Today, more and more women are putting off having children to pursue careers and independent lifestyles. For some, its just the case of finding the right partner or feeling ready. Everyone has their own reasons for waiting – but sadly, it also means fertility issues have skyrocketed and 1 in 6 UK couples now struggle to have a baby.
As you probably know, age can dramatically reduce your chances of falling pregnant. Worse still, it also increases the risk of birth defects such as chromosomal anomalies and other lifelong conditions.
But if you’re planning to become an older mum, don’t panic. There are several steps you can take to increase your chances of a healthy, successful pregnancy.
Understanding fecundity and fertility
The term “fecundity” refers to the ability for a couple to produce a baby, while “fertility” is actually producing the baby.
- Fecundity = potential production
- Fertility = actual production.
Fecundity naturally decreases with age. In fact, research has shown that fecundity is primarily (and perhaps exclusively) affected by biological factors such as age rather than socio-economic factors.
If you’re a woman, you should know that both your fecundity and your fertility begins to decline in your early 30s, and then even more rapidly after the age of 35.
Around three-quarters of couples aged 25 or under are usually able to conceive within six months of “trying”. However, this rate drops dramatically by the age of 25-29 years to only around 25.5%. This figure sadly get bleaker as we age.
Reduced fertility, on the other hand, is often due to a combination of factors. This can include anything from hormonal problems to environmental influences.
Factors affecting a woman’s fertility
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Weight gain
- Poor blood sugar levels
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Digestive disturbances affecting her nutrient absorption
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Stress and/or adrenal fatigue
Factors affecting a man’s fertility
- Subnormal semen analysis results
- Sleep irregularities
- Family history of cardiovascular disease
- Asthma
Risks of miscarriage
Age is also one of the greatest factors in a woman’s risk of miscarriage. Studies suggest that the risk is lowest among women aged 25-29 (9.8%), and highest risk at age 45 and over (53.6%).
The first trimester carries the highest risk of miscarriage, affecting around 12-15% in women of healthy weight aged under 37. However, the higher a woman’s BMI, the higher the risk: miscarriage results in around 31% in women of the same age who are overweight, and quadruples in women who are obese.
But age and BMI aren’t the only problems. Researchers note that miscarriage can result from a complex interplay of factors: genetic, hormonal, immunological, and environmental. Common risk factors can include previous miscarriages and/or infertility, chronic medical conditions, STIs, viral and bacterial infections during pregnancy, and uterine complications.
The risk increases after adverse pregnancy outcomes, creating a pattern of recurrence.
In terms of lifestyle factors, cigarette smoking is one of the most dangerous. One survey involving 14 779 women aged 18–23 years showed that current smokers and ex-smokers had an increased risk of miscarriages compared to women who had never smoked. Smoking also impairs sperm quality, and some research has noted that a male partner smoking can increase the risk of the female miscarrying.
How a fertility plan can improve your chances of conception
Figuring out each partner’s fecundity and fertility isn’t something most couples can do on their own! It involves a comprehensive investigation into all the relevant factors: health history, diet, lifestyle choices, health conditions, environmental influences.
A successful pregnancy begins with identifying both partners’ obstacles to fertility. The next step is addressing these obstacles and modifying your lifestyle where required. This is where I can help.
As mentioned in my previous blog post, your preconception care plan should begin at least four months prior to when you want to conceive. A fertility plan can significantly improve conception rates and increase the chances of a healthy, full-term pregnancy. It also improves your chances of everything else that matters: the likelihood of a natural, intervention-free birth, mother-child bonding, successful breastfeeding, and even a reduced risk of postnatal depression. If you’re concerned about your potential risk factors in conceiving, the time to act is now. Get in touch, and we’ll start making a plan for your future family.