Have you decided to delay having a family? You’re not alone - statistics have shown that more women than ever are waiting until they’re 35-39 to have their first baby.
Now fertility specialists are warning that those who do put off having a family are putting themselves at risk of ‘age-related infertility’. So what is it, and could you find yourself infertile when you do decide to have a family?
The fact is that women’s fertility is not infinite, and it does decline once you hit your 30s and even more so from age 35. So waiting until you’re older could leave you exposed to needing infertility treatment to help you have a family. But even then, it’s important to realise that success rates from infertility treatment are typically lower if you’re an older woman.
And this is simply because the quality of your eggs declines as you age. At Manchester Fertility, we see many couples who have successfully had a child naturally, but who are struggling to have a second baby – known as ‘secondary infertility’. There are many reasons for this but often, it’s because the couple has waited a few years before trying again and because the woman’s eggs aren’t as good in quality as when they first got pregnant, they’re having trouble conceiving.
Can age-related infertility be avoided? Some women, such as those who haven’t yet found the right partner to have a family with, are choosing to freeze their eggs to help preserve their fertility. By freezing their eggs now, they can decide to use them to conceive at a later date, whenever the time might be right. Other women are deciding not to leave it to chance and are having children on their own with the use of donor sperm.
But more than anything, it’s important to be fertility aware. Knowing your fertility status now can help you plan accordingly. Our Fertility MOT is a series of comprehensive fertility tests which will tell you how fertile you are, and if there are any issues, which you may not be aware of, which could prevent you conceiving naturally.
This way, you can be prepared for when you do decide to start a family. Whether that’s in the near future, a number of years from now, with a partner or on your own. However you want to have your family, remember we are here to help you every step of the way. Read more about treatment options for older women and our guide for single women.
Last updated: 20th January 2020