[Celena]

What are the chances of conceiving beyond age 35?


Increasingly, many women are delaying childbirth until well into their thirties. Women who are trying to conceive beyond the peak reproductive years of their twenties, however, are often very concerned about their conception chances. While it is true that fertility rates decline with age across virtually all human populations (Wood 1989; 102; O’Connor et al 1998; 127) and the time to conception is generally longer for women who are past their mid-twenties, (Dunson et al 2002) the chances of conceiving within a year or two are fairly good for women in their late thirties, especially when intercourse is timed well in the fertile period.


The cumulative conception rate for women aged 35-39 is 60% after one year of trying and 85% at two years (Taylor 2003). While this may not sound so promising when you want to have a baby right now, these figures may be higher for women who are able to identify their fertile time and focus intercourse within the fertile window. Time to conception is considerably reduced when intercourse is focused within the most fertile window of the menstrual cycle (Hilgers et al 1992).


Women may delay childbearing for a variety of reasons. In a recent survey of women aged over 35 years seeking assisted reproductive technology, Hammarberg and Clarke (2005) found that 18% of the women in their survey cited “being unaware of the impact of age on fertility” as a reason for their delay in childbearing. Other reasons cited included the desire to complete one’s education, the lack of an appropriate mate, career ambitions, financial concerns, and not wanting a child earlier (Hammarberg and Clarke 2005).


Whatever the reason for delaying childbearing, the pressures of trying to conceive quickly are often greater for women beyond their peak reproductive years. It is generally recommended to begin investigations after one year of trying without conceiving or six cycles of trying with “fertility focused” intercourse (Gnoth et al 2005). Women who are beyond their mid-thirties, however, may want to consult their physicians earlier if they suspect any potential fertility issues or if they are concerned that conception is not happening as quickly as they hoped.


References

Dunson, D. B., B. Colombo, et al. (2002). "Changes with age in the level and duration of fertility in the menstrual cycle." Hum Reprod 17(5): 1399-403.


Gnoth, C., E. Godehardt, et al. (2005). "Definition and prevalence of subfertility and infertility." Hum Reprod 20(5): 1144-1147.


Hammarberg, K. and V. E. Clarke (2005). "Reasons for delaying childbearing--a survey of women aged over 35 years seeking assisted reproductive technology." Aust Fam Physician 34(3): 187-8, 206.


Hilgers, T. W., K. D. Daly, et al. (1992). "Cumulative pregnancy rates in patients with apparently normal fertility and fertility-focused intercourse." J Reprod Med 37(10): 864-6.


O'Connor, K. A., D. J. Holman, et al. (1998). "Declining fecundity and ovarian ageing in natural fertility populations." Maturitas 30(2): 127-36.


Taylor, A. (2003). "ABC of subfertility: extent of the problem." Bmj 327(7412): 434-6.


Wood, J. W. (1989). "Fecundity and natural fertility in humans." Oxf Rev Reprod Biol 11: 61-109.

[missy123]

Thank you for sharing Celena.

[KDD]

Thanks Celena!

[iVari]

Thank you for that, it does shed light that it is very possible to conceive within a reasonable amount of time

[Celena]

It made me feel allot more optimistic, so I wanted to share it hoping it can help shed some positivity

I have to say that after over a year I was "ok" with the length of time it was taking, I know I'm no spring chicken... but my losses thru me into a sad negative place about it and started to become really "hopeless" if you KWIM? (it's getting much better now getting back to that "happy place") We'll do it! We'll make babies and keep them It IS going to happen for us!!!

[momof6lopez]

I have read that article before.......and it is promising. Conceiving does not seem to be most of our issues though......its the high risk of m/c that really sucks for us. (meaning me at 38). Just have to keep going to get the one that sticks.........

[missy123]

Celena, you don't have to answer (obviously) but how old are you? Just so you know, I am 40 and definately have my moments of total frustration where I just don't think it will happen but I am not giving up!

[Celena]

33, I know that's nothing.... at least that's what I thought for the longest time, then allot of talk about egg quality, age, fertility issues, etc here and being in that fragile state after miscarrying twice in a row... well, it's really DRUG ME DOWN! I have a hard time coming here sometimes because there can be so much sadness and negativity about fertility.

I'm not having a great day today, so much for the positive note eh? I apologize!

I've seen a bazillion ladies here get their bfp's... some have even come back, it's wearing on me. In almost 3, 4mos it'll be 2yrs. My health issues I'm sure don't help conception/pg. I might have to just put it off, I don't feel so great and it's a possibility I'm hypoglycemic. Been very sick lately, you'd swear by the symptoms I'm pg (no + strip) but I think it's just the drastically low BS 20,25 & last night 36.

and I swear my chart is wrong as far as when it says I o'd, but whatever. My sleep hasn't been good, so, & neither has my sex drive, so much for pg this cycle.

[momof6lopez]

Celena, Im sorry your day is like this. Im there with you. Hopefully next month bring us better days....On a positive note, you are not advanced maternal age and you are a spring chicken in my eyes!

[Celena]

Awe thanks Lori, I don't think 30's even early to mid 40's is old for getting pg and having kids... I always though 2's was EARLY! How until I had come here and heard so much otherwise, I think it's WRONG tho.... 35 doesn't mean SQUAT, F that. I think that is OLD DATA, shoot so many are waiting until mid 30's and early 40's nowadays. (allot of girls I went to school with have waited until then)

IDK! my good friend was 37 (8 years ago) when she got pg with her FIRST!