Pregnancy and Fertility

Pre-pregnancy counselling will give you time to set yourself up for the best chances of getting pregnant and being in the best health – working on exercise, nutrition, quitting smoking, drugs, and alcohol.

During preconception counselling, your provider will a look at look at the bigger picture of your lifestyle, medical conditions and treatment, your age, timelines for pregnancy, and if those timelines make sense from a reproductive standpoint.

Advanced maternal age is considered at 35 years old and over. If you’re delaying pregnancy until a later age, speak with your healthcare provider to understand any potential risks and what it takes to have a healthy pregnancy.

There is a drop in fertility around age 33 to 35 when a chance of pregnancy is about 1 in 5. Fertility declines after that and by age 40 the chance of pregnancy is about 1 in 20.

Couples under age 35, who are healthy and have no history of gynecologic problems, should see a reproductive endocrinology specialist for a fertility workup after trying one year to conceive without success. If over 35, see a fertility specialist after 6 months of trying.

Risks go up around age 35 and are higher for women over 40. The majority of women will be fine but it’s important to be aware of these potential risk factors. Additional risk factors include: genetic abnormalities; gestational diabetes; preeclampsia (high blood pressure); having a baby with low birth weight or growth restriction; and needing a c-section or an emergency intervention during childbirth.

Lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, focusing on a healthy and balanced diet, and staying active will not only increase your chances of getting pregnant but also of having a healthy pregnancy. Ultimately the goal is to have a healthy, full-term baby, and activities prior to getting pregnant and during pregnancy can make a big difference.