Pros & Cons of Having A Baby in Your 20s & 30s

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Eyinade Eweje

What’s the perfect age bracket to have babies? Though experts say a woman’s egg quality and fertility peaks between age 20 – 24, relationship issues, financial, career or educational objectives, fertility issues and personal whim are some key factors that delay child bearing till the early to late thirties or beyond in some cases.

Whether you choose to have babies in your twenties, wait till your thirties or forties, there are pros and cons that come with each age category you might want to consider. Find out what you need to know, become better informed, weigh your options and decide what’s best for you.

YOUR 20s

Although seven percent of women in their twenties do have problems with conception, biologically, it’s the most ideal age bracket to conceive. Here’s why:

1. Healthier Ovarian Reserve, Less Complications

Women are born with a lifetime supply of eggs for procreation. These eggs decrease in number with age, so also does the percentage of genetically normal eggs, which causes decline in fertility, increased risk of genetic defects and miscarriage.

In your twenties, there’s usually an abundant supply of healthy eggs in your ovaries. This makes it relatively easier to conceive within a short period, and reduces the risk of spontaneous miscarriage and defects such as Down Syndrome. Statistics show women in their twenties have twenty to twenty-five percent chance of conceiving per month. While those in their early twenties will usually conceive after four to five months of trying, it’ll take those in their late twenties an average of six to seven months.

They’re also less likely than older women to have pregnancy induced high blood pressure, diabetes, a premature or low-birth-weight baby.

2. Vaginal Delivery

A recent March of Dimes study revealed that vaginal birth is 80 percent likely in women in their 20s. This drops to 40 and 43 percent in the 30s and 40s respectively. Experts say women in their twenties are more prone to vaginal birth because their bodies have more muscle tone in the uterus and abs, making pushing easier.

3. Faster Recovery

You’re young with lots of youthful energy, probably lead a quite active lifestyle and your body is a lot more flexible than it will be in your thirties or forties. These will help you deal better with the rigours of pregnancy and childbirth as well as make the recovery process easier and faster. At this age your body has a very high tendency to bounce back to its pre-pregnancy state.

4. Grand Kids Sooner

Starting early means you took such huge responsibilities in your prime but it also means you get to ‘retire’ earlier. You’ll also probably have a grandchild or more when most of your friends are still anticipating their first child’s convocation.

Cons

Your Finance and Career

You probably don’t have a reasonable amount of savings nor investments to fall back on in your twenties. You’re also not as secure in your career as you’d be in your thirties or forties, so, the future doesn’t look taken already, especially if your spouse is in the same league with you.

Note that if you’re in your twenties and have been trying to conceive for twelve months, you should see a gynaecologist or fertility expert for thorough evaluation. Your spouse must also be evaluated.

YOUR EARLY 30s

Between 30 – 34, your chances of conceiving each month drops to fifteen percent, though there’s still not much to fret about. If you’re healthy, your energy level and fertility are still quite high, so also is the quality of the eggs in your ovaries, which means your risk of having a baby born with genetic defects is only slightly higher than in your late twenties. It may take an average of seven to twelve months to conceive.

Pros

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Women in their thirties are usually better prepared both financially and emotionally to handle the responsibilities of motherhood. They should still have a good number of viable eggs, therefore still likely to have a healthy baby without assisted conception and bounce back to their pre-pregnancy state.

Cons

Though the early thirties is still prime for pregnancy, as stated earlier, the risk of complications and infertility issues may increase, especially where there are already pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

MID TO LATE THIRTIES

Though experts say age 35 is a real turning point as far as fertility and conception is concerned, quality preconception and prenatal care can help identify or prevent potential risks so you and your baby are healthy. Here’s what you need to know:

Multiple Birth

Apart from the fact that mums in this category are usually more established in their chosen career, entitled to longer maternity leave to recover and stay with their baby, better prepared both financially and emotionally for the demands ahead, they are also more likely to conceive multiples.

Statistics show that while one in 16 pregnancies in mums in their twenties results into twins, one in five does in mums between 35 and 39. As a result of decline in the number of viable eggs in the ovaries, an older woman’s body produces more follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to facilitate ovulation. It’s therefore likely that more than one egg is released and fertilised.

It could also be due to the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as ovarian stimulating drugs and in-vitro fertilization (IVF). About 44 percent of ART pregnancies result in twins, and about five (5) in triplets or more.

For some women, a multiple birth at this age does it once and for all; their dream family in one pregnancy, however, further complications may arise.

Get help immediately if you’re in your late thirties and haven’t conceived in six months. Your gynaecologist or fertility specialist will run tests to determine if there is an underlying problem or not and offer professional counselling and care.

No matter what age bracket you choose, leading a healthy lifestyle and seeking quality medical care before, during and after your pregnancy usually affords women of all ages a healthy pregnancy, delivery and baby with minimal hassles.