Too old to conceive? Probably not, but there are some extra things to consider when trying to become pregnant over the age of 35.
The best time to get pregnant will of course vary from person to person. Obviously, the right time for you is whenever you are physically, mentally and financially ready to deal with pregnancy and to care for a child.
Women are most fertile between the ages of 17 and 25, but these days, most women are older than this when they decide to conceive their first child. Fertility does gradually decrease with age- throughout the 30s there is a gradual decline, and a sharp decrease occurs usually after the age of 35. But it is certainlynot impossible to conceive healthily when you are older. It simply means that there is a higher risk of complications than in younger women and special care and precautions need to be considered.
Egg Quality
By the time a woman reaches her 40s, the chances of becoming pregnant are significantly lower than younger women. This is because of lowered egg quality, which in some cases can lead to infertility, but there are many treatment options available for increasing egg quality and therefore improving fertility.
The term "egg quality" refers to the how prepared an egg is to grow, divide and develop inside the embryo, as well as how prepared it is to be fertilised. Two factors largely influence this- the number of chromosomes present within a given egg, and the energy supply of an egg.
Age is one of the biggest factors affecting egg quality. A woman has a finite amount of egg quantity, so as she ages the quality will also decline. Poor egg quality is usually a result of decreased energy supplied by the egg cells, which means that eggs that may have been considered healthy at a younger age can no longer support fertilisation and growth. Poor egg quality can result in an egg not being properly implanted in the uterus after it has been fertilised, or not being able to sustain development, therefore resulting in miscarriage.
Fertility Tests
There are two common fertility tests that can help to determine egg quality. The Day 3 FSH test is used to analyse levels of follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) in the blood stream, taken from the third day of the woman's menstrual cycle. High FSH levels may indicate poor egg quality, as the presence of a matured egg during ovulation would hinder FSH production. The Chlomid Challenge Test is conducted on the tenth day of the menstrual cycle following a dose of chlomid, which provides a more comprehensive look at FSH levels.
Fertility Treatment Options
There are many options available to promote ovulation in women with poor egg quality. Fertility drugs stimulate hormones to enhance the maturing process of the egg. There are also assisted fertility treatment options available, and scientists are continually coming up with new procedures to help you conceive a child. If you are experiencing problems it is important to see your doctor to discuss your options.