What is the best age to get pregnant, the best time? Women, who have become mothers, will surely have different views, and different experiences are important to understand a little more about the complex world of pregnancy and its complex aspects.
Basically, there are two data points to take into account:
- the biological data on the one hand;
- the data of practical life on the other.
These data in contemporary times do not seem to coincide, but rather recede. This is the reason why, in an age in which pregnancies can be wanted and planned, it is necessary for every woman to inform and listen to herself.
Each woman is affected by her own biological clock, to which it does not escape whether the time for procreation has already arrived or not, experiencing feelings of longing for this experience when she feels it is near or unease when she still feels it is far away.
These psychological aspects underlie future life choices. While some women are inclined to think that in their twenties they are at the most fertile and right time to get pregnant, others believe that even in their thirties is not the right time. Thus, comparing women’s orientations and expert opinion, it follows that there is no ideal and perfect age for getting pregnant, but that this responds to strictly individual experiences, circumstances, experiential and maturity levels.
The optimal time then is when a woman feels ready, physically, emotionally, mentally and financially, and this time varies greatly from person to person.
Undoubtedly, the different possible ages for getting pregnant have advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered. Benefits related not only to physical aspects, but also to family, financial, work and social aspects.
Let’s try to consider criteria for drawing fixed points that can possibly be shared by both women approaching parenthood and the experts who follow and assist new mothers.
Pregnancy within the first 20 years
Certainly, this young band, which is the most fertile from a physical point of view, is not advisable for most girls. In fact, the fertility of the reproductive system is generally not matched by a level of maturity that, having overcome the adolescent or childhood aspects, involves awareness of the responsibility and commitment represented by pregnancy and parenthood.
Pregnancy from 20 to 28 years old
In this age group, fertility is still at a high level, physical fitness good for dealing with a first pregnancy, with fairly rapid recovery times. Character can also be more established and aware of the commitment involved in procreation. A first child in this age group can be raised by a mother in good physical shape and in a period that is also more favorable in aspects of family stability and good economic condition.
Pregnancy from age 28 to 35
It is well known that once one reaches the age of 30 and particularly 35 there is a decrease in fertility, not as an absolute fact but as something to be taken into account if one wishes to give rise to a pregnancy.
In this age group, one must be aware of what one intends to do, whether one wishes to bring one or more children into the world, being careful that this choice is based on mature convictions and is not the result of reactivity or fears (such as not yet having a reliable partner, or being too far along in years).
Pregnancy from 37 years to 42 years
Pregnancy in this age group must take into account a drastic reduction in fertility levels, as well as the higher incidence of obstetrical problems that can also be risk factors for the unborn child. These are defined as “late” pregnancies that often require PMA interventions in order to occur, as well as close monitoring of their clinical course.
The major concerns regarding pregnancies in this age group are related to the various medical risks:
- Early complications of pregnancy;
- Ectopic (or also improperly called extrauterine) pregnancies;
- miscarriages;
- complications such as preeclampsia (gestosis), diabetes, placental problems-placenta pervia, low birth weight;
- preterm delivery;
- High fetal mortality rate.
