What is the Average Time to get Pregnant by Age?

Age is one of the most crucial factors that affects the average time a woman can take for conceiving. Besides this, there are other aspects too that should be considered while planning a pregnancy at any age. Given below are some of them: 

Egg quality

1. As women age, the quality and quantity of their eggs naturally decline. Egg quality refers to the ability of an egg to be fertilised and develop into a healthy embryo. Older eggs are more likely to have genetic abnormalities, which can lead to failed fertilisation, miscarriage, or birth defects.
2. Women are born with a finite number of eggs, and as they age, the number of eggs decreases, and the remaining eggs may have a higher likelihood of being abnormal. The decline in egg quality and quantity typically begins in a woman's late 20s or early 30s, with a sharper decline after the age of 35.
3. Therefore, age is an important factor to consider when it comes to a woman's fertility and the likelihood of achieving a successful pregnancy.

Habits like smoking and alcohol

1. Smoking has been shown to reduce the number of eggs a woman has, as well as their quality, which can make it more difficult for a woman to conceive. Smoking has also been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and preterm birth.
2. Alcohol consumption can also negatively affect fertility in older women. Heavy drinking has been linked to menstrual irregularities and can lead to a higher risk of infertility.
3. In addition, alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have severe consequences for the developing foetus, including foetal alcohol syndrome.

Medical conditions 

1. Medical issues such as PCOS, under reactive or overactive thyroid conditions, fibroids in the endometrium lining, pelvic inflammatory disease, STDs, cervical cancer and so on affects the average time to get pregnant by age.
2. As women age, they become more prone to these medical conditions that can negatively impact their ability to conceive and carry a healthy pregnancy.

Overall health 

1. Health issues such as overweight, underweight, excessive stress level, etc can lead to irregularity in the ovulation(15). These conditions can fluctuate the hormonal levels that eventually contribute to a disturbed ovulation cycle along with reduced sex drives. 

Sexual activity

1. While sexual activity itself does not directly affect fertility in older women, optimising the timing and frequency of intercourse during ovulation and addressing any issues related to vaginal dryness or discomfort can improve the chances of conception.
2. Practising safe sex and getting tested regularly for STIs can also help preserve fertility.

There is no precise answer to how long it takes to get pregnant as every woman's body works differently depending upon numerous factors such as age, genetics, health status,  etc. Also, there is no defined or right age to conceive unless a woman is menstruating. However, the experience of planning a baby in the early years is different than in the latter. 

Keep reading to uncover what pregnancy looks like in different age windows of the fertile years of life.

Conception in the 20s 

1. This duration suggests the average time to get pregnant by age between 20 to 29 years. The 20s are known to be a good time to plan the baby. During this phase, the chances of conception are high as the ovaries release eggs of good quality which are readily available to mate with the sperm. 
2. Also, in most women of this age, the menstrual cycles are more regular, which helps them track the ovulation date better to plan the days of intercourse accordingly. Further, the complications or risks associated with pregnancy are lower in the early 20s. 
3.  When the question is how long it will take to get pregnant during the 20s, the answer is always on the affirmative side, as shown by the studies. That is, the infertility rate for married women from 20-29 years of age was found to be as low as 7-9%. 

Conception in the 30s 

1. The average time to get pregnant by the age of about 30 years can increase. This is because fertility begins to decline at this stage in life. Around 32 years of age, the chances of conception begin to decrease, and they can reduce sharply once a woman is above 35.
2. As per a study, infertility ranges between 15-22 per cent in this age window. 
3. The average time of a 35-year-old to get pregnant by age can be more as compared to the 30-year-old as the egg reserves at this stage are depleted, i.e. left to just 2.5% out of the initial count.
4. The decline in fertility after 35 years is due to the rising insufficiency of the woman's system that releases older and less efficient eggs because all the fertile and efficient eggs are released during the 20s.
5. These eggs have higher chances of being genetically abnormal, resulting in complications during pregnancy which can be inclusive of miscarriages too. 
6. Also, there are also chances of babies suffering from medical conditions such as Down syndrome, stillbirth and other genetic anomalies. Women above 35 years of age are highly likely to suffer from health issues such as endometriosis and fibroids, which can negatively influence the chances of conception.
7. Getting pregnant in the late 30s can make a woman encounter bad health with complications such as preeclampsia, diabetes, etc. 

Conception in the 40s 

1. For women thinking of how long does it take to conceive in their 40s, they must know the fact that their chances of getting pregnant are as low as 5% in each menstrual cycle.
2. There is a severe decline in fertility here as this age window is a premenopausal phase of life, i.e. a woman will soon have menopause, where the ovaries do not have eggs to release each month. By 45, many women experience perimenopause symptoms, making it difficult to conceive naturally. 
3. The average time to get pregnant by age above 40 increases even more, and it's likely for a woman at this stage to suffer pregnancy complications similar to the ones in her late 30s. However, the only difference is the severity and probability of conception intricacies are higher at this age. 
4. Low birth weight, Down Syndrome, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriages, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, etc., are the more likely problems a woman can experience while trying to get pregnant during her 40s. 
5. It has been found that an Indian woman can get menopause at an age as low as 46.6 years. Once menopause is reached, it's almost impossible for women to get pregnant naturally. Thus, the chances of conception in the late 40s are the least. 
6. Every couple has the right to choose when to plan a child. However, knowing the advantages and disadvantages of conceiving early or late in life is essential before deciding on parenthood. Keep reading to know them. 

The average time to get pregnant by age below 30 years is less, i.e. possessing a higher likelihood of getting pregnant. Besides this, there is more to know about the boons and limitations early conception offers. 

Benefits 

1. A good quantity and quality of eggs exist in the initial years of menstruation. Hence a woman can give birth to a healthy child with the least or no complications. 
2. When asked how many months it takes to get pregnant at an early age, the answer is a maximum of 3 months of regular intercourse. Also, there is hardly any medical help required for young women for natural conception.

Drawback

1. There have been incidents reported of women of very young age not physically fit enough to carry a child.
2. It has been found that pregnant women below 20 years of age were at a high risk of death and other complications such as prolonged labour, continual bleeding while giving birth, haemorrhage, toxaemia, severe anaemia, and so on. 
3. Having a child at a young age can affect the individual's socioeconomic status. Most women or couples are not financially or emotionally strong enough to attain parenthood. As a result, it can lead to the deterioration of the child's physical and mental health. 

Benefits and Drawbacks of late conception 

Bearing a child at an elder stage of life in India is primarily due to a medical condition and rarely by choice. Though there are many disadvantages of late conception, there is also another side to this coin that features its benefits too. Keep reading to know the boons and the associated risks. 

Benefits 

1. As per a recent study, it has been found that older women tend to be more educated and aware of raising their children well. Also, older mothers have a more positive mindset about pregnancy and childbirth than younger, immature women.
2. Pregnancy later in life can bring in more financial and emotional stability. Older women or couples get time to build assets or educational backgrounds before conceiving. By the time they have a child, they are at a better stage to suffice adequate nutrition and other required elements for their newborn.  
3. Also, as per a recent study, having a child at the age of 40 reduces cognitive decline and increases lifespan.

Drawbacks

1. The answer to how many months does it take to get pregnant at an older age can be a little harsh as fertility declines with age.
2. Older women, especially those above 40 years of age, who are unable to conceive for about six months, can suffer from fertility issues. Also, in most cases, it is unlikely to get pregnant naturally. 
3. Most women above 40 years are required to seek medical help to monitor their pregnancy throughout the gestation phase until the child is born. This is because such women have higher chances of encountering complications that can be fatal for the child as well as for the mother. 

There are some beneficial ways a woman must know to increase her chances of getting pregnant at any age. However, at the same time it's important to know that nothing could help if she has already attained menopause. 

Right nutrition 

1. A balanced diet with proper quantities of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and other essential nutrients is important to keep the hormonal levels in the expected range.
2. Moreover the right nutrition affects the regularity of the menstrual cycle and the quality of eggs. Also, it's important to consume folic acid every day along with multivitamins (if required or prescribed by the doctor) to have a healthy pregnancy. 

Proper sleep 

1. Increased stress level or inadequate sleep results in hormonal imbalance which is linked to infertility in women. Thus, it's important to incorporate habits for reducing stress such as relaxation exercises.
2. Also, having sufficient sleep for about 6-8 hours is crucial when a woman is trying to conceive. 

Physical activities 

1. Physical activities such as moderate exercises can have a positive effect on fertility.
2. These activities can help a woman maintain a right weight and avoid health complications such as obesity which is found to negatively influence the reproductive system. 
3. A routine of mild to moderate exercises including yoga can help to not only have a healthy conception but also ease the troubles at the time of labour. 

Hydration

1. Hydration also has a role to play for promoting fertility and increasing a woman's chances of conception. It is suggested to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day while planning a pregnancy.
2. The reason behind this is hydration helps in effectively flushing out the waste products from the body which eventually results in better quality of the cervical fluid.
3. The fertile or healthy cervical fluid works in facilitating the sperms to travel smoothly to the egg. 

A perception of conceiving in later years of life is something that might not be suitable for all women. The reason behind this is that fertility tends to decline with age. Hence, it becomes essential to focus on the average time to get pregnant by age, as age is one of those factors that cannot be controlled. Also, the reproductive years of life are limited, and a woman can have a healthy conception only when she plans a child in the duration when she is most fertile.

Fertility-related problems can happen to anyone, and it's completely normal to seek medical assistance whenever required. What's more important for women is to consult a doctor at the right time when she notices some unusual signs related to their reproductive health. 

Considering HexaHealth for this can prove to be really valuable as the team of professionals at this platform serves the best of healthcare. Get in touch with us for the most promising medical consultations, treatments or therapies.