disorder that can occur during pregnancy or after childbirth in which there is high blood pressure and other signs of organ injury.
These signs include an abnormal amount of protein in the urine, a low number of platelets, abnormal kidney or liver function, pain over the upper abdomen, fluid in the lungs, or a severe headache or changes in vision. Prenatal Care: A program of care for a pregnant woman before the birth of her baby.
Screening Tests: Tests that look for possible signs of disease in people who do not have signs or symptoms. Uterus: A muscular organ in the female pelvis.
During pregnancy, this organ holds and nourishes the fetus. Also called the womb. Vaccines: Substances that help the body fight disease. Vaccines are made from very small amounts of weak or dead agents that cause disease bacteria, toxins, and viruses.
Copyright by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved. Read copyright and permissions information. This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. It offers current information and opinions related to women's health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care.
It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. The risk of having a pregnancy affected by Down syndrome is 1 in 1, at age 20 1 in at age 30 1 in at age 35 1 in 85 at age 40 1 in 35 at age Learn about tests that look for genetic disorders : Prenatal screening tests assess the risk that a pregnancy will be affected by a specific birth defect or genetic disorder.
Diagnostic Tests: Tests that look for a disease or cause of a disease. Genetic Disorders: Disorders caused by a change in genes or chromosomes. Miscarriage: Loss of a pregnancy that is in the uterus. Multiple Pregnancy: A pregnancy where there are two or more fetuses. Preterm: Less than 37 weeks of pregnancy. Sperm: A cell made in the male testicles that can fertilize a female egg. Stillbirth: Birth of a dead fetus. Article continues below Advertisement.
If you have further questions, contact your ob-gyn. Don't have an ob-gyn? Search for doctors near you. Learn About the Book. Find an Ob-Gyn Search for doctors near you. Curtis, Glade B. Trying to Conceive After Age What are the challenges when trying to conceive after age 35? Other reasons conceiving after 35 may be more difficult include: Infection or surgery that caused scar tissue around the fallopian tubes or cervix Endometriosis Fibroids or uterine disorders A decrease in cervical fluid Chronic health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes Miscarriage is also more common in women over How can I increase my chances of conception?
Here are some things to remember: Schedule a pre-conception appointment — You and your health care provider can review your medical history, current medications and overall lifestyle. This gives you the opportunity to address any concerns about trying to conceive after age Women over age 35 take longer to conceive — The average time it takes a couple over 35 to conceive is years, so try to remain positive if you do not become pregnant immediately.
A woman who is physically, mentally and emotionally healthy is more likely to conceive — Alcohol , smoking , and caffeine can negatively affect fertility. Being overweight or underweight can also affect fertility by interfering with hormone function.
Observing your fertility signs can tell you a lot about your body — Recording your basal body temperature and cervical fluid can help you pinpoint the best time to have intercourse while trying to conceive.
These fertility signs can also reveal if you are ovulating regularly. Becoming familiar with your fertility will also help you determine whether you are experiencing signs and symptoms of pregnancy. This often gives couples peace of mind as they move through the journey to conceive.
If you have not conceived after 6 months, contact your health care provider to discuss the possibility of fertility testing. You may decide to consult a fertility specialist at this time. Consider a supplement containing Myo-inositol to help improve egg quality.
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