There is a lot of talk in the media about the decline in a woman’s fertility over time and as a result, there is much discussion around the different ways to gain control of the biological clock. First, let’s set the biological clock straight – does female fertility “fall off a cliff” as Kristie Allsopp suggests in The Guardian or is it more of a gradual decline? The truth is, our fertility decline is somewhere in between. Throughout our twenties all the way to menopause a woman’s fertility will gradually decline; however, somewhere around the age of 35 – and this point varies woman to woman – fertility does begin to decline at a faster rate making it more difficult to conceive.
Read the full article: Ditch the university and have a baby by 27.
“Reverse the Order: Child, then Career”
After witnessing the heartache of friends struggling to conceive, Allsopp’s advice for women is: “don’t go to university, start work straight after school, live at home to save money, find a nice boyfriend, and have a baby by the time you are 27.” Her advice to reverse the order – child first, then career – is a proactive approach to prevent age-related female fertility. But is switching the order of personal life goals the only way to gain control of future family building options?
Ways to Gain Control of Future Family Building Options
Egg freezing offers is a reliable alternative for proactive women who don’t want age to dictate personal life goals and decisions. While both egg freezing and Allsopp’s advice offer the same goal, having a baby, it is important for women to proactively discuss or consider future family building options with their physician.
By freezing ones eggs, a woman has the ability to essentially extend her future fertility potential. Due to the relation of age and egg quantity and quality, at Shady Grove Fertility, egg freezing is available for women ages 30-40, but it is most reliable when frozen in the early to mid 30s.
For Shady Grove Fertility patient, Melanie, “My frozen eggs are an insurance policy in case ‘plan A’ doesn’t work. Dating isn’t easy and I still have a clear picture of what I’m looking for in regards to a family. But my decision to freeze my eggs has put the pressure of the biological clock on hold.”
Personal Decision Based on Timing, Biology and Statistics
As stated by Nick Raine-Fenning, clinical associate professor in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at University of Nottingham, in the Washington Post, “having a family is a very personal decision and the timing is just as important. Neither should be influenced by age, but we cannot ignore biology and statistics.” While some women who freeze their eggs may not use them in the future by getting pregnant naturally, it is a great option for women who want to have a baby when the timing is right.
Read the Full Washington Post Article: No, women’s fertility doesn’t ‘drop off a cliff’ at 35.
Take the Next Steps
- Fill out this form to schedule an appointment or for more information, or call 1-877-411-9292
- Learn more about egg freezing and financial options: Archived Webinar
- SGF Egg Freezing Patient Story: Melanie: Hope in the future restored
This Week in Egg Freezing – Recent Articles
- The Washington Post: No, Women’s Fertility Doesn’t Drop off a Cliff at Age 35
- The Guardian: Kristie Allsopp Tells Women: ditch University, and have a baby by 27
- Daily Life: The Truth About Fertility After the Age of 35
- Shape Magazine: Pregnancy After 35 May be Less Risky than We Thought
