Age
There is not a perfect age for having a family. There are many matters to consider including emotional and financial readiness. Physically, it is easiest for most to become pregnant between 20 and 35 years of age. The ability to conceive naturally or with medical advances declines with age. A woman's fertility begins to decline around 32 years of age. As men age, there is a decrease in the quality of their sperm. With women and/or men that are 35 or older there are more chance of:
- multiple births (twins, triplets)
- chromosomal differences (Like Down Syndrome)
- miscarriages or still births
- health issues for the baby
As women age, it is more common to have gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. The risk of pregnancy complications (like a premature baby) and adverse outcomes increase with age even with fertility treatment and technology.
Pregnancy during the teenage years is also associated with premature birth and babies with poor growth during the pregnancy.