Can the old saying that the biological clock is ticking be true? In fact, there is truth in that adage. In the early childbearing years, women have a better chance of conceiving. There are many reasons for this.
A woman begins life with a finite amount of eggs. Even though these eggs may number close to one million, only a few of them are actually in perfect condition for creating a baby. Unfortunately, once a woman begins her period, that group of eggs in her ovaries begin to die off. As she grows older, her eggs continue to decrease. Sometimes, a woman may produce more than one egg during ovulation possibly increasing the chances of pregnancy and in fact, a multiples pregnancy however those eggs aren't always of ideal quality.
Another reason why it is more difficult for women to get pregnant as they age is because their egg quality diminishes. Eggs must be strong to achieve fertilization and become a healthy embryo. Egg quality is always best in a woman at a young age and as she gets older, the eggs become weaker.
Egg quality is measured by a FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) test on day 3 of the menstrual cycle. This test is conducted by taking a blood sample. Levels of ten or lower are considered normal. Anything above 25 is an abnormal level. Doctors say that levels from ten to twenty-five are borderline women that fall within this range may have problems conceiving, but pregnancy is still a good possibility.
Does this mean that women in their early 40's will never get pregnant? That is not always the case. Several women in their 40's will become pregnant and have a healthy baby, but chances are that there will be problems in conceiving. A woman at 40 will probably have more problems becoming pregnant she would have had at age twenty. Her eggs won't be as tough and healthy and there she will have fewer of them. However, with a doctors care and fertility medications, it is possible to get pregnant.
A woman begins life with a finite amount of eggs. Even though these eggs may number close to one million, only a few of them are actually in perfect condition for creating a baby. Unfortunately, once a woman begins her period, that group of eggs in her ovaries begin to die off. As she grows older, her eggs continue to decrease. Sometimes, a woman may produce more than one egg during ovulation possibly increasing the chances of pregnancy and in fact, a multiples pregnancy however those eggs aren't always of ideal quality.
Another reason why it is more difficult for women to get pregnant as they age is because their egg quality diminishes. Eggs must be strong to achieve fertilization and become a healthy embryo. Egg quality is always best in a woman at a young age and as she gets older, the eggs become weaker.
Egg quality is measured by a FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) test on day 3 of the menstrual cycle. This test is conducted by taking a blood sample. Levels of ten or lower are considered normal. Anything above 25 is an abnormal level. Doctors say that levels from ten to twenty-five are borderline women that fall within this range may have problems conceiving, but pregnancy is still a good possibility.
Does this mean that women in their early 40's will never get pregnant? That is not always the case. Several women in their 40's will become pregnant and have a healthy baby, but chances are that there will be problems in conceiving. A woman at 40 will probably have more problems becoming pregnant she would have had at age twenty. Her eggs won't be as tough and healthy and there she will have fewer of them. However, with a doctors care and fertility medications, it is possible to get pregnant.
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