Couples in Singapore today prefer waiting till they are financially secure and have found their placings in life before choosing to start a family. This often means that trying for a baby does not happen until they are at least above 30 years old.
This article will explore the 5 factors couple should consider when trying to conceive after 35, as well the medical options available to help them get pregnant.
- Additional Stress
Stress is not a welcomed factor when trying to conceive. But between trying to juggle busy lifestyles while being considerate of your partner’s needs alongside the added anticipation and pressure, are the perfect ingredients of stress.
Then again, constant build-up of stress can negatively impact a couple’s chance at conception.
There has been recounts where couples fail at conceiving despite being on IVF treatment, but conceive naturally later when they ar enot actively trying or on holiday. A more relaxed mental state will present couples with a higher chance of getting pregnant.
- Ticking Biological Clock
Fertility in both men and women declines with age.
Women are born with all the eggs she will ever have for her entire life. As women get older, the number and quality of her eggs will decline as well. A woman’s fertility starts diminishing considerably after the age of 35. When menopause hits after the age of 50, chances of them conceiving naturally are almost zero.
Meanwhile, men continue to produce new sperm throughout their entire lives. Likewise, the sperm count and quality will also decline with age.
This is why age is the most important factor when it comes to fertility.
- Couple Infertility
On the topic of difficulties in conceiving, ⅓ of infertility cases are attributed to the woman, man and combination of both partners equally.
It is wrong to assume pregnancy difficulties are solely because of a woman and couples have been recommended to consult an O&G together. This way, all possible reasons can be investigated and eliminated or treated.
Additionally, approaching infertility as a couple enables the pair to draw strength and support from each other. Through this, a happy and healthy fertility journey can be achieved.
- Arrange for Early Fertility Screenings
With 1 in 6 couples facing fertility issues, it is actually more common than people realise. Younger couples are advised to seek medical help if they have been trying to conceive for a year without any evident success. On the other hand, couples who are over 35 years of age should not put off seeing a fertility doctor longer than 6 months into tying for a baby.
Fertility screenings at an earlier stage help with identifying and rectifying any problems early. Some of the problems include structural issues like polyps in the uterine cavity or endometriosis which impairs infertility and can be resolved with surgery to improve conception rates.
In a way, fertility screenings are one of your very first steps to being a responsible and ready parent. It helps couples lay the groundwork to either try for a baby with confidence or seek help quickly and early. This helps couples bypass the stressful and discouraging experience of trying unsuccessfully without knowing the issue at hand.
- Explore Medically-aided Conception Options
Intrauterine insemination (IUI), is a simpler and more cost-efficient procedure that involves placing a concentrated amount of sperm inside the woman’s uterus. It is often recommended for younger couples with fewer fertility issues.
However, if the fallopian tubes are blocked, or if the count or motility of the sperm is low, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is usually recommended.
Be sure to check in with your respective doctors to seek the best option for your individual unique circumstances.
To learn more about fertility screening and treatment options available, speak to an O&G.