According to USC Fertility, the most common cause of the age-related decline in fertility is less frequent ovulation. As women age, they often begin to have occasional cycles where an egg is never released. In a woman’s 30s and 40s, egg quality and quantity also start to decline.
While the total number of eggs cannot be increased, research has shown that with the right lifestyle, precautions and actions, egg quality can actually be improved through a number of different factors.
Looking to conceive in your mid-30s? Here are some things you need to know on how to improve your chances:
1. Schedule a pre-conception appointment. During pre-conception consultations, you and your doctor can review your medical history, current medications and overall lifestyle. This will give you the opportunity to address any concerns about trying to conceive after age 35. It lets you know the positive facts and hard truths of what you’re up against.
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2. Watch your environment and what you consume. A woman who is physically, mentally and emotionally healthy is more likely to conceive. Alcohol, smoking, and caffeine can negatively affect fertility. Being overweight or underweight can also affect fertility by interfering with hormone function.
3. Listen to your body. Observing your fertility signs can tell you a lot about your chances of conceiving. Notating your basal body temperature and cervical fluid can help you pinpoint the best time to have intercourse while you’re ovulating. Becoming familiar with your fertility window will also help you determine whether you are experiencing signs and symptoms of pregnancy.
4. Get peace of mind. Consider taking an at home fertility screening test. There are over-the-counter tests that help screen for key elements affecting female and male fertility. This often gives couples peace of mind as they move through the journey to conceive.
5. Get help. Visit a fertility specialist if you haven’t conceived after 6 months of purposeful intercourse. If you feel you have done your best at getting pregnant on your own, consider alternative support to help you conceive. You have a number of options that include:
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- Fertility drugs
- Surgery
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- In vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)
- Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT)
- Donor eggs and embryos
- Gestational surrogacy
It’s important to know that women over the age of 35 do in fact take longer to conceive. The average time it takes an older couple to get pregnant is actually 1-2 years, so try to remain as positive as possible if you don’t become pregnant right away. Even with fertility support, you can still run into hurdles that with time and patience you can overcome.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that it is possible for most women to have kids later in life. Try to live a healthy lifestyle, be sure to see your doctor for general wellness checks and simply have faith.
Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio.
