It has become increasingly common for women to leave it later in life before having a baby. This is often due to the pressure to build a career or become financially secure before you start on this adventure.
However leaving it later in life does mean that you are more likely to have problems conceiving. This is why it is important to know the facts before you start trying and what you can do to help improve your odds.
Know That It Is Possible
You probably know someone who is past 35 or 40 and has become pregnant; this reminds you that it is possible.
However, fertility rates do decline as you age; making it a harder and potentially a longer process. It is worth noting that fertility issues can also affect your ability to have a baby; this can happen at any age.
Fertility general peaks in your 20’s and starts to decline from approximately 32 years of age. As you approach your late 30’s the chance of conception starts to drop radically.
The Standard Process
It is important to forget about your age and start trying. This means coming off any protection you are using and focusing on when you are most fertile.
You should try not to force your sexual encounters; make them about pleasure not just trying for a baby. It is worth noting that men should have 2 – 3 days rest between sessions for their sperm to perform at their best.
Get Checked Out
In younger couples it is common to wait for a year before seeking assistance. As you edge past 35 you may prefer to seek help after just 6 months; time is not on your side.
Infertility can happen at any age and to both men and women. It is essential that you and your partner get properly checked to ensure there are no issues with the way your body is working.
As part of this it is possible you can have laparoscopic surgery where a tiny camera is used to check that all the pathways and organs appear to be clear and healthy.
Dealing With Infertility
If you discover that you or your partner has an issue then there are additional steps you can take to help overcome them:
- Drugs
The first step in most cases is to administer drugs that will help to regulate your cycle and potentially improve your fertility rate. These will need to be prescribed and you’ll have to inject them yourself every day; usually into your leg.
- IVF
If drugs alone don’t work then it is common to adopt IVF as the next step. This is where the sperm is taken from the man and then injected directly onto a Petri dish next to your eggs. This will increase the chances of a sperm fertilizing one of your eggs. The fertilized eggs are then returned to your uterus.
- ICSI
However, if the sperm is of poor mobility and morphology it is often better to remove the egg from you and manually introduce the sperm into to egg in a lab. This approach does require more drugs to prepare the body and help the egg attach itself to your womb.
- Egg or Sperm Donation
You can also opt for egg or perm donation; depending on what the issues are with you and your partner’s fertility.
The important thing is to know it is possible and to remain as positive as possible; it is a difficult and highly emotional road. The important thing is to know it is possible and to remain as positive as possible; it is a difficult and highly emotional road.
