Is it REALLY that hard to get pregnant after 35?

Not sure what to believe? Here's what you need to know about your fertility

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We're constantly being told that a woman's fertility declines after the age of 30 and that by the time she reaches 45 her chances of getting pregnant is next to none. However, what you might not be hearing is that when a woman is in her mid-30s, she still has a 78% chance of getting pregnant within the year. Despite this, data from WhatClinic shows that 52% of IVF searches are actually among women aged 25-34. Are women worrying prematurely about their fertility?

Professor Adam Balen, Chair of the British Fertility Society says the age women are choosing to enter motherhood has changed drastically over the past few decades:

"We know that women are having babies later in life, recent ONS statistics showed that there were 15.2 live births per 1,000 women aged 40 and over in 2015 compared to 14.5 for those aged under 20. This trend has occurred over the last few decades and is down to a range of social, professional and financial reasons."

Once the decision is made to enter motherhood, regardless of why it might be slightly later in life, having the best possible chance of conceiving will probably be high on her a woman's list of priorities. We spoke to Professor Ellis Downes, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at The Portland Hospital for Women and Children to find out exactly what women over 35 need to know about their fertility and what factors are most likely to influence their chance of starting (or continuing) their family.

Pressures on women to have children before 35

"There is no ideal time to have a baby. As a gynaecologist for over 25 years, I am aware of the tensions between careers, relationships and age. A woman's fertility declines when she gets older, so all things considered it is generally better to have children sooner rather than later. Happily with modern investigations women can have a general fertility assessment, which gives them the opportunities of deciding when to think about starting a family."

Nutrition

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As with most elements of an individual's health, nutrition and diet plays an integral role in making sure everything works as it should. For example, excess sugar can not only make you gain weight, but is also linked to causing inflammation in the womb which can make it harder to conceive.

"Doctors are increasing their understanding of the effect of nutrition on fertility. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is important to allow optimal ovulation to take place. If patients are overweight, this can affect insulin sensitivity, reducing the likelihood of ovulation. Folic acid, found in vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and asparagus, is important to take before conception."

To give your fertility that extra bit of help, stock up on foods rich in anti-oxidants (e.g. berries, nuts, spinach) as well as probiotics to keep your gut-bacteria happy. 

Emotional wellbeing

"The link between emotional wellbeing and fertility is poorly understood, but every gynaecologist will try to encourage patients who are anxious about getting pregnant to try to be as relaxed as possible to optimise ovulation. The higher parts of the brain - our emotional centres - link to the pituitary gland, which secretes hormones controlling the ovaries, leading to ovulation. Being as relaxed as possible, which is not always easy, will certainly increase the chances of pregnancy."

While the direct effect of mental health on fertility is not yet known, a 2014 study in Human Reproduction found that women with high levels of two specific stress biomarkers were twice as likely to be at risk of infertility. It's a vicious cycle really; the more you worry about your fertility, the more it might be negatively affecting it. However, communicating your concerns with both your doctor and your partner is important for easing the stress and tackling any obstacles that might arise.

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What tests should women consider?

All of the searches for 'fertility test' carried out in 2015 through WhatClinic were by women aged 25-44, with 61% among those under 34 years old. It's wise to know exactly how to find out where you are in terms of your chances of conceiving to help you plan properly. According to Professor Downes, the key tests women that should consider when wanting to further their understanding of own fertility are:

  1. A pelvic ultrasound to check the uterus and ovaries.
  2. Ovulation assessment which is done by a scan or blood test.
  3. Checking the Fallopian tubes are not blocked, by an X-Ray, a scan or less often a surgical procedure known as a laparoscopy.
  4. We now are able to check how many eggs a woman has left in her ovary by performing a specialist scan, or a hormone blood test known as AMH - anti-Mullerian hormone. These results can be very helpful helping a woman decide when she wants to conceive.

    If you think you may have a problem with your fertility then please see your GP straight away and tests can be performed on you and your partner and a referral made to your local fertility specialist.

    Social Media Editor Psychology graduate turned digital marketer.
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