The peak of fertility for women is from the end of adolescence to the end of their 20s. The modern woman has more opportunities than ever for personal development, therefore very often the birth of the first child is postponed until after some successes have been achieved (career, education, travel)
By the age of 30, fertility begins to decline. This decline becomes more noticeable around the age of 35. By age 45, fertility has dropped so much that natural conception is unlikely for most women.
AGE AND OVARIAN RESERVE
Women are born with a fixed number of eggs in their ovaries, and the ovarian reserve decreases with age. In a normally ovulating woman, one or more of these eggs mature each month under the influence of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone). Several hundred more begin to mature, but become atretic and “die” every month. As you grow older, the quality of the eggs decreases.
WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF GETTING PREGNANT?
The chance of a woman aged 20-30 to get pregnant within one menstrual cycle is about 25%. This statistic applies if the couple does not suffer from fertility issues. By the age of 40, about 1 in 10 women will become pregnant during within one menstrual cycle. Male fertility also decreases with age, but not as predictably.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF A LATE PREGNANCY?
It’s no secret that late pregnancy is a riskier for complications. For example, pregnant women over the age of 40 have an increased risk of preeclampsia, a common and dangerous hypertensive disorder.
Older people suffer from more chronic diseases in general, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Pregnancy can exacerbate these conditions, which can have negative consequences for both the mother and the fetus. Gynecological problems such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis are also more common.
The risks of miscarriage and preterm birth are higher in women over the age of 35. In addition, multiple pregnancies are more common in older women than in younger ones. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that the ovaries more often release more than one egg during ovulation.
Every woman has the right to choose when to become a mother. If you are worried that your age may prevent you from becoming pregnant, talk to your obstetrician-gynecologist. They will give you the most competent advice about your case.