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Original poster

Much difference between fertility at 31 compared to 33?

36 replies

EmeraldPie · 01/10/2025 11:39

Any advice/reassurance/experiences appreciated.

I would like to have a baby now or within the next year (aged 31) but due to partner's circumstances and living arrangements it looks more likely to TTC in a couple of years. Is there likely much difference in chance to conceive?
I really wanted to try soon, but doesn't look like it will happen :(

I have 'regular' periods and have just started tracking ovulation to get a better idea of my cycle.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Uggbootsforever · 01/10/2025 11:40

No, I don’t think so. Might take a month or two longer, but it’s not a cliff face until late 30s.

Uggbootsforever · 01/10/2025 11:42

Just to follow that up I conceived DD first try at 26, and DS second try at 29, so that’s my logic 😆 my friends have conceived without too many issues at 33/34, maybe it’s taken 6 months or so but they’ve got there in the end.

Canopop · 01/10/2025 11:44

Before 35 I wouldn’t concern too much until you’ve started trying ☺️ took me 2.5 years at 29-31 and then just 9 months at 34… random but you won’t know until you try! My friend is 40 and got pregnant first time!

didgeridid · 01/10/2025 11:48

Pregnant at 30 (maybe four months of trying) had baby at 31. Suprise pregnancy at 36 but had a miscarriage. We thought we just carry on trying as we were worried about time but happened the next month! So no fertility issues here
I guess it depends on the person though. Good luck trying :)

Sunseeker83 · 01/10/2025 11:51

Uggbootsforever · 01/10/2025 11:40

No, I don’t think so. Might take a month or two longer, but it’s not a cliff face until late 30s.

It’s not a cliff face ever. It’s a gradual decline.

powershowerforanhour · 01/10/2025 11:57

"but it’s not a cliff face until late 30s."

On average, it's not a cliff face ever. From a brief googling of graphs it looks like a plateau till early 30s, then a moderately steep downhill till early 40s then a shallower gradient for the tail end of fertility.

Greeneyegirl · 01/10/2025 12:00

I don't think the age will make a difference in a few years but I think if you want to TTC this year but are putting it off, pay to have some tests done so you know if that's a good idea. Too many people I know have put it off to have the perfect wedding, job, house, holiday etc. and then found it's taken years.

Also at 33 you risk falling into private IVF if there's an issue because you can only get it on NHS before 35 and having TTC for 2 years so starting at 33 will take you outside of that I think

Original poster
EmeraldPie · 01/10/2025 12:00

didgeridid · 01/10/2025 11:48

Pregnant at 30 (maybe four months of trying) had baby at 31. Suprise pregnancy at 36 but had a miscarriage. We thought we just carry on trying as we were worried about time but happened the next month! So no fertility issues here
I guess it depends on the person though. Good luck trying :)

Thanks so much for your advice. I'm glad to hear you didn't experience too many fertility issues. I just feel sad as I wanted to have my first baby soon after 30 as I feel ready, didn't want to take my fertility for granted now.
I guess this happens though :) - I hope everything will be ok.

OP posts:
fourfoxsakes · 01/10/2025 12:03

I think it depends how many children you want and you need to calculate how old you will be on the 2nd child

Bitzee · 01/10/2025 12:04

Do you know what the criteria are for fertility referrals in your area? I have a friend who started trying at 33, no known issues up until then, but it hasn’t happened naturally and she’s having to look at private IVF because the NHS cut off in her area is 35 and she had to be trying 2 years to get the referral. Which sucks. She says she wished they started earlier. Then again I have another friend who was told she would be unlikely to conceive naturally, thought they’d better start trying because it’s a long process for fertility treatment and actually she fell pregnant naturally first cycle trying. It’s impossible to predict. I will say though that there will never be a perfect time. If a baby is wanted and you can cover the essentials I wouldn’t personally delay.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 01/10/2025 12:07

No issue for me or difference from first at 30 and second at nearly 36 🤷‍♀️

yesvalery · 01/10/2025 12:10

I work in obstetrics OP. The majority of our patients are between 35- 45 having their first babies, majority having no problem conceiving. There are quite a lot of misconceptions about fertility decline and age. It may be worth you having a convo with your Gp or midwife who can give you a professional perspective .

Original poster
EmeraldPie · 01/10/2025 12:18

Greeneyegirl · 01/10/2025 12:00

I don't think the age will make a difference in a few years but I think if you want to TTC this year but are putting it off, pay to have some tests done so you know if that's a good idea. Too many people I know have put it off to have the perfect wedding, job, house, holiday etc. and then found it's taken years.

Also at 33 you risk falling into private IVF if there's an issue because you can only get it on NHS before 35 and having TTC for 2 years so starting at 33 will take you outside of that I think

Thanks! This is an insight I hadn't thought of :)

OP posts:
Twoshoesnewshoes · 01/10/2025 12:21

Just screenshot this from British fertility society

Much difference between fertility at 31 compared to 33?
Tunacheesequesadilla · 01/10/2025 12:30

I think it depends on how many children you want too. You may not have an issue conceiving a first baby, but a second or third may become trickier.

Jellybunny56 · 01/10/2025 12:35

How old is your partner? As it’s not just your age to factor in, a huge % of infertility is due to male factor.

My main concern at your age would be what your options would be worst case scenario if you needed help. Worth checking your local area policy but as PP says you may miss out on NHS funded IVF.

Peonies12 · 01/10/2025 12:35

You could get fertility tests for you both so you have some idea if there's any issues. But those tests are not definitive. It is worth waiting til you both have stability, and do really consider getting married as you will very likely make financial sacrifices to have a baby, and if you split, being married will give you legal protection. And when you do start trying, don't panic if it doesn't happen right away. It's very common to take a year so don't worry, or get too into testing or treatments right away.

Original poster
EmeraldPie · 01/10/2025 13:43

Jellybunny56 · 01/10/2025 12:35

How old is your partner? As it’s not just your age to factor in, a huge % of infertility is due to male factor.

My main concern at your age would be what your options would be worst case scenario if you needed help. Worth checking your local area policy but as PP says you may miss out on NHS funded IVF.

33, almost 34.
Yes I agree, we really always assume our own fertility could be in decline but forget there could be something wrong male side,
thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
EmeraldPie · 01/10/2025 13:43

Peonies12 · 01/10/2025 12:35

You could get fertility tests for you both so you have some idea if there's any issues. But those tests are not definitive. It is worth waiting til you both have stability, and do really consider getting married as you will very likely make financial sacrifices to have a baby, and if you split, being married will give you legal protection. And when you do start trying, don't panic if it doesn't happen right away. It's very common to take a year so don't worry, or get too into testing or treatments right away.

Edited

Thank you - this is reassuring.

OP posts:
Original poster
EmeraldPie · 01/10/2025 13:45

Bitzee · 01/10/2025 12:04

Do you know what the criteria are for fertility referrals in your area? I have a friend who started trying at 33, no known issues up until then, but it hasn’t happened naturally and she’s having to look at private IVF because the NHS cut off in her area is 35 and she had to be trying 2 years to get the referral. Which sucks. She says she wished they started earlier. Then again I have another friend who was told she would be unlikely to conceive naturally, thought they’d better start trying because it’s a long process for fertility treatment and actually she fell pregnant naturally first cycle trying. It’s impossible to predict. I will say though that there will never be a perfect time. If a baby is wanted and you can cover the essentials I wouldn’t personally delay.

Thanks,
Hopefully it would be ok. - I agree with there being no perfect time.
The thing that has been only slightly concerning me is that my cycles have been a bit shorter for the past few months - before it was always 28/29 days and now have gone down to 25/26. I have just started to track ovulation so hopefully this will allow me to see when things are happening.

OP posts:
ecossegirl91 · 01/10/2025 14:02

Not for me - had my first baby at 31, conceived first try after 15 years on the pill.
conceived 2nd baby at 33, born at 34, after 2 cycles. I think it’s after 36 there is a more marked decline.

bit you’ve had some good advice here overall and I think people are having first babies much later! Depends how much kids you want!

I agree tho that fertility is fickle and so different for everyone and you just need the stars to align! You really won’t know your fertility till you try.

I was convinced I would struggle due to my mum having 6 miscarriages and a still born prior to my birth. Also my gran& aunty went through menopause at 36 and my mum was 43, so I didn’t think it would work out so easily for me.

Mushroo · 01/10/2025 14:06

I doubt there’s much difference - but you don’t know if you’ll have problems until you try.

So whilst there wouldn’t be a difference, if it turns out there are problems, by waiting two years you then have less time to sort out any issues.

Nishy88 · 01/10/2025 14:11

I fell pregnant at 34 with my first. I hadn't used birth control for many years and it was a case of if its meant to be it'll happen so we were never really TTC then. Recently found out I'm pregnant with second child after about 3 months of TTC and tracking cycles - I'm 37.
As others have said, every body is different and wishing you the best x

Original poster
EmeraldPie · 01/10/2025 14:33

Nishy88 · 01/10/2025 14:11

I fell pregnant at 34 with my first. I hadn't used birth control for many years and it was a case of if its meant to be it'll happen so we were never really TTC then. Recently found out I'm pregnant with second child after about 3 months of TTC and tracking cycles - I'm 37.
As others have said, every body is different and wishing you the best x

Thanks so much, this is reassuring. Congratulations on the news of your second!

OP posts:
user2848502016 · 01/10/2025 14:40

Not for me, had mine at 29 and 33 and no issues either time. Fertility starts to decline for most women from around 35 but some women get pregnant easily in their late 30s or even 40s so it varies.
The question is whether you want more than one baby too, if you are planning to have more than one then starting now would be a better idea than waiting until you’re 33, even if you get pregnant straight away you’re going to be at least 35 planning a second