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Is there an ideal age to have children and how much does age affect fertility?

Shkruar nga Anabel

7 Korrik 2021

Is there an ideal age to have children and how much does age affect fertility?

Technically, women can become pregnant and have children from the moment the menstrual cycle begins, during puberty until menopause. The average years of female reproduction are between the ages of 12 and 51 years.

Fertility naturally decreases over the years and creating a family too late is more likely to complicate pregnancy. 

Experts say the best time to get pregnant is between the late 20s and early 30s. This age range is associated with the best results for both mother and baby. One study determined the ideal age to give birth to a first child as 30.5 years old .

However, age is only one factor that can influence the decision to get pregnant. People should also consider factors such as emotional readiness or financial status. After all, for every woman, the time when they give birth is unique.

How does age affect fertility?

Females lay about 2 million eggs, the number of which decreases over the years. By age 37, you will have about 25,000 eggs and by age 51, you will have 1,000 eggs. This may affect again as "too many eggs", but "the quality of the eggs also decreases over the years".

Your risk of developing health conditions that can adversely affect fertility, such as endometriosis and fallopian tube disease, also increases with age. Due to these factors, fertility begins to decline gradually around the age of 32 years. Starting between 35 and 37, it starts to fall faster. Other factors affect the reduction of the chances of getting pregnant such as: smoking, cancer treatments with radiation or chemotherapy, pelvic infection, etc.

That said, it cannot be said that it is impossible for a woman to give birth at the age of 40+ or ??even 50+. Model Naomi Campbell became a mother for the first time at the age of 50.

Source: Health Line