You're 35, standing at the crossroads of aspirations and reality, eager to start your journey into parenthood. But just as you're about to take your first step, a doctor's cautionary words about “advanced maternal age”—meaning pregnancy at 35 years or older—seem to echo louder than your enthusiasm. Suddenly the future feels uncertain; but don’t despair, the spotlight is on dispelling four widespread myths that have cast a shadow over the prospect of conceiving at age 35 and beyond.
1. Fertility Drops Sharply at 35
The topic of fertility often invokes a sense of urgency, especially for women and birthing parents as they age. While conventional wisdom suggests a decline in fertility as women approach their mid-30s, the narrative isn’t as dire as it seems. Understanding the nuances of fertility and exploring alternative perspectives can open doors to hope and proactive measures for those wanting to conceive.
A commonly held belief is that fertility takes a nosedive at the age of 35. It’s essential to debunk this notion of a sudden drop. The truth is, there’s a slower and gradual decline, which accelerates closer to 40. This decline is associated with a decrease in the quantity and quality of eggs in one’s ovaries.
Contrary to the idea that conception becomes an impossible feat, numerous people experience successful pregnancies well into their late 30s and even 40s. It’s a testament to the uniqueness of each individual's reproductive journey.
Venturing beyond the confines of Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a distinctive viewpoint on fertility. Instead of fixating solely on age, TCM emphasizes the body’s holistic well-being, often through the lens of qi, which is the life force energy. In this paradigm, fertility hinges on restoring qi and balance within the body at any age. By building your foundational qi, you can achieve an internal youthful environment and improve ovarian function and egg quality to help increase fertility success. Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle modifications can enhance that vital force at 35 years and older to regain control over reproductive health.
Modern research sheds light on the role of specific nutrients like CoQ10, melatonin, NAD+, and other nutrients that can enhance egg quality, which is vital at 35 or older. These supplements offer a promising avenue for people seeking to positively influence their fertility trajectories.
2. Natural Conception Is Unlikely
Contrary to the discouraging outlook often presented by doctors regarding conceiving naturally after 35, you can boost your chances for both conception and a healthy baby by addressing three key factors.
a) Support healthy cell division: This can be achieved by providing nutrients that foster healthy cell division and DNA repair. Fertility involves rapidly dividing cells with egg and sperm maturation in the early stages of embryo development. The success of cell division and the ability to repair mistakes along the way is heavily weighted on whether you can supply your body with the proper nutrients. A methylated prenatal vitamin for women and a methylation multivitamin for men is one easy way to do just that. Methylated vitamins that contain nutrients in their active form, such as methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF), methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12), and pyridoxine 5’-phosphate (active B6) are vital for optimal cell function in both men and women.
b) Address male factors: Sperm quality is essential to pregnancy success, considering the male factor is a prominent part of whether a couple will conceive naturally or not. Improving sperm count, motility (how well sperm can move), and shape (morphology) can be attained by eating a diet high in antioxidants and avoiding toxins, alcohol, cigarettes, and recreational drugs. Additionally, supplementing with male-specific nutrients, such as zinc, selenium, and CoQ10, can improve sperm quality and increase fertility outcomes.
c) Take an integrative treatment approach: Integrating the best of Western, Eastern, and holistic treatments can create the right combination of support needed for success for anyone, including those 35 or older. We live in a time where incredible strides in healthcare have been made; there is access to supportive prenatal care and fertility treatments (both conventional and natural) to use at your disposal for success. Age doesn't have to be a roadblock. With the right support and a bit of optimism, you can defy the odds and make your dreams of parenthood a reality.
3. Babies Will Have Health Issues
With proper medical attention, healthy diet and lifestyle choices, an adequate amount of folic acid in the methylated form to reduce neural tube defects such as spina bifida, and regular prenatal care, many people in this age group successfully have healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy babies.
4. Fertility Treatments Are Your Only Option
While conventional fertility treatments have been instrumental in realising the parenthood aspirations of many, it's vital to acknowledge their limitations. Typically targeting specific medical issues like ovulation irregularities or sperm deficiencies, these treatments may overlook the intricate web of factors influencing fertility. Alternatively, lifestyle choices, nutritional habits, environmental exposures, stress management, and emotional health are all significant contributors to reproductive success. Neglecting these holistic elements could potentially hinder the efficacy of conventional approaches.
Integrative treatments shine a light of hope for those in their mid-30s and beyond, emphasising resilience and proactive steps. By partnering with healthcare experts, hopeful parents can craft personalised plans to suit their individual journeys. With this tailored care and unwavering dedication, the path to welcoming a baby after 35 isn't just a possibility, it's a beautiful reality waiting to unfold.
