There’s no mystery that age matters when it comes to getting pregnant without the use of fertility treatments, but it’s also true that a healthy pregnancy after 35 is entirely possible.
A fair number of our own team of female doctors, nurses, and staff have gotten successfully pregnant at age 35 and beyond, and that describes a significant number of our patient population as well. Sure, at a certain point, you may need fertility treatment support, but we’ll help you cross that bridge if you come to it.
While we agree that younger women are more likely to get pregnant faster, and without fertility support, we also know that plenty of women 35-years and older are giving birth to healthy babies every single day.
Pregnancy After 35 is a Very Healthy Reality
It’s important that women understand their biological clock. For that matter, it’s important for men to realize they have a biological clock, too! That said, it’s entirely possible to get pregnant and enjoy a healthy pregnancy after age 35.
In our post, Why Age Matters When it Comes to Getting Pregnant, we break down fertility statistics based on decades: 20s, 30s, and 40s. If your goal is to get pregnant without any or with minimal fertility support from your doctor or a fertility specialist – it’s best to do so between the ages of 25 and 32.
Women from 30 to 34 are still considered at a fertility peak of sorts. From 35 to 38, it can take a little longer (mostly due to the decline in egg quality as we age). Fertility statistics decline more sharply from 38 to 41, and then it’s a steep drop from 41-years and onward.
The reality, however, is that tens of thousands of women are getting pregnant after age 35. The difference is:
- They may need fertility treatments to support conception (although not always)
- The pregnancy will be more carefully monitored as the risk for complications can go up
- We’ll recommend all of the genetic testing options to help support a pregnancy without chromosomal or genetic abnormalities
Maximize Your Fertility Chances at Home
If you are approaching 35 or are freshly 35 or 36, we encourage you to schedule a preconception appointment with your OB/GYN to discuss your options. If you are a healthy female with a regular menstrual cycle, you’ll probably get the green light to get pregnant at home. We’ll make sure you know how to maximize your chances of getting pregnant on your own.
We might also recommend testing your fertility potential for more personalized fertility recommendations. Depending on your age, we’ll schedule a follow-up appointment at the six-month or three-month mark to discuss the next steps if you haven’t gotten pregnant already.
Read, Timing Matters: How to Increase Your Odd of Conception, to learn more about how to time intercourse for the best chances of getting pregnant.
You May Need to Use Clomid
If you are 35- to 37-years old, and you don’t we may want to check in at six-months to review your goals and see which steps make the most sense for you. In many cases, this will mean trying two or three cycles of Clomid. Clomid is an oral fertility medication that stimulates the ovaries to mature and release one or more eggs.
It is one of the most common “first steps” along the fertility treatment path, and may be all you need to help things along.
A Fertility Specialist May Help the Process Along
If we feel you should seek the support of a fertility specialist, we can provide you with a referral. This would include scenarios where:
- You have no known infertility factors
- You’ve gotten the clear from infertility testing
- You’ve timed intercourse each ovulation cycle to no avail for three-, six- or 12 months (depending on your age) including with the added support of two or three Clomid cycles.
We always recommend contacting a fertility specialist if/when:
- You have a known infertility factor (PCOS, endometriosis, certain types of fibroids, etc.)
- Periods are irregular (if periods are irregular, ovulation is irregular, too)
- There is a history of miscarriages
Fertility specialists take our medical records and information about your reproductive history and use specialized fertility diagnostic tools to create personalized fertility treatment plans. Are you interested in learning more about your chances of getting pregnant at age 35 year old or older? Schedule a preconception appointment with us here at Women’s Health Associates.