Does age really affect fertility? Is 37 too old to get pregnant? Is 44 too old to have a baby? Here’s what you need to know about the relationship between age and fertility.
Starting a family is easier said than done. This is especially true when you’re in your thirties and ready to expand your family, but your body decides to not follow through with your plans.
As per recent statistics, the fertility rate in Singapore was at its highest for women between the ages of 30 to 34 years at 86.7 per cent. Meanwhile, the fertility rate for women ages 35 to 39 is 49.4 per cent and 9.8 per cent for women ages 40 to 44.
Fertility and Age
As women age, their fertility naturally declines. This decline is primarily due to a decrease in the number and quality of eggs in the ovaries. Women are born with a finite number of eggs, and as they age, the remaining eggs tend to be of lower quality, making conception more challenging.
Additionally, hormonal changes that occur with age can affect ovulation and the timing of the menstrual cycle, further reducing the chances of conceiving. In addition, you are more likely to have developed health conditions that can affect fertility, such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis.
Risks of Getting Pregnant Later in Life
Pregnancy in one’s late thirties and beyond carries certain risks. The chances of miscarriage increase with age, and the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, also rises.
Advanced maternal age is associated with a higher likelihood of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy. Having high blood pressure before pregnancy can increase the risk of preeclampsia. Moreover, older women may have an increased chance of needing interventions during childbirth, such as caesarean sections.
Down Syndrome in Late Pregnancy
Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition characterised by an extra copy of chromosome 21. The risk of having a baby with Down syndrome increases as a woman gets older.
At age 25, the risk is approximately 1 in 1,000. By age 35, it rises to about 1 in 294 and by age 40, it becomes about 1 in 86. While the chances are still relatively low, it’s important to consider this risk when planning a pregnancy later in life.
Is it true that the older I get, the higher the risks are of conceiving a baby with birth defects?
According to Dr Janice Tung, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Accredited IVF Specialist @MBBS Singapore, this is true. But this should not stop someone from trying for a baby.
“There is no certainty in life, since even when you are young, there can be problems. Even a healthy baby may face problems later in life, such as learning difficulties and autism. Unless you do not have a baby at all, else, there is no certainty, whichever age you are,” she added.
So, don’t let the relationship between fertility and age or pregnancy and age discourage you. You may not be able to do much about your age, but you can still overcome fertility challenges in your 30s. In fact, there are even those who still manage to safely give birth in their 40s.
Image Source: iStock
How To Boost Fertility In Your Later Years
So before you start worrying about your eggs going to waste, there are still various ways for you to boost your fertility. And that of your partners’.
What should I do if I still want to get pregnant?
From maintaining a healthy lifestyle to checking in on your cycle, to reducing alcohol and maintaining a healthy body weight, we’ve listed some practical tips on how to boost fertility in your late thirties and even early forties.
1. Time to cut back on the alcohol intake
Consuming alcoholic drinks isn’t healthy for your body, anyway. This is true not just for men but equally for women. Studies have shown that excessive alcohol intake may affect sperm motility in men.
Plus, the fact that women are more susceptible to the negative aftereffects of alcohol consumption, including low fertility, its best avoided. In the meantime, you can instead indulge yourself in healthy non-alcoholic drinks such as mocktails.
2. Maintain healthy body weight
Your body weight can greatly affect your ability to conceive.
Studies show that women who are overweight with a body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m2, have a harder time getting pregnant.
And if you’re considering IVF, the rate of the blastocyst (pregnancy egg cell) formation is 22 to 23 percent lower. So maintain a healthy body weight where your BMI is lower than 29 kg/m2.
3. Find a fertility-boosting diet that works for you and your partner
Following a healthy diet has its benefits. You can choose from an array of fertility-boosting food, to start this journey. Some of these include:
- Oily fish
- Vegetables
- Garlic
- Honey
- Avocado
There are also a variety of foods you should steer clear of. These include foods that are high in sugar, saturated fats as well as fish that have a high level of mercury. These foods can lower your chances of conceiving faster.
4. Exercise with caution
Stick to non-intensive exercises when you’re trying to get pregnant. A study from the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine says that the amount of physical activity you do may affect infertility. It also adds that vigorous exercise could lead you to skip ovulation or even experience implantation failure.
There are still health benefits to physical activities, so continue doing simple exercises. Walking, cycling, and swimming are generally recommended as long as you take it slow.
Image Source: iStock
5. Change your cup of coffee a day to every other day instead
You might enjoy starting your day with a good cup of coffee but unfortunately, too much caffeine intake can be bad for your fertility rate.
Not only can it increase the risk of stillbirth, but drinking more than 300mg of coffee a day can impair fertility according to a 2017 study.
6. Regularly track your cycle
An important recommendation on how to boost fertility is to track your menstrual cycle. Keeping track of your period and knowing when you’re ovulating can help in determining when the best time to try, especially, since your cycle may be subject to shift when you reach your 30s.
Use ovulation predictor kits or tracking apps to determine your fertile window and increase the likelihood of conception.
7. Learn more about your supplements
Choosing the right supplements and herbs to take can help you with a successful conception. Minerals such as magnesium and folate can play a role in improving before and during pregnancy. Fish oil intake can also help in balancing your hormones and may result in healthy fetal development.
8. Strictly avoid smoking
Image source: iStock
You’ll find that quitting smoking will be very beneficial for your health and during your pregnancy. Smoking can cause miscarriage and stillbirth. In fact, women who smoke have to face two times the risk of infertility.
Quitting smoking and avoiding those who smoke can improve the lining of your womb and may even increase your chances of getting pregnant.
9. Make time for sex
Failing to conceive is stressful for both men and women. This is why you will both have to work a little harder, together.
This is where having sex regularly comes into play, quite literally. The more you try, the better your chances of conception. So keep at it, till you hit your goalpost.
10. Ask your partner to switch to boxers
Wearing constricting briefs is found to be harmful to your partner’s lower area as it could overheat his testes and reduce sperm production.
Have him switch to boxers instead. This way he can be more comfortable and this will eventually also improve his sperm count.
11. Relax and de-stress
It can be frustrating to keep getting a negative test. But that’s exactly what you need to avoid. Taking too much stress can impact your fertility rate. Women who experience stress even during pregnancy are found to have an increased risk of stillbirth.
So while you’re trying to conceive, make sure to give yourself time to relax and do activities that calm you down. You can also try to partake in yoga and meditation exercises to ease your worries.
12. Before anything, make sure to discuss things with your doctor
Of course, the best person to consult about your fertility will be your doctor. Schedule a preconception check-up with your OB-GYN to discuss your health history, any underlying conditions, and how to prepare for pregnancy.
You may also want to go for a fertility test, which can help you understand your current reproductive health and potential challenges.
Embryo Storage or Egg Freezing: Another Option
Image Source: iStock
If you are still in your early thirties but are not yet in the proper headspace or situation to conceive, embryo storage or egg freezing may seem like a good option if you want to delay childbearing.
Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a process in which a woman’s eggs are collected, frozen, and stored for future use. It is often done as a means of fertility preservation, allowing women to preserve their eggs when they are younger and more fertile for use in the future, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.
Here are some benefits of egg freezing in preparation for IVF, according to Dr Tung
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Preserving fertility: Egg freezing provides women with the opportunity to preserve their fertility when they are in their prime reproductive years. As women age, the quantity and quality of their eggs decline, making it more difficult to conceive. By freezing eggs at a younger age, women can increase their chances of having a biological child later in life.
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Medical conditions and treatments: Egg freezing is particularly beneficial for women who are facing medical conditions or treatments that may affect their fertility. Conditions such as cancer or autoimmune disorders, as well as treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy, can potentially harm a woman’s eggs. By freezing eggs before undergoing such treatments, women can safeguard their fertility and increase their chances of conceiving after recovery.
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Lifestyle choices: Many women choose to delay starting a family due to various personal and professional reasons. Egg freezing allows them to preserve their fertility while they focus on their careers, education, or other life goals. It provides a sense of security, knowing that they have frozen eggs available when they are ready to have children.
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Partner availability: Some women may be in a committed relationship but not yet ready to start a family due to factors such as financial stability or personal circumstances. Freezing eggs allows them to extend the window of opportunity to have a biological child with their partner by preserving their eggs until they are ready for IVF.
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Peace of mind: Egg freezing can provide emotional and psychological benefits by offering peace of mind. Women who are concerned about their future fertility may experience reduced anxiety and stress knowing that they have taken proactive steps to preserve their eggs for potential use in the future.
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Increased success rates: The success of IVF largely depends on the quality of eggs used. By freezing eggs at a younger age, when they are typically healthier and more viable, women can potentially increase their chances of successful pregnancy and childbirth when they decide to use those frozen eggs in an IVF cycle.
It’s important to note that the success of egg freezing and IVF depends on various factors, including the age at which the eggs were frozen, the number of eggs retrieved, and the overall health of the woman. Consulting with a fertility specialist can provide personalised information and guidance based on an individual’s specific circumstances.
Getting pregnant in your late thirties is becoming more common, but it’s crucial to understand the implications of age on fertility and pregnancy. While challenges may arise, with proper preparation and support, many women can have successful and healthy pregnancies later in life.
Talk to other women who have experienced pregnancy in their late thirties and join support groups to share experiences and knowledge. Finally, always consult with a healthcare provider for personalised advice and guidance on your unique journey to motherhood.
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
