In early times, almost all women had their babies in their early 20s. This was mainly because our old culture was stringent, and most women married before they reached 20.
However, our country has developed now, and several women are choosing to marry late or have their babies late to focus on their careers and growth. Most have their first baby in their late 20s, while some even wait till they reach 30 to have their baby.
So, one question that these women will have while trying for a baby in their 30s is, “Will it be harder for me to get pregnant at this age?”
Let’s look at the answer to this question in this article.
What Are Your Chances Of Getting Pregnant After 30?
As you might already know, a woman is most fertile in her 20s. This is the time when her fertility and hormones will be at their peak, and the chances of pregnancy are also high.
According to studies, an average woman in her 20s has about a 25% chance of pregnancy during a single menstrual cycle. This percentage reduces to 20% when she reaches her 30s.
Though this change is not much, it can make it a little bit difficult for you to get pregnant after you reach 30.
Does Fertility Really Decline After 30?
Yes, though the difference is not that much, your fertility does start to decline gradually after you reach 30. This is mainly because your egg reserve (or ovarian reserve) starts declining with age.
Did you know? You are born with the total number of eggs you will have in your lifetime. That is, you will already have all the egg follicles in your ovaries when you are developing in your mother’s uterus.
You won’t keep producing new eggs in your lifetime like men produce sperm. And each time you have your menstrual cycle, the total number of eggs keeps decreasing.
By the time you reach age 30, you will have lost almost 90% of your eggs. By the time you reach 40, only around 3% of eggs will be remaining.
Another factor to consider is that as the number of eggs decreases, the quality of the remaining eggs also decreases. So, if you wait too long to get pregnant, even if you achieve pregnancy later, there are chances the embryo might be of poor quality.
So, try to plan pregnancy early when you are in your 20s, or you can also choose to freeze your eggs (oocyte cryopreservation) to preserve your fertility.
Pregnancy After 30 Risks And Benefits
Remember that 30 is not too lod an age to get pregnant. You will be fairly healthy during that age and can give birth to a healthy baby without any complications.
Risks
Fertility: Your egg reserve will be lower than it was when you were younger. So, pregnancy might be a little difficult.
Chromosomal abnormalities: Most times, the remaining eggs after 30 will be of low quality. So, there is a chance of chromosomal abnormalities in the resulting embryo.
Pregnancy complications: You have an increased risk of having pregnancy complications like high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, cesarean delivery, etc.
Benefits
Financial stability: You will be more financially stable in your 30s as you have already established a stable career foundation for yourself.
Healthier lifestyle: You will be more health-conscious in your 30s than in your 20s, allowing for a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Maturity and life experience: By age 30, you will have faced the hurdles of life and will be more mature in handling pregnancy and childhood.
Is 37 Too Late To Have A Baby?
No, 37 is not too late to have a baby. However, most doctors will consider 37 to be advanced maternal age as your fertility and chances of pregnancy will be very low at this point.
However, if you wish to get pregnant, first consult a fertility doctor and get your fertility tested. Based on the results, your fertility doctor will suggest natural pregnancy or assisted reproductive technologies like IUI, IVF, etc.
Why Choose Me For Your Fertility Consultation?
Getting pregnant in your 30s is not difficult. However, it is best to consult a fertility doctor before trying to get pregnant. To maximize your chances of having a healthy pregnancy, consult the best fertility doctor in your area.
With over 11+ years of experience, Dr. Rukkayal specializes in treating various fertility issues and helping women get pregnant. You can visit her at The Hive Fertility Centre in Chennai.
Conclusion
It is absolutely possible for you to get pregnant during your 30s. So don’t worry too much about it. However, it is best to consider getting pregnant during your 20s to avoid any complications.
You can also opt for fertility treatments if natural pregnancy is not working for you. So don’t lose hope and believe in yourself.
On average, most women will have around 1 to 2 million eggs when they are born. Around age 30, they will have around 1,00,000-1,50,000 eggs remaining.
You have maximum chances of pregnany with minimal complications when you are in your 20s. However, this also depends on your fertility and healthy condition.
Here are some habits that can help you improve your egg quality at age 30:
- Eat a healthy diet with fertility-boosting foods,
- Maintain your weight,
- Manage stress,
- Freeze your eggs,
- Take fertility supplements (after doctor consultation)
