No, 36 is not inherently "too old" to have a baby, as many women have healthy pregnancies at this age and older, but it's considered "advanced maternal age" because risks for certain complications gradually increase, though modern prenatal care manages these well, and many healthy people still have smooth pregnancies. A healthy lifestyle and good medical care are key, as risks like chromosomal issues or high blood pressure rise slightly, but individual health matters most, notes NewYork-Presbyterian - Health Matters.
Down syndrome occurs in people of all races and economic levels. The risk increases with the mother's age (1 in 1250 for a 25 year old mother to 1 in 1000 at age 31, 1 in 400 at age 35, and about 1 in 100 at age 40). However, 80% of babies with Down syndrome are born to women under age 35 years.
At 20 weeks of pregnancy, a female fetus has 6–7 million of eggs. By the time the woman is 30 years, she will have lost nearly 90% of her eggs and at the age of 40 years, only around 3% of eggs are left. Most women are no longer able to become naturally pregnant in their mid-40s.
A woman's peak reproductive years are between the late teens and late 20s. By age 30, fertility (the ability to get pregnant) starts to decline. This decline happens faster once you reach your mid-30s. By 45, fertility has declined so much that getting pregnant naturally is unlikely.
The number of eggs decreases as women get older. At birth, most girls have about 2 million eggs, at adolescence that number has gone down to about 400, 000, at age 37 there remain about 25,000. By age 51 when women have their menopause they have about 1000 immature eggs but these are not fertile.
The woman's age has a crucial importance for egg quality. This fact cannot be emphasized enough. Studies have shown that the ability to have children for women aged 36 are only half as good as in women who are 20 years of age. For women of 39 years of age, chances are further halved compared to the 36-year-old.
In Your 20s: The late teens through mid-20s are often considered a woman's most fertile years. During this period, the chances of conception per cycle are at their peak. A healthy woman in her early 20s might have roughly a 25% chance of getting pregnant in any given menstrual cycle.
How Do I Know If I'm Fertile Enough To Get Pregnant?
It might take longer to get pregnant.
As you reach your mid- to late 30s, the eggs decrease in quantity and quality. Also, as you get older, your eggs aren't fertilized as easily as they were when you were younger.
The main symptom of infertility is not getting pregnant. There may be no other clear symptoms. Some women with infertility may have irregular menstrual periods or no periods. And some men may have some symptoms of hormonal problems, such as changes in hair growth or sexual function.
Jennifer Aniston underwent IVF treatments throughout her late 30s and 40s, a challenging period where she tried everything to conceive, eventually continuing into her early 50s, ultimately deciding to share her private fertility struggle years later in an interview with Allure.
A low ovarian reserve isn't obvious. In fact, the only symptoms — difficulty getting pregnant, heavy periods, and miscarriages — are also common signs of other conditions, so you can't rely on them alone to tell if your egg supply is low.
Fertility tests for women
We evaluated 3,419 cases of Down syndrome in a 15-year period and found that the incidence of Down syndrome is influenced by paternal age. Paternal age has an effect on Down syndrome but only in mothers 35 years old and older.
Advanced maternal age describes a woman who is 35 or older and pregnant. You're more at risk for complications like miscarriage and having a baby with a congenital disorder.
Although women older than 35 years of age make up a small portion of all births6 in the United States each year, about one half of babies with Down syndrome are born to women in this age group. This likelihood increases as age increases.
The following are the usual sleep needs per 24 hours for newborns through 2 years old: Newborns to first few months: 16 to 17 hours. 4 to 12 months: 12 to 16 hours. 1 to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours.
Your age affects the health of your eggs. Women reach the peak of their fertility at around age 24. After this age, egg quality slowly deteriorates until around age 37, and then deteriorates more rapidly until about age 42. After roughly age 42, fertility for most women basically falls off a cliff.
Scientists have theorized that a low waist-to-hip ratio is associated with heightened fertility. That is, women with an hourglass figure are more likely to be able to conceive a child.
Four common signs of ovulation are changes in cervical mucus (becoming clear, stretchy, like egg whites), mild lower abdominal pain or cramping (mittelschmerz), a slight increase in basal body temperature, and an increased libido or sex drive, though not everyone experiences all these signs. Other indicators can include breast tenderness, bloating, light spotting, or mood changes, as hormonal shifts prepare the body for a potential pregnancy.
Give yourself an extra fertility boost by upping your intake of these foods:
Preliminary research suggests that regular workouts may actually improve reproductive function and boost fertility: A study in Obstetrics & Gynecology concluded that women who exercised 30 minutes or more daily had a reduced risk of infertility due to ovulation disorders.
Age and Male Fertility
It's still possible to get pregnant over 35, but your fertility declines as you age. You're also at risk for health concerns when you're of advanced maternal age. You're more likely to have a miscarriage and gestational diabetes during your pregnancy.