The Age Factor

Here we are discussing that dreaded word...age..
yes we like to think of it as a number sadly however it does have an impact on fertility and consequences of age can impact on pregnancy and birth but it is not as dire as the medical profession wants us to think.
Between 41 and 45 years of age  only a small percentage of ovulatory cycles are fertile compare to 50% in the 18 to 25 yr age group (Trewinnard K Dr 1999 table pge 58) and 80% in the 26 to 40 year age group.
At age 40 there is a  risk of conceiving a baby with Downs Syndrome as 1 in 30 babies,and at  45 years plus that increases to 1 in 12 babies,but this is exactly that a risk assessment.Other factors filter in this such as maternal genetic history, ages of menopause in maternal mother and grandmother,health of the ova, overall maternal fitness, lifestyle choices.
If a woman  over 40 falls pregnant ,there is no need for doom and gloom many of the risks are associated with the overall maternal health. health status often deteriorates with age but if a woman leads a healthy lifestyle and is in overall good health pregnancy can be achieved and overall the risks are just that risks which also affect younger age groups at any one time...
Age is not the only factor which governs conception,pregnancy and birth