What You Need To Know To Get Pregnant Over 35 And Beyond

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More and more women are waiting to start their families while they focus on their career, wait until they are financially secure, or look for the right partner.  The average age for first time mothers continues to rise and the there is a trend globally of an increase in women getting pregnant at 35 years old and older. 

Still, we know there are potential challenges that go along with waiting until your mid-thirties to have a baby.  The chances of conceiving naturally drop significantly in a woman’s late 30’s, and over 40 the numbers can look grim, but it is certainly possible to get pregnant.  Let’s talk about what you need to know to increase your chances of success no matter your age. 

Understand Your Ovarian Reserve

Women are born with a finite number of eggs and lose 90% of them around 30 years old.  By 40 most women only have about 3% of their eggs left (*don’t panic - this is still tens of thousands of eggs), so it’s important to see a doctor for blood work.  The baseline fertility blood panel includes anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels which reflect the quantity of eggs in reserve.  Your clinic may also perform an ultrasound to get an idea of your antral follicle count (AFC).  The AFC gives an idea of how many eggs are produced in a cycle and helps predict how a patient might respond to IVF stim meds.

Related Read: 9 Questions To Ask At Your Fertility Consult

Focus On Egg Quality

While you can’t control the quantity of eggs in reserve, efforts can be made to improve the quality of your eggs.  Simple changes such as a fertility friendly diet, moderate exercise and stress regulation can contribute to egg health.  Acupuncture treatments are proven to support egg health and IVF success.  Finally, start taking a prenatal vitamin with folate and talk to your doctor about recommended supplements that support egg health such as DHEA and CoQ10.  Keep in mind these efforts could take several months to be beneficial, so begin as soon as possible while planning your next steps.

Discuss A Timeline

Are you ready to start your family right away?  It might be helpful to talk with your partner about a plan or road map to building your family.  For example, you might try naturally for a couple of cycles (make sure you are charting your cycle and using ovulation prediction kits to take advantage of your most fertile days).  If this is unsuccessful, it could be time to consult with a specialist.  The next steps may be medicated cycles or straight to IUI/ IVF depending on your doctor’s recommendation.  If, in an agreed amount of time based on your conversations, you aren’t pregnant, you might want to start considering other options such as egg donation or embryo donation.  Planning out your options in advance can give you a sense of control through the process.  Remember, you are in charge and can always change the plan. 

Know Your Options

For some women trying to conceive over 35, the hard truth is that her own eggs may not be the best or easiest options for conception, or pregnancy could be a health risk.  This information can be difficult to process, but know there are alternative routes to parenthood.  Egg donation, embryo donation, surrogacy/ gestational carriers, and adoption are all beautiful options, but you won’t know what is right for you until you educate yourself.  Talk to your clinic about the options ahead of time so you are prepared if you decide to take any of these routes. 

Related Read: 7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting IVF

Get Support

Getting pregnant after 35 might not be simple but finding support can make the process easier to navigate.  A therapist, fertility coach, or support group can offer guidance for your questions and concerns.  A person or community who is there to listen when you are struggling can be validating through a difficult process. 

Getting pregnant at any age has the possibility of struggles. If you are feeling frustrated, stuck, or powerless on your fertility journey – it’s time to find a more positive path.  Learn more about the Positive Fertility Method Here.

I would love to help you navigate this challenging road and make the journey more positive.  Schedule a chat today and follow Positive Fertility on Instagram for daily support and inspiration!  

Don’t forget to download your FREE Ultimate IVF Checklist - a must read for anyone preparing for an upcoming treatment cycle.