Fertility facts
Fertility in 30 and 40 year old women has been going up for more than three decades. In 1977, women aged 25-29 were twice as likely to give birth as women aged 30-34. However, in 2007, women aged 30-34 had the highest fertility of any age group.
Now, 20 somethings have also experienced small increases in fertility over the past five years. This represents a reversal of the trend of falling fertility at these younger ages during the 1980s and 1990s.
The average (mean) age of giving birth in the UK is now 29.3 (versus 28.6 in 2001), as fertility is currently rising faster among women over 30 than among younger women.
So total fertility in the UK is currently increasing, but it is reported that 1 in 7 couple buck this trend and have problems conceiving. What can and should you be doing if you fall into this category?
Normal fertility and conception
Hormones produced by a gland in the brain cause the ovaries to release the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Oestrogen and progesterone cause one of the ovaries to release an egg that travels along the fallopian tube towards the womb, sperm swim up from the vagina, and one sperm fertilises the egg in the transit in the fallopian tube. The fertilised egg then travels on to the womb.
Oestrogen and progesterone thicken the endometrium (lining of the womb) and increase its blood supply. The fertilised egg can implant in the lining, where it grows and develops. If pregnancy doesn't occur, the levels of oestrogen and progesterone drop. The lining of the womb and the egg are shed as a period (menstruation). The drop in oestrogen re-starts the cycle.
Increase your chances of getting pregnant
There are some very simple things that you can do to increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Try these first then if you’re still having problems consult your GP.
Have sex regularly
If you have sex 2-3 times a week, you have about a 20 to 30 per cent chance of conceiving in any month. A healthy couple can take up to two years to conceive:
Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) statistics
* 30 per cent of couples conceive within a month of starting to try for a baby.
* 75 per cent conceive within six months.
* 90 per cent conceive within a year.
* 95 per cent conceive within two years.
Have sex around ovulation
Ovulation occurs around 14 days before the next period, count back 14 days from your next expected period for perfect baby making.
Healthy eating
Make sure that you and your partner are eating a balanced and nutritious diet and that you are not over or underweight (a Body Mass Index of 19-25 is ideal, your BMI can be calculated by dividing your weight in kilos by your height in cm squared. Less than 19 is underweight and more than 25 is overweight). Eat a varied diet containing lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, and bread, potatoes, rice and other cereals (wholegrain, where possible), milk and dairy products, lean meat, fish and other sources of protein. See our Recipes and Nutrition section for more information.
Cut out/down alcohol: government advice for women trying to conceive is to avoid all alcohol. Men shouldn't drink more than 3 or 4 units a day.
Give up smoking: smoking is linked to infertility, early menopause in women, and sperm problems in men.
Exercise: regular moderate exercise will help keep you fit, maintain a healthy weight and be ready to conceive.
Keep your partner cool: the testicles hang outside the main body to keep them cool. Keep them this way for best sperm production by keeping his clothes loose and his baths on the cool side.
Take folic acid: it prevents birth defects such as spina bifida so take a supplement of 400mcg of folic acid a day. Do not take a general multivitamin tablet as these contain vitamin A which is harmful to a developing baby. A specific pregnancy multivitamin is needed.
Check any medication: Any medicines or drugs may affect your fertility. Talk to your GP about them.
STIs: Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea can affect fertility. Talk to your GP about this.
Article copyright YourDoc Medical Ltd 2010. All rights reserved.
