Confronting The Biological Clock
Many women spend a large portion of their reproductive years trying to prevent pregnancy. Some women are focused on career while others are waiting for the right partner to start a family with. No matter the reason, many women find themselves needing help while trying to conceive during their 30s and 40s. The main culprit is a woman’s biological clock. More than just a metaphor, a woman’s biological clock can make all of the difference in her ability to get pregnant.
Age and Female Fertility
Every woman is born with all of the eggs she will ever have. That reserve of eggs declines for a number of reasons as a woman ages. Along with the decline in quantity, the quality of a woman’s eggs declines after age 35. While it certainly is possible to become pregnant and have healthy pregnancies after this age, doing so is much more difficult. This leads to many women feeling as though they need to confront their biological clock while making decisions about their future families.
Confronting the Biological Clock
There are a number of steps women can take to address their biological clocks.
Early Intervention
Women who are wish to delay starting their families can take several steps to protect their future fertility.
- The first is to have regular check ups to ensure that any medical issues impacting the reproductive organs are quickly addressed
- The second is to consider egg freezing
- Egg freezing is the process of harvesting a young woman’s eggs and storing them until she’s ready to have a family
- Once she is ready to start a family, a woman will have her own, younger, eggs available to be fertilized and transferred to her uterus for implantation and pregnancy
Fertility Assistance
For those women who are already trying to get pregnant, it is important to use all of the resources they have available. Seeing a reproductive specialist may be the best way to achieve a woman’s goals of becoming pregnant. Generally, women who are under age 35 should try for one year before seeking assistance. For women 35 and older the time frame is six months. However, if you’re having concerns, contact a specialist immediately.
The Biological Clock
For more helpful resources about managing your biological clock, please click the link below to enter your information and a fertility specialist from New Hope will contact you – or, simply call 212.969.7422.
I am 47 now. Had an unplanned emergent hysterectomy in 1998 in my 20s and was in emotional shut down for almost 2 decades. I requested an appointment from the BIVF group but was declined due to my age. Their cut off is 45 and I am 47! I read the NY Times article about 49 y/o/f conceiving a healthy baby through your facility and that piqued my interest and gave me a renewed hope. I would like to make an appointment to come seek my pregnancy options. I am from a lineage of high fertility and 2 aunts of mine have had kids in their early and mid 50s respectively. I would like to find out the status of my unremarkable ovaries left in situ and then explore my childbearing option via surrogacy with my younger sister. Thanks.
Hi Nikki,
Please feel free to call in and schedule an appointment with us! The number is 212-969-7422 or you can schedule online http://www.newhopefertility.com/contact/schedule-first-visit/