Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Does it really gets hard to get pregnant after 35?

98 replies

Hupshup · 30/09/2023 20:27

As the title, I am curious to understand if it gets really tough to fall pregnant after 35? I am 34 and on fence to have another one soon or try at 36.
I keep hearing all sorts of views from people on MN and outside. I have seen many women have children after 35, but still lots of pessimism around the age factor for women.
Please share your experiences.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hupshup · 30/09/2023 20:32

Bump bump

OP posts:
Zebrasinpyjamas · 30/09/2023 20:33

Fertility does decrease with each year but that is for the general population. It varies hugely for each individual so your past fertility history is probably more relevant imo.

I was lucky enough that it made no difference to me. I had 3 straight forward pregnancies at 34, 36 and 38. Good luck!

Pottomous2 · 30/09/2023 20:33

I had my kids at 35 and 37. Didn’t have a problem with either conception and I conceived quickly … too quickly for me really, but hey they are here now! Lol!

Original poster
Hupshup · 30/09/2023 20:34

I have a DC already from pregnancy at 32.

OP posts:
TrudyProud · 30/09/2023 20:35

I had by first at 35 (conceived cycle 1) pregnant with my 2nd she'll be born when I'm 37 (conceived cycle 1).

In my experience no issues at all

tourdefrance · 30/09/2023 20:35

It depends. Different women have different levels of fertility. 100 women telling you they got pregnant at 40 won’t tell you if YOU can get pregnant at 36.
On average it is harder from 30 and harder again from 35 and being older increases various risks too.

12345change · 30/09/2023 20:37

This is a difficult question to answer without knowledge of your medical history - factors such as weight and general health do matter whatever your age but more so as you get older.

On the whole 35 plus women can still get pregnant fairly easily, I did and I'm sure you'll hear stories about many who did and many who didn't - but you're best to discuss this with your GP.

AlexaCanYouHearMe · 30/09/2023 20:38

Harder, but not crazy hard. Over 40 will be much harder. I would try to avoid leaving it til after 35 for my first, but sometimes it's not possible! I know 5 women who conceived (first one) at 34-37. 3 took about 9 to 15 months to conceive. Other 2 took 3-8 months ... All but one never had a second one. All the best! Flowers

AnguaResurgam · 30/09/2023 20:40

Yes, it's declining, and once in mid-30s I'd go for it (unless there are important reasons to wait).

But your chances are still pretty good for several more years.

I read something yonks ago about a US group that eschewed contraception (not sure if it was Amish, but that sort of thing) and women tended to have numerous children. But the birth rate over age 42 was low to non-existent. So that's the number that always stuck in my mind as the one where it gets v unlikely. (Disclaimer - can't remember where I saw it, so there might all sorts of reasons not to buy in to this theory!)

Patchworksack · 30/09/2023 20:41

For me it got hard to STAY pregnant. 4 miscarriages between 35 and 39 when I had my youngest daughter.
If you are considering delaying TTC might be worth getting your AMH measured which gives you an idea of ovarian reserve, and speaking to your mum about when she reached menopause, fertility drops sharply about 10 years before that.

PaprikaPlease · 30/09/2023 20:42

I know many people who did no problem
and a few who couldn’t. There are stats and tables online if you want hard data eg how many women get pregnant at say 36 and how many months it takes them on average. Past fertility history, regularity of menstrual cycles and the age of your mother at menopause might give someone a little bit of a clue. There are tests for ovarian reserves and things too but fertility at an individual level often seems a bit of a medical mystery.

Original poster
Hupshup · 30/09/2023 20:42

Patchworksack · 30/09/2023 20:41

For me it got hard to STAY pregnant. 4 miscarriages between 35 and 39 when I had my youngest daughter.
If you are considering delaying TTC might be worth getting your AMH measured which gives you an idea of ovarian reserve, and speaking to your mum about when she reached menopause, fertility drops sharply about 10 years before that.

Yeah, I have heard lots of story about difficulty in staying pregnant after 35.

OP posts:
airfresh123 · 30/09/2023 20:44

Everyone is different. Statistically yes but I conceived first cycle at 36 .

Overthebow · 30/09/2023 20:45

It’s different for everyone. Fertility does decline a lot after 35 but some women have no trouble conceiving at age 40 and some start to struggle at younger than 35. Depends on your own fertility.

MrsSamR · 30/09/2023 20:46

Took me 6 months at 34 and 2 months at 36 so for me it wasn't a thing! 🤷‍♀️

Ifyouknowyouknowyouknow · 30/09/2023 20:49

I conceived first cycle 5 times aged 30-32 (had recurrent mcs due to an issue which is now treated, only 1 resulted in a baby), then DC2 took 3 cycles at 33. Im now 36 and on cycle 3 ttc dc3. I do feel less fertile than when I conceived dc1. But have no doubt I will conceive again.

IsItUs · 30/09/2023 20:50

Different for everyone but I conceived aged 38 for my eldest and 39 for youngest. Both in first month of trying. I know I was fortunate.

Peachescat · 30/09/2023 20:52

Was lucky enough to fall pregnant 1st cycle for DS at age 30 and 1st cycle for DD at age 42. Imagine it depends very much on individual fertility.

MinnieMouse0 · 30/09/2023 20:54

I have endometriosis and was told I definitely need to be trying before 35 and shouldn’t put it off. But I think most people manage to conceive after 35!

Whowhatwherewhenwhy1 · 30/09/2023 20:56

Not for me. All 3 of my kids were conceived between 36&42 and I got pregnant v easily and v fast

Mistymist · 30/09/2023 20:56

I am one of the unlucky ones that hasn't been able conceive after 35. I lost a pregnancy at 32 and nothing has happened since then. I have had ivf rounds that failed, so yeah I guess for some of us it gets harder.

WeeWillyWinkie9 · 30/09/2023 20:56

New studies have shown that there is no cliff edge of 35. That was a myth.

LittleBoPeepHasLostHerShit · 30/09/2023 20:57

I conceived on the first attempt at both 33 and 37.

Merryoldgoat · 30/09/2023 20:58

I am from a ridiculously fertile family. I got pregnant first go at 34 & 39. I’m overweight with PCOS and patchy periods.

I have zero medical training but I wonder how many women who have difficulty after 35 might have earlier anyway.

Neverseenthatmuchjunkinthetrunkbefore · 30/09/2023 20:58

Aged 39. Only pregnancy, first cycle.