Getting pregnant is one of the most exciting events in a woman’s life. Age is a crucial factor when you are trying to get pregnant. Couples delay their pregnancy for various reasons, including career, financial stability, etc. However, age is a critical factor for getting pregnant. Couples who delay their pregnancy suffer from fertility issues due to their age. So, pregnancy and age are closely related. Fertility issues due to age are common in both men and women. Women in their mid-30s face a decline in their fertility, and men above 45 years of age suffer from fertility issues. The risk of pregnancy complications is high for couples who conceive late. Continue reading to learn in detail about how age affects your fertility.
Women over 35 years face problems conceiving as their egg quantity drops. This is because women are born with a certain number of eggs, which decreases every time they ovulate after puberty. So, by the time you reach your mid-30s, the egg count drops, making it difficult to get pregnant naturally. There is only a 5% chance of getting pregnant for women over 40 years of age. The possibility of miscarriage is also higher in case of late pregnancy. It is unlikely for women over 45 years of age to get pregnant. So, the best pregnancy age for females is the late 20s and early 30s.
Men over 45 years of age face fertility issues as sperm quality decreases as they age. There are high chances of sperm DNA damage for aged men, resulting in birth complications. The semen volume, sperm mobility and sperm count are reduced as men age. The conception rate is 30% less for men aged over 40 years.
Delays Your Pregnancy: The chance of getting pregnant is less for women over 35 and men over 45.
Chance of Multiple Pregnancy is High: It is common for aged couples to conceive twins or triplets. As you age, there are more chances for release of two or more eggs due to hormonal changes. This results in multiple pregnancies.
Risk of Gestational Diabetes: Women over 35 years are likely to suffer from gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Risk of High Blood Pressure: There are high chances of blood pressure during pregnancy for women over 35 years.
Risk of Premature Birth: You may deliver the baby early when you get pregnant late. So, the chance of premature birth is high as you age.
Chance of C-section is High: Women over the age of 35 years deliver their babies mostly through C-section.
Risk of Miscarriage and Still Birth: The risk of losing your baby after birth and miscarriage is common with late pregnancy.
Risk of Chromosomal Disorder: When you conceive late, there are chances that you deliver your babies with Down syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities.
It is always safe to conceive during the pregnancy age limit and avoid any risks or complications.
It is possible to get pregnant at an older age with recent medical advancements in the healthcare industry. Explore the fertility procedures that help you conceive in advanced maternal age.
Intrauterine insemination(IUI): It is a process where the sperm is inserted into the uterus. Quality sperms are used for this process. This increases the chance of conception.
In-Virto Fertilisation: This is an advanced fertility treatment where the egg and sperm are collected and fertilised in a laboratory setting. During the process, medications are provided to improve the quality of eggs. The fertilised embryo is then inserted into the uterus for implantation.
Egg and Sperm Freezing: Couples who wish to get pregnant at a later stage can opt for freezing their egg and sperm. The stored eggs and sperm can be used for fertility treatment.
Here are some valuable tips if you are trying to conceive in your advanced maternal age:
● Consult Your Gynaecologist: When you try to conceive at your advanced maternal age, consult your gynaecologist to assess your health condition. Your doctor may devise a fertility plan to increase the chance of conception.
● Adapt a healthy lifestyle: Lifestyle changes impact fertility. It is possible to deliver a healthy baby when you practice a healthy lifestyle.
● Eat a highly nutritious diet: Couples who try to conceive late must eat a nutritious and balanced diet to increase the chance of conception. A diet that provides all the essential nutrients and vitamins can avoid the risk of miscarriage.
● Exercise regularly: Staying active is important if you're trying to conceive at an advanced maternal age. Practice simple exercises like walking, jogging, swimming, etc., to keep your body fit and healthy.
● Never skip your prenatals: Additional supplements provide the essential vitamins for a healthy pregnancy. So never forget to take your prenatal during pregnancy.
● Go for prenatal testing: Prenatal testing helps you figure out chromosomal abnormalities in women and men who try to conceive at an older age.
● Quit smoking and alcohol: It is a must to quit smoking and avoid alcohol when you are trying to conceive. These habits can increase the risk of pregnancy complications.
The age factors increase the odds of getting pregnant. Trying to conceive at an older age not only delays your pregnancy but also increases the risk of pregnancy complications. Your fertility specialist can recommend you with a fertility plan to conceive at an older age. Assisted reproductive technologies like IUI, IVF, etc, can help you get pregnant in your advanced maternal age.
For women, the age limit for getting pregnant is between the late teens and 45 years. There is no age limit to getting pregnant in men, but men over 45 years of age face a decline in sperm quality.
Women of 37 years are not old enough to have a baby, but delivering a baby after 35 years is called advanced maternal age. There are chances of pregnancy risks and complications.
