As people wait longer and longer to get married, many women have found themselves in the position of wanting to try to conceive after age 35.  But, quite reasonably, they have lots of questions about the challenges involves, intermixed with the joy of such a prospect.  What you should understand though is that many 30-something women, and even many in their forties, conceive successfully.

We do, however, need to concede the challenges involved.  For instance, the most common obstacle that the 30-something will encounter is a lower frequency of ovulation.  Middle-age women start to have cycles occasionally in which an egg is not released.  Further, the quality and quantity of eggs declines as the woman enters the 30s and 40s.  Some other things that make conceiving beyond age 35 difficult can include:

• a previous surgery or infection which caused some scar tissue surrounding the cervix or fallopian tubes;
• endometriosis;
• a decrease in the amount of cervical fluid
• uterine disorders or fibroids;
• other health problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure, which are not normally an issue with younger women.

Besides all of this, women who have passed age 35 also have a higher frequency of miscarriage. The reasons for this are varied, but often it’s due to a higher amount of chromosome abnormalities.  In fact, statistically, women between age 35 and 45 have a 20 to 35 percent higher chance of miscarriage.

What, then, can a woman do to improve her chances of conceiving if she’s past age 35? Some suggestions include:

• Schedule an appointment with your doctor for pre-conception counseling. He or she can look at your prior medical history, your lifestyle, and your medications and help you make an informed decision. You can then discuss concerns he or she might have about trying to conceive at this point.
• Be patient. Remember that it takes longer for a woman over age 35 to conceive (It’s common for it to take a year or two).
• Stay healthy! You’re much more likely to conceive if you stay away from alcohol and tobacco and limit your caffeine intake. Also, try to exercise regularly. An overweight (or underweight).
• Keep a watch on your fertility signs. Keep a record of your basal temperature and of your cervical fluid. By discussing this record with your doctor, you can better pinpoint the best time for intercourse. Plus, these signs will help show if you’re ovulating on a regular basis.
• Take a fertility screen test. This is available over-the-counter and will screen for important elements related to either female or male fertility. You might want to discuss the results with a fertility specialist.
• Stay positive! This should be an exciting adventure, not something worrisome. In fact, stress might actually impede your chances, so don’t look at this as a crisis, but as something positive in your life.

While none of these steps will ensure anyone that she will conceive, they do stack the deck better in your favor. Adhere to them and you’ll hopefully be on your way to a new life with a new baby in the family.