Nowadays, the issue of fertility is seen a little differently than it was in the past. And not just because the number of children a woman has over her lifetime has dropped dramatically (in Brazil, the fertility rate according to the latest Census is just 1.9 children per woman), but also because the age at which a woman decides to have children is also changing.
It’s not uncommon to hear stories of women having children at increasingly older ages – a quick internet search and you’ll find reports of pregnancies after the age of 60, and that is definitely something to celebrate! Whether due to technological possibilities or social changes, this is becoming a more viable option and, little by little, what is understood as the “best age to get pregnant” is gaining new definitions.
Biologically, the best age range for a woman to have a baby is between 20 and 29 years old. That’s because at this age a woman’s fertility is at its peak and her body is in the best form and capacity to carry a child. Therefore, the risks of complications during pregnancy and childbirth are lower.
Something else that strongly influences the definition of the best age to get pregnant is the count of eggs. Contrary to what some people may think, we do not produce eggs – every woman is born with a set number for their whole life. So, month after month and at each cycle, we release our eggs which, when not fertilized, are disposed of through menstruation.
This means that the older we get, the fewer eggs we have available, that is, the higher the age, the closer a woman is to reaching the end of her egg reserve. And that’s why, from a medical point of view, after age 35 pregnancy is already considered a late pregnancy.
So, the fact that many women decide to embrace motherhood in their 30s or 40s, although it may not have as much social impact anymore, still has an impact from a biological standpoint. And that’s not to mention lifestyle, eating habits, and the woman’s health, which are factors that can also influence the success of a pregnancy.
Considering how age affects fertility, what then can a woman do when deciding to get pregnant outside the so-called fertile age? What are the chances of success and what can be done to increase those chances? In this article we will explore the following topics:
- Chances of getting pregnant at 30
- Chances of getting pregnant at 40
- How to investigate the ovarian reserve
- Ways to preserve ovarian reserve
Chances of getting pregnant at 30
After reaching adulthood, each decade brings significant changes to a woman’s body. Moving from 29 to 30 marks a turning point: it’s the beginning of fertility decline. Even so, it’s only the beginning – in other words, the impact on the chances of getting pregnant is still small.
In general, until the age of 34, and if there is no predisposition to a high-risk pregnancy, the probability of a smooth pregnancy is still high.
After 35, however, pregnancy is already called late or 35+. Even so, the statistics are surprising: according to an IBGE survey, between 2008 and 2018 there was a decrease in the number of women who had children under 30 and an increase in the number of women who became mothers after that age.
A study from the Live Birth Information System (SINASC) also showed that in 2014, 12.2% of pregnancies were late – a number that grew considerably compared to previous years.
Among the advantages of late pregnancy are maturity and financial stability. Many couples also decide to delay expanding the family in order to spend their early years focusing on their careers. A dream of this size definitely deserves planning!
But that doesn’t mean there are no risks. This article, for example, discusses the complications that may exist in a pregnancy around age 35. Among the most common we can mention preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, and premature rupture of membranes.
Chances of getting pregnant at 40
After age 40, the story of fertility begins to change and the challenges for a woman trying to conceive at this stage already begin at fertilization. Now, not only is the egg quantity greatly reduced, but egg quality can also be impaired. So, besides the risks we’ve already mentioned, there are others specifically related to the quality of the eggs. The main ones for the mother are:
- Gestational diabetes
- Hypertension
- Preeclampsia
- Twin pregnancy
- Cesarean section
For the baby, especially due to the quality of the eggs, the following conditions may appear:
- Down syndrome: statistics indicate that the older the mother, the greater the chances of having a child with Down syndrome (1% at 40, 3% at 45 and 10% at 49). That’s because, as age progresses, the female gamete (oocyte) also ages, becoming more susceptible to genetic alterations and errors in cell division.
- Heart problems: a study in Canada indicates that children born to mothers older than 35 are at greater risk of developing heart issues in adult life. This happens because the age of the egg plays an important role in the development of the fetus’ vascular system.
- Miscarriage: mainly due to risk factors related to the mother’s health (gestational diabetes, preeclampsia), the risk that the body will reject the fetus and the pregnancy will be interrupted by miscarriage increases. And statistics confirm: the likelihood of miscarriage at age 40 is 25%, and can reach 50% at 44.
- Premature birth: also due to complications related to age, there is a risk of birth occurring before the 37th week of pregnancy and improper development of the baby. Therefore, there is a chance that the child will be born with malformations or other health problems.
A pregnancy in your 40s is, in itself, considered high-risk. At this age, the chances of getting pregnant are only 5%. But the probability still exists and the fact that it is more difficult does not mean it is impossible.
Fortunately, with the possibilities of in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, egg freezing, and the emergence of products and methods that help with fertilization, considering a late pregnancy is no longer so frightening. And if you identify with this scenario, it may be important, before continuing to try, to investigate your ovarian reserve to create a plan with full awareness of your real possibilities.
How to investigate the ovarian reserve
One important piece of information—which not everyone knows—is that it is possible to have an estimate of your ovarian reserve. Maybe a few years ago it would have been impossible to imagine getting this information, but today there’s no need to be left in the dark, crossing your fingers and hoping there are still healthy eggs inside you.
Ways to preserve ovarian reserve
Of course, the success of a pregnancy doesn’t depend solely on the number of eggs a woman still has. The hopeful mother’s health directly affects the development of the fetus. That’s why it’s very important for the future mother to pay attention to what she consumes even before fertilization and treat her body in the best way possible.
Cigarettes, alcohol, and narcotics are extremely harmful to ovarian health, as are many other chemical substances.
In general, we know that substances such as folic acid, iron, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, calcium, and zinc are very important for maintaining a healthy body. But, in addition, the woman trying to conceive should adopt a varied diet and pay attention to how food is prepared, especially avoiding fried foods.
She should also reduce sugar and salt and avoid processed foods and those with high amounts of sodium in their composition. Drinking plenty of water is important, as is avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful chemicals.
Ovarian aging is a fact and, in addition to proper nutrition, it requires targeted treatments. Today, there are many conception methods designed especially for women with declining fertility that can help optimize results.
Late pregnancy is no longer seen as a miracle—perhaps more care is needed, but advances in medicine, the development of new fertility techniques, and the amount of information we have today bring some peace of mind and increase our confidence.
Age really does have an impact and, as the years go by, the chances of fertilization gradually decrease. However, by maintaining an adequate diet, monitoring your ovarian reserve, and choosing the best reproductive method with your doctor, there is no reason not to pursue this dream.
