Over the past decade, it has become more recurrent for people to start a family at an older age. Back in the 1900’s, it was very common for women to give birth in their early 20’s. Now, we see more and more people waiting until their 30’s, or sometimes even 40’s, to have their first child. This tells us that it is more than possible to experience a successful pregnancy in your 30’s!
Tips for How to Potentially Boost Fertility in Your Thirties
Of course, there are multiple techniques and ways to go about getting yourself ready for pregnancy. Some things might work for one person but not for another, and that’s okay! Let’s go over some of the most common ways to prepare for pregnancy after 30:
Construct a healthier diet- here’s a few popular recommendations:
- Low-fat dairy products
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Cereals
- Whole grains
- Lean and plant-based proteins
- Complex carbohydrates rich in fiber
- Foods with folic acid
Quit drinking alcohol
Though it is especially crucial to stop alcohol consumption when pregnant, it’s not a bad idea to pause the drinking before too. This is something you and your partner can do together as long-term, heavy use of alcohol may affect sperm motility in men.
Cut out the caffeine
When I say cut out the caffeine, I don’t mean completely, just maybe don’t have four cups of coffee in the morning anymore. There has been plenty of studies showing that over consumption of caffeine can potentially impair fertility.
Zero in on getting your weight in a healthy range
Your weight can impact your chance of getting pregnant, so living a healthy lifestyles will go a long way in your pregnancy journey. This doesn’t mean you need to go on a crazy diet, but if you are obese, your healthcare provider may recommend you focus on losing a few pounds before trying to get pregnant. Same with your partner, he should watch his BMI as well.
Make a workout plan that’s right for you
While we’re on the topic of weight loss and healthy lifestyle choices, exercise is a great solution. There is, however, controversy as to whether too much exercise is helpful or hurtful to your chances of getting pregnant. Some studies have found that intense exercise may hinder conception as it may cause you to skip ovulation or experience implantation failure. Other experts say that a little exercise goes a long way. There are so many ways to stay active without overdoing it. Try yoga or walking, for example.
Find ways to de-stress
Another great thing about yoga, is that it’s very calming. There are a bundle of things you could do though to help relieve stress. Find something that helps keep you calm that you enjoy and do more of that. Staying grounded and at peace is very important during this journey.
Track your cycle
Staying on top of knowing when your period is coming and when your ovulating can be a huge help when trying to conceive. There are many apps you can download on your phone or if your oldschool, track your cycle on a calendar!
Maintain a strong sex life
When trying to conceive, it’s easy to fall into headspace where sex becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable moment. Many recommend every other day as a good schedule, but talk to your partner about deciding how much time in the bedroom you think is necessary for your plan.
Get your partner on board with trying different tactics
The man’s role in planning for pregnancy plays a bigger part than a lot of people may realize.
Here’s a few things men can try:
1 Have him switch to boxers
Some studies have found that men who wear boxers have a higher sperm concentration and total sperm count than those who don’t. Of course there isn’t a 100% guarantee that doing this will make you pregnant, but there’s no harm in having your partner ditch the briefs for a bit.
2 Limit time in hot tubs
Heat can impair sperm formation so it’s best if your partner restricts his hot tub use for the time being. Limiting hot showers wont hurt either.
3 Avoid putting a laptop directly on his lap
Especially for long periods of time, your partner keeping a laptop on his lap is not good for his sperm either. His testicles should remain as cool as possible at all times to increase sperm production.
Potential Risks of Pregnancy After 30
There are always risks involved in trying to conceive/carrying out a pregnancy no matter what the circumstances are. Add your age on top of that, and more risks will come about. Although the threat of these things happening aren’t a given, it’s important to be aware of what to look out for. It’s always a safe practice to consult with your doctor about any of these possible occurrences:
- Chromosome problems
- Miscarriage
- High blood pressure
- Gestational diabetes
- Difficult labor
- Egg quantity
- Egg health
- Ectopic pregnancy and other health complications
Advantages of becoming a mother in your 30’s
- As you get older, you tend to get wiser. Being a mom is one of the hardest jobs in life, so having spent more time focusing on your personal growth can definitely play a huge role in being more prepared for parenthood.
- Along with being mentally prepared, you have probably had valuable time to establish your career, as compared to someone in their 20’s. Being financially stable will give you a huge step up for your next chapter of life, as kids tend to be very expensive.
- A big part of getting older is realizing that at the end of the day, you’re not getting any younger. It’s a common fear for parents to worry about how much time they will have with their child. However, an interesting study found that women who became first-time moms at or after age 33 have greater odds of living to age 95 more so than women who give birth at a younger age.
- You may be in better shape than you were in your ten years ago. Think about the average diet of a person in their early 20’s- probably consisted of ramen noodles and alcohol. Pregnancy can take a huge toll on your body, so having good health will not only help ease your pregnancy experience, but will also play a big role in your ability to take care of your child post birth.
- Kids can be a handful, there is no denying that. Parenthood can be both mentally and physically pressing at times. As mentioned before about having more time to work on bettering yourself before bringing a child into this world, can actually create a variety of benefits. There have been studies that found children of older mothers had fewer behavioral, social, and emotional problems than kids of younger mothers. Having a good head on your shoulders and being content in your own life will not only benefit you as a mom, but will help your child’s personal growth as well.
Need Help Planning for Pregnancy After 30?
Pregnancy is a unique thing because it is a different experience for everyone. Therefore, there is no “right” age to get pregnant, it’s really just a matter of when you and your partner are ready for that chapter of your life. Certainly the older you get, the more difficulties you may run into, but that’s not to say that it’s not possible. Though sometimes it may feel impossible, it can happen and many women are able to have a healthy pregnancy after 30.
