Many individuals wonder about the ideal age to conceive and have a safe delivery. While there is no definitive answer to how old is "too old" to get pregnant, age does play a role in fertility and pregnancy outcomes. However, it's also important to note that each person's reproductive journey is unique, and factors such as overall health and individual circumstances also play significant roles, as per the opinion of an infertility specialist in Kolkata.
Let's discuss this in detail.
When is the right time to conceive?
As women age, their fertility naturally declines due to a decrease in the number and quality of eggs. Additionally, the risk of certain pregnancy complications increases with advancing age. These complications may include gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, chromosomal abnormalities (such as Down syndrome) and an increased likelihood of requiring a caesarean section.
Research indicates that a fertile 30-year-old woman has approximately a 20% chance of getting pregnant during each menstrual cycle. However, by the age of 40, those chances drop to around 5%.
Eggs make up a majority of the embryo quantity and the chances of successful embryo implantation are also influenced by age. Well-known experts of the best infertility clinic in Kolkata said that as compared to a 25-year-old, a 35-year-old woman or older has a lower potential for embryo implantation and pregnancy.
Couples in their 20s and early 30s who are in good health, approximately 1 out of 4 women will become pregnant in a single menstrual cycle. However, by the age of 40, this likelihood decreases to around 1 out of 10 women per menstrual cycle. Although a man's fertility also declines with age, it is not as reliably predictable.
Studies such as the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) and the First- and Second-Trimester Evaluation of Risk (FASTER) trial have also shown an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities and congenital defects in children born to women above 35 years of age.
If you are 35 years or older and have been trying hard to conceive for six months while engaging in regular unprotected intercourse, it is advisable to consult with your obstetrician-gynecologist regarding an infertility evaluation. For individuals aged 40 and above, it is recommended to undergo an evaluation before attempting to conceive.
- Around 7 out of 10 women aged 30 will conceive within one year
- Around 6 out of 10 women aged 35 will conceive within one year
- Around 4 out 10 women aged 40 will conceive without one year
What treatment options are available?
If someone wants to conceive at a later stage in life, there are fertility preservation options such as egg freezing. Moreover, there are also various fertility tests for women to identify any associated cause of infertility, apart from age. Accordingly, you can opt for assisted reproductive technologies available, such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI).
IVF involves the stimulation of the ovaries to produce multiple eggs which are then retrieved and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are monitored for development, and one or more embryos are transferred into the woman's uterus. IVF can be an effective option for women who may have reduced fertility due to age or other factors.
Below is the success rate of IVF as per age
Age group Average IVF success rate
28 years 45-55%
31 years 40-50%
Under 35 years 35-45%
Over 4 years 15-20%
IUI, or intrauterine insemination, involves placing sperm directly into the uterus during the woman's fertile window. This can be combined with fertility medications to stimulate ovulation.
Conclusion
Each person's fertility journey is unique, and it is recommended to have an open discussion with an infertility specialist in Kolkata to determine the most appropriate path for achieving pregnancy at the desired time.
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