What Is The Best Age To Get Pregnant?

Are you wondering about the best age to get pregnant? There is no definite answer, as it solely depends on you and your partner. Also, the other essential factor that affects your pregnancy is your ovulation period. So understanding your ovulation time is vital as it helps indicate the right time to achieve successful conception. 

According to experts, fertility declines with age; hence, conceiving anytime between your 20s and early 30s has the best outcomes for you and your baby. However, with the advancement of medical science, women can carry and deliver a healthy baby later in age. 

If you are curious about how to get pregnant faster, read on! We tell you all about factors affecting the chances of conception, the best age for pregnancy, and when to seek help.

Before Your 20s

• This might not be the ideal time for most women, but it is still the most fertile age.
• Women usually have lower weight during this time, thus making it easy for them to manage pregnancy weight.
• At this age, there is an increased risk of urinary infections, hypertensive pregnancy disorders, premature rupture of fetal membranes, and abortion.
• Women may find it difficult to emotionally and physically cope with pregnancy concerns.
• Parents may face financial problems while raising a child at this age.

In Your 20s

• During this age, the fertility rate is high, and it is considered easier to get pregnant now than later.
• The chances of having a low-risk pregnancy and delivering a healthy baby are the highest due to peak fertility for most women.
• Women have sufficient energy to cope with the tough phases of pregnancy and are less likely to experience chronic conditions.
• Regaining pre-pregnancy weight during this age is easier.
• Finances could still be a burden since most couples are still settling into their careers or repaying educational loans.

In Your 30s

• Once you hit your 30s, your fertility might start declining due to the decreasing quality and quantity of ovum. The risk of aneuploidy (the condition of having an abnormal number of chromosomes) may increase too.
• The risk of gestational diabetes, blood pressure, and difficult labour increases.
• Your fertility starts to decline considerably after the age of 35.
• You may require fertility treatments in your late 30s.
• The success of fertility assistance treatments like stimulators for ovulation and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) might come down too.
• The chances of conceiving twins are higher, since hormonal variations in older women may lead to the release of multiple eggs.
• The risk of chromosomal abnormalities and miscarriage is high, especially after the age of 35.
• At this time, couples are financially independent and have stable relationships, making them more committed to parenthood. 

In Your 40s

• The chances of conceiving naturally decline in the 40s.
• There is a greater risk of experiencing pregnancy complications, such as diabetes, placental problems, preeclampsia, preterm labour, miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, and low birth weight.
• The chances of having a c-section surgery are higher.
• At this age, pregnancy needs to be carefully managed and may require additional tests like chorionic villi sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis to screen for abnormalities like Down syndrome in the baby.
• Despite the risks, you can still have a healthy pregnancy during your 40s, provided you pay special care to your lifestyle and address health issues promptly.

Fertility Options to Help You Conceive

If you are 35 or older, and have been unable to conceive, even after trying for the past six months, then chances are, you may be dealing with fertility issues. A fertility specialist or your healthcare provider can help determine this condition and recommend fertility-assisted treatments to help you conceive.

Your doctor may suggest assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like medications to stimulate egg production or in vitro fertilisation (IVF) to improve your pregnancy chances. But keep in mind that the success of these methods may decline with increasing age. 

What to Do If You Want to Postpone Your Pregnancy?

If you want to postpone your pregnancy, you have the option of freezing your eggs and using them later for conception. 

For this process, you will have to take hormonal medications to increase your egg production. Then your eggs are retrieved and frozen, they can stay frozen for several years. When you are ready to use them, the eggs will be thawed and injected with your partner’s sperm for fertilisation. After this, the resulting embryos are planted in your uterus.

Does Age Affect Male Fertility As Well?

Yes, men experience a decrease in fertility with age. Their sperm count, volume, and motility are usually affected after the age of 40. Moreover, the sperm cells of older men are more likely to cause genetic and chromosomal abnormalities in the baby. 

However, this doesn’t mean that a man cannot become a parent in his 40s and beyond. It just might be a little more difficult than it was at a younger age.

Tips to Improve Fertility In Both Men And Women

Follow these steps to improve your fertility and increase your chances of pregnancy:

• Consume a balanced and healthy diet with essential nutrients for improved fertility.
• Don’t panic as it can affect your mind and body.
• Go for regular health checkups to determine your health and diagnose any underlying condition that might be affecting your chances of getting pregnant.
• Exercise moderately. A healthy body produces essential hormones for improving fertility.
• Cut down on obesity as it is not healthy and affects your health and fertility rate.

Conclusion

Be it in your 20s or 40s, the best age to get pregnant depends on your health, personal choice, and economic status. So take time to discuss with your partner when you want to embrace parenthood, and start focusing on your health to prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy. 

Also read:

Best fertility drugs for women: Try to improve your pregnancy chances? Check out this list of medications that help boost your fertility and stimulate your ovaries to produce more eggs.

Female infertility: Learn the symptoms and risk factors of female infertility and the right time to seek help from your doctor.

When to take a pregnancy test: Tap this post to know the best time to take a pregnancy test and tips to confirm accuracy.

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