| Women well into their 30's and 40's are waiting to | | | | So don't worry if the problem is not found right |
| have their first child. In fact, about 20 percent of | | | | away. |
| women in the United States now have their first child | | | | Your doctor will likely recommend specific treatments |
| after age 35. This could be for several reasons: | | | | for infertility based on: |
| couple's finances, career, flexibility to stay home at | | | | * Test results |
| start, job transfers, educational goals etc. | | | | * How long you and your spouse have been trying |
| Whatever the reason may be, aging is a growing | | | | to get pregnant |
| cause of fertility problems. Almost one-third of | | | | * Your ages |
| couples in which the woman is over 35 have fertility | | | | * Overall health of both partners |
| problems. Unfortunately for women over 30, aging | | | | * Preference of both partners |
| decreases a woman's chances of having a baby in | | | | Now comes the time for you and your spouse to |
| the following ways: | | | | make an important decision based on the information |
| * Her ovaries become less able to release eggs | | | | presented to you by your doctor - how you will |
| * She has a smaller number of eggs left | | | | treat your infertility problem. Both men and women |
| * Her eggs are not as healthy | | | | can have problems. |
| * She is more likely to have health conditions that | | | | Infertility can be treated with medicine, surgery, |
| can cause fertility problems | | | | artificial insemination, or assisted reproductive |
| * She is more likely to have a miscarriage. | | | | technology (ART). One method of ART you may |
| Women over 30 should see their doctors after six | | | | already be familiar with (IVF) In vitro fertilization |
| months of trying. Her chances of having a baby | | | | (fertilization outside of the body). |
| decrease rapidly every year after the age of 30. | | | | After doing a little more research on this topic the |
| Listen to your body - if you are experiencing any of | | | | causes of infertility are best treated by a |
| the following it may be time to plan a visit to your | | | | board-certified reproductive endocrinologist. Generally, |
| doctor: | | | | the OB/GYN or reproductive endocrinologist will |
| * Irregular periods or no menstrual periods | | | | evaluate specific situations and perform tests in both |
| * Very painful periods | | | | the male and female partners to determine the cause |
| * More than one miscarriage | | | | of infertility. |
| Better yet, why not make an appointment to talk to | | | | Do your homework make sure your doctor is |
| your doctor as soon as you and your spouse decide | | | | certified with the American Board of Obstetrics and |
| to expand your family. The sooner the better, your | | | | Gynecology in the sub-specialty of Reproductive |
| doctor can help you get your body ready for a | | | | Endocrinology and Infertility. |
| healthy baby. They can also answer questions on | | | | I hope this information has been helpful to you. If |
| fertility and give tips on conceiving. | | | | you are a woman over 30 years of age, haven't had |
| Doctors will do an infertility checkup and run the | | | | your first child yet, have been trying for at least 6 |
| necessary tests. If your first tests don't have | | | | months to 1 year without any protection - then it's |
| positive results, don't take it to heart...I mean finding | | | | time to take the next step - seek medical |
| the cause of infertility can be a long process at times. | | | | consultation. I wish you much success in reaching |
| It may take time to complete all the tests needed. | | | | your ultimate goal - having a baby. |