This was the question asked by researchers at an Australian university. They also discovered that having a family was equally crucial to male and female students and that many were keen to have kids before fertility levels declined. Less than 10% of the students didn't want kids, while amongst those who did, three-quarters were eager to have two or more children. However, before having kids, they also expected to achieve specific life goals. Despite their keenness to become parents, researchers found that less than half were able to correctly say when women's fertility levels declined, while even fewer were aware when a man's fertility dropped.
Just 45% of women and 38% of men were able to correctly identify the age at which women's fertility significantly falls. Only16.9% of women and 18.3% of men could accurately say when a man's fertility levels decline. Incidentally, the rates at which fertility begins to drop significantly are 35 to 39 for women, and 45 to 49 for men.
Researchers also discovered that the students rated being in a stable relationship as one of the most important factors before they became parents. As the burden of childcare still mostly falls on women, it's hardly a surprise that female students considered completing their studies and building a career that could be combined with having kids or having access to good childcare as critical.
The outcome of the study did concern researchers because even though most students wanted to have children, many also had an unrealistic expectation as to how much they could achieve before parenthood. When all their other life goals were considered, it was questionable as to whether these could be achieved before the optimum age for parenthood. Researchers feel that more needs to be done to educate young people about fertility and to encourage them to become parents at an age when is it is biologically easier to achieve.
The problem of infertility
Infertility affects millions of couples in the United States, and it's estimated between 10%, and 18% of those trying to start a family will experience difficulties getting pregnant or carrying a baby to term. It's estimated female infertility is a factor approximately one-third of the time, as is male infertility. The remaining third is sometimes due to a combination of male and female problems or is unknown.
Although male infertility may be quite straightforward to diagnose, it's not the same for female infertility, but the good news is many treatments can help. Also, many couples will go on to conceive a child without needing treatment. Although infertility is defined as failing to get pregnant after a year of trying, many couples who have been diagnosed as infertile will successfully conceive in two years.
When to seek help
Knowing when to seek professional help is essential, and for women aged up to 35, most healthcare providers recommend trying to conceive for at least a year before going for testing or treatment. Women aged between 35 and 40 should seek help after six months of trying.
If you are trying to conceive after the age of 40, it's worth seeing your doctor for testing and treatment straight away. Other times when you should seek treatment immediately include having suffered from endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, having had irregular or painful periods, or if you have had repeated miscarriages in the past. Several factors are essential for a successful pregnancy.
Successful pregnancy
Firstly, you must ovulate, and your doctor can carry out tests to evaluate your menstrual cycles and to confirm you are ovulating. Secondly, your partner must produce sperm, and your doctor can soon confirm this by carrying out a simple test to evaluate if he is producing healthy sperm. Thirdly, regular sex is obviously important, and it can be useful to know when you are at your most fertile. Your doctor can help determine the optimum times for conception. Finally, your fallopian tubes and uterus must be healthy, and again this can be assessed through testing and examinations.
If you are hoping to have a baby quite soon, then there are things you can do to help improve your chances of conception. Try to maintain a healthy weight or lose or gain weight if necessary. If you smoke, then quit straightaway, because it has numerous detrimental effects on fertility and you'll have to give up smoking once you become pregnant. Other factors that can be helpful include avoiding alcohol and try to reduce any stress in your life.
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