When family planning doesn’t line up with your life, you might end up trying for a baby later than you originally thought you would. Although it can be nerve-wracking to conceive later, fertility doctors are here to help. Here are a few frequently asked questions about having a child later in life and why you shouldn’t worry about what the future holds. 

Your Age-Related Fertility Questions Answered

Why does age impact fertility?

Girls are born with a set number of eggs, and as soon as menstruation starts in adolescence, one egg is released every period. 

Peak reproductive age is considered late teens through late 20s, and getting pregnant outside of that timeframe can be difficult for some people.  

How likely are you to get and stay pregnant as you age? 

At peak fertility, women in their teens and twenties having sex regularly without protection have about a 1 in 4 chance of becoming pregnant each month. However, at age 40, a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant each month drops to only 5%. 

Maintaining pregnancies also becomes more difficult as you age. Women at peak fertility age only have about a 15% chance of having a miscarriage, while women in their 40s have a 40% chance of losing the pregnancy. 

What kinds of fertility tests are available? 

Fortunately, fertility doctors offer testing that can help you determine your chances of getting pregnant. Fertility specialists can check for certain hormones like luteinizing hormone, and can tell if you’re ovulating properly and are capable of getting pregnant on your own. 

Fertility tests can also be conducted on men. For instance, men can have their sperm analyzed for content and quality, helping to rule out potential problems that could interfere with a couple’s ability to get pregnant. 

How can you protect your fertility? 

Fertility specialists can help protect your current fertility and improve your chances of having a successful pregnancy. Women who want children later in life may be able to have their eggs retrieved, possibly fertilized, and frozen (embryos or eggs).

If you want a child but are concerned about your chances, turn to the fertility doctors at Pacific In Vitro Fertilization Institute. Since their inception in 1985, these professionals have helped bring more than 6,500 babies into the world. To learn more about their program and excellent reputation, visit their website, or make an appointment by calling (808) 946-2226.