The best time to get pregnant is when you are physically, emotionally, mentally and financially ready. This varies greatly from person to person. Most people reach the peak of their fertility in their 20s, but the best age to get pregnant also depends on other factors.
For example, young people are less likely to have the money and resources necessary to raise children and may want to finish their education, get married, and travel the world first. On the other hand, some people may not want to wait too long and end up in the middle generation having to care for both their children and their aging parents. Of course, there are also biological and physical limitations to consider.
To determine the best age to get pregnant , we asked a group of parents and medical experts for their informed advice. Read on to find out what is the ideal age to get pregnant.
Pregnancy under 20
While having a baby during your teenage years may seem like the ideal scenario, there’s no denying that this is the time when your fertility peaks.
Unfortunately, women in this age group tend to have a higher incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension (rising again in their late 30s and early 40s). They are also at higher risk of other pregnancy complications, such as premature rupture of the membranes.
The financial demands of raising children can also be stressful for teenagers, but some are able to meet this challenge without any problems.
Pregnancy between 20 and 24 years old
Most people in their early 20s are highly fertile, with about an 85% chance of conceiving within a year. But finances can still be a strain, as many in their early 20s are paying off student loans, making less money, and putting less (if any) money into savings accounts. Some people feel that the uncertainty of graduating from college, getting a job, dating, and so on makes them ill-suited to raising children in their 20s.
Pregnancy between the ages of 25 and 29
Medically, you have the same chances of getting pregnant in your late 20s as you do in your early 20s, and the lifestyle pros and cons are probably similar. You’re also less likely to experience complications during pregnancy than if you were to give birth too early or too late.
Pregnancy between 30 and 34 years old
Getting pregnant in your early 30s has many benefits, including giving you plenty of time to enjoy your developmental years, explore your career, and learn about yourself.
One downside is that “in your 30s, and especially after 35, your fertility starts to decline, but it’s not absolute,” says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Yale University.
“If you’re still pretty busy with your career, or haven’t found your dream partner yet, don’t feel pressured to get pregnant just to have a baby,” says Dr. Minkin, “but you should also consider how many children you want to have.” That’s because fertility starts to decline in your late 30s.
Pregnancy between 35 and 39 years old
Those in their mid-to-late 30s should consult with their doctor before trying to conceive, as fertility begins to decline at age 32 and the process accelerates at age 37. The same trend applies to those undergoing fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Another downside to getting pregnant after 35 is the increased risk of complications. “Your health risks, like high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia, start to increase, and your incidence of chromosomal abnormalities also increases,” says Wendy C. Goodall McDonald, M.D., an obstetrician-gynecologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Of course, this isn’t true for everyone, and a healthy pregnancy is entirely possible.
If you have been trying to conceive for six months without success, consult a reproductive endocrinologist.
Pregnancy between 40 and 45 years of age
By age 40, a healthy person has about a 5% to 10% chance of becoming pregnant each menstrual cycle. Those over 40 are at higher risk for early pregnancy complications, such as ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage, says Dr. Anathe Brauer, director of IVF at Shady Grove Fertility in New York City.
There is also a higher chance of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, placenta previa, low birth weight, premature birth, and fetal mortality. The risk is further increased if you have pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity.
But just like in your late 30s, healthy pregnancies are possible at this age, and birth rates are on the rise in this age group. Plus, studies have shown that women who give birth after age 40 are four times more likely to live to age 100 than those who give birth at a younger age.
Key Points
There’s no right answer to the question, “What is the best age to get pregnant?” Biologically, the answer is probably in your early 20s, but this process is very personal and different for everyone. The best approach is to do what feels right for you, whatever that may be.
