Fertility After Age 35

Many women end up trying to start a family (or add to their family) after the age of 35. While this would have been considered dangerous as recently as a few decades ago, considering pregnancy after age 35 is now a growing trend.

In fact, the birth rate for women ages 20 to 34 has decreased in recent years, while birth rates for women in their late 30s to mid-40s has increased.

The reasons for delaying motherhood are myriad: career, financial concerns, family obligations and finding the right partner are just some of the more common reasons that women may put off pregnancy. And, thanks to modern medical care, many women over age 35 experience normal pregnancies and deliver healthy, full-term babies.

But what happens if you wait until age 35 only to find out that you’re unable to get pregnant? Now your “biological clock” is ticking away – but time is no longer on your side!

In this article Austin fertility expert Doctor Ruthie Harper discusses the issues surrounding pregnancy after age 35.

Fertility Declines After 30

Many women are able to become pregnant naturally – without planning or fertility assistance – after the age of 35. But overall, woman’s reproductive years peak between her late teens and late 20s. And her ability to become pregnant begins to decline around the age of 30 and continues to diminish every year thereafter until she reaches menopause.

In healthy heterosexual couples in their 20s and early 30s, around 25% will get pregnant in any single menstrual cycle during which they are having regular, unprotected intercourse. However, by the age of 40, only about 1 in 10 of such women will get pregnant per menstrual cycle.

It is also important to note that men’s fertility also declines with age, but not as dramatically or predictably.

Why Fertility Declines After Age 30

At birth a woman’s ovaries have all the eggs she will ever have — somewhere between 1 million and 2 million. But by puberty, half of these eggs will already be gone. As a woman gets older, the number of eggs she has continues to decline. Additionally, eggs age just like women do – and older eggs don’t fertilize as easily as younger ones.

Also as women age, they are at a higher risk of medical conditions that can negatively affect fertility, such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis.

When to See a Fertility Doctor After Age 35

If a woman is over age 35 and hasn’t become pregnant after six months of “trying” (engaging in unprotected intercourse), she should seek medical advice from a natural fertility expert she can trust, like Dr. Ruthie Harper in Austin, TX.

An experienced fertility doctor like Ruthie Harper, MD can help you understand the special considerations that might apply to women over age 35. And she can help you take steps to have the best chance of getting pregnant naturally and having a healthy baby in your thirties.

Steps to Fertility After Age 35

Overall Health & Fertility After Age 35

As a women gets older she tends to have more health problems than she did when she was younger. And these medical conditions can affect both fertility and the success of pregnancy. For example, high blood pressure is more common in women over 30 – which can increase the risk of preeclampsia.

A woman can improve her chances of conceiving and having a normal pregnancy and a healthy baby by working with a fertility expert like Dr. Harper to identify and manage any underlying health issues that could interfere with fertility. Treating chronic medical conditions like high blood pressure, and diabetes and being checked for any sexually transmitted infections) can improve fertility as well as pregnancy.

The earlier you pursue medical advice and begin steps to improve fertility, the greater your chances of achieving pregnancy. And if you have known medical conditions that could possibly interfere with natural conception, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids, seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Lifestyle & Fertility After Age 35

If you’re considering pregnancy after age 35, schedule a pre-pregnancy visit with Dr. Harper or your provider to discuss your diet, lifestyle, weight, and other factors that are under your control.

Also, both you and your partner should live as healthy of a lifestyle as possible to improve the chances of conception. You should both:

quit smoking and avoid passive smoking
maintain a healthy weight
avoid alcohol
eat a diet that is optimal for fertility
take vitamins & supplements that support natural fertility

Natural Fertility for Women Over Age 35 | Austin, TX

Remember infertility and complications with pregnancy and childbirth can occur at any age. And a pregnancy after age 35 is classified as a high-risk pregnancy because the risks are higher, but not inevitable.

Dr. Harper has more than twenty years of natural fertility experience in Austin, TX, helping women over age 35 achieve health, wellness and balance to become pregnant and achieve their dream of growing a family.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ruthie Harper and earn more about getting pregnant and having a healthy baby after age 35.

FERTILITY BLOG

Thank you for visiting our Blog, where Dr. Harper keeps you updated on the latest treatments, technologies and information in the field of natural fertility medicine.

Dr. Ruthie Harper opened her internationally recognized medical practice in Austin, Texas, in 1999. Since that time, she has consulted with more than 10,000 patients, offering the most advanced techniques in natural, holistic and integrative health and wellness.

Check back often for new and informative articles, as well as special offers and exciting events. Or call us today to schedule your fertility consultation … and take the first step toward having the family of your dreams!

Fertility After Age 35

Fertility After Age 35