Since the risk of these medical conditions is higher in the late 30s and through the 40s, it’s likely that your doctor will advise extra monitoring and testing. These diagnoses can increase the possibility of complications in pregnancy such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. For example, certain medical conditions are more common in women over 35 including high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. One other factor that can affect pregnancy is other health concerns that correspond with age. Since the quality of the egg has a direct impact on the health of the pregnancy, it’s important to evaluate age and egg quality if you are considering pregnancy. As with any other cell in the body, eggs are subject to damage over the years, which can make them “abnormal.” So, the older a woman is, the lower likelihood that she ovulates a healthy egg. With age, there are more genetically abnormal eggs coming from the ovaries. In other words, the egg needs to be genetically sound – with no cellular damage. Then it can be ready for fertilization and be good enough quality to begin life. Certain lifestyle factors can increase damage to the eggs, such as smoking.įor conception to occur, an egg needs to ovulate so it moves from the ovary and down the fallopian tube. This process is degenerative in nature and happens regardless of the normalcy of menstrual cycles or the use of birth control. The majority of the eggs go through a process known as Atresia. Through the reproductive years, most women only ovulate around 300 eggs. Women and men are different in this way because a man continues producing sperm, but women have a limited number of eggs available. By age 37, only about 25,000 of those eggs are left. Only about 300,000 eggs remain when a girl reaches puberty. Most women begin life with about 1 million eggs in their ovarian reserve. Keep in mind that women are born with all the eggs they will have. Most women in their mid-40s are no longer able to have a successful pregnancy, but the average age of menopause doesn’t occur until about 51. Also, keep in mind that it is a misconception that women are fertile until menopause. For more information, read How do I know if I’m fertile?Įven though natural fertility peaks in the early 20s, many women have healthy, successful pregnancies in their 30s and 40s. Getting pregnant at any age can be complicated, depending on your unique health concerns and situation.

Most women have good quality eggs in their 20s, which increases the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. During these years, women are most fertile and pregnancy risks are the lowest. The best chance for getting pregnant is in your 20s.

Instead, you need to consider your personal situation and consult with a doctor if you need support with family planning. It is natural for fertility to decline with age, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a baby later in life. At the same time, many couples are facing issues with infertility. Over the years, the average age of parenthood has increased. We live in a time when contraception is widely available, giving couples more control to decide when they want to start their family. Not only do you need to decide if you are ready to become a parent, but it’s also important to know that fertility can be affected by age. What is the best age to get pregnant? If you are thinking about starting a family (or adding to your current family), then many factors need to be considered to determine if it’s the right time.

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