Does fertility really drop off a cliff at 35?

[moonwalk]

I guess since you Ladies have several kids, you will be able to answer this...

How long did it take you to conceive each of your kids and at what age?
And Mostly: Did you run into difficulties ttc in your late Thirties?

I was lucky and conceived very easily 3 times (at 32, 33, and 35).... well... now I am 37 and am wondering if I should expect problems with fertility?

Please help me out :-) we just had an unsuccessful first month of ttc :-(

[LongStory]

Try this link

www.babycentre.co.uk/preconception/activelytrying/ageandfertility/

But I keep hearing of surprise pregnancies in friends' 40s, the latest was at 46.

Ouch!

[BedHog]

I'm sure it doesn't suddenly drop at 35 for everyone - that's like saying girls start their periods at 13. Some do, but some start at 8 and others at 16. Similarly, some women's fertility will decline in their 20s, others will conceive easily in their 40s.

[fannybaws]

Agree with Bedhog, numbers mean nothing on an individual basis.
I had 3 Dcs between 37 and 41 conceived within a couple of months each time, one while still breastfeeding too.
Good luck

[juuule]

I had no problems conceiving past the age of 35 (4 babies) but did have a higher incidence of m/c past the age of 41.

[Frog253]

Managed an unplanned at 39, took 12 months to conceive No:1 aged 33! Also fell for the fertility drops off a cliff at 35 years old line. For some women it does and others it doesn't as has been said above.
Probably not best to start your family in your late 30's because you have no idea about your fertility at that point and not a lot of time to sort out problems if they arise.

[imip]

I was infertile in my early 30's due to a growth in my womb. My periods seemed to last from 28-31 days with no pattern. Turned out the growth was making me miscarry. I estimate about 5 miscarriages in about 18 months. Once the growth was removed, it took me about 5 cycles to conceive my first dc at 34. She passed away for reasons unconnected with my age. I had another baby at 35, 37, 38 and I am pregnant again at 40. The last four pregnancies were conceived on the first attempt, the final one while breast feeding. I think I've been incredibly lucky. I have a number of friends who have had a child in their late 30s/early 40s and have been unable to conceive anymore children. In my area this is surprisingly common. I suspect like others have said that after 35 it drops off quicker for some than others, but after 40 it seems a very steep cliff. If someone was asking me when to have their first child, I'd always say if circumstances allow start before you turn 35. Good luck...

[BikeRunSki]

DS - I was 37, conceived in 1 cycle.
DC2 (am 36 wks pg) - 40, conceived in 1 cycle

No other pg (and there won't be any more either!)

[sunnydelight]

DS1 - I was 30, conceived first time.
DS2 - I was 35, conceived in 3 months
DD - I was 39, totally unplanned.

I know a lot of women who have had a "surprise" baby in their early 40s, I think your body does some kind of "last chance" fertility surge before going into rapid decline. Of my four NCT buddies we all had unplanned final pregnancies and we were all late 30s/early 40s.

[LongStory]

yep, your body goes into overdrive - multiple pregnancies are a higher risk. My tactful midwife friend explains my surprise (4th) pregnancy at 37 as "old age twins".

[Giddly]

I looked into this a bit while try8ing to conceive in my 40s. Apparently the "average" decline in fertility seen in the general population is made up of quite strong decline in some, and very little decline in others. Obviously you don't really know which group you will be in. I concieved my first at 40 after trying for two months, and my second at 42 having tried for 3 months, but realise this is very lucky.

[claireinmodena]

I conceived twins in 3 tries at 39!

In theory fertility declines, but at the same time as I've found out imultiole pregnancies are more likely as you may have double ovulations