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Conceiving after 35

Conception is a process by which a male sperm fertilizes a female egg. However, a pregnancy will not occur unless this fertilized egg implants (attaches) to the uterine wall. If every piece of this puzzle doesn’t occur exactly as it should, then it can become very difficult for a woman to become pregnant. One of the most common issues with conception in women is age.

Why does age have such a big impact on conception?
Age is such a big factor because a woman’s age is directly proportionate to the amount and quality of eggs that are produced.

Taking a closer look at some of the statistics surrounding age and fertility will provide a clearer picture of why:

  • Women are born with eggs, they are not made later in life and the amount of eggs that women are born with, are all the eggs that she will ever have.
  • Typically women are born with over one million eggs.
  • By the time a woman reaches puberty, these one million eggs are now just a mere 300,000.
  • Of these 300,000 only a miniscule number (about 300) will ever become mature and subsequently released during ovulation.
  • As a woman ages, the amount of cervical fluid that her body produces decreases, which can also impact fertility.
  • Libido also decreases with age thereby decreasing the frequency that a couple engages in sex.

Is there anything that can be done to increase the chances of conceiving after 35?
Yes! Although the statistics regarding conception after 35 years of age are grim and rather disappointing, it is possible to get pregnant later in life. Here are 6 things you can do to aid in the conception process:

1. Be patient. The amount of time it takes for a woman over 35 to conceive is much longer than that of a woman in her 20′s. It is estimated that it can take one to two years to conceive. So it is important to be patient and to stay positive.

2. Consult with your doctor. Schedule a pre-conception appointment with your doctor so that you can discuss your medical history, current medications, lifestyle, diet, and menstrual cycles to determine what problems you may be facing and any changes that need to be made to help you become pregnant.

3. Avoid lubricants during sexual intercourse.

4. Keep track of when you will be ovulating and plan to have sex during those times.

5. Live a healthy life. Eating a well balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding risky substances such as alcohol and recreational drugs are all great ways to boost your fertility.

6. Have sex everyday. Sperm can live inside a woman for 24 – 48 hours so the more often you engage in sexual intercourse, the more sperm you wil have in your body waiting to fertilize an egg.

The Numbers Don’t Lie:

  • One in ten Australian mothers are turning 35 years old before conceiving their first child.
  • In Australia, the average age for first time conception is 30.2 years of age.
  • The number of woman giving birth over the age of 30 has doubled within the past 25 years.
  • Women aged 30 – 34 is now the highest birth rate group.
  • 35 to 39 year old women are having more babies than women aged 20 to 24.
  • Women 35 and older have only a 10 to 15 percent chance of conception in any given month.
  • At age 40, the chance of conception is only 5% and after age 45 the odds drop to 1%.