Imagine this scenario. A young couple in their late 20’s early 30’s enters the consulting room of a gynaecologist. The women is having some vaginal infection and needs a gynaecological opinion. The gynaecologist examines and gives appropriate treatment. The couple thank the doctor and before leaving the room the women asks “doctor May I ask you one more question” “sure” says the doctor.
“We are both 29 yrs old and have just married a few months back, how much time can we wait more before having a baby. You see we are still financially not settled and would like to wait couple of more years but the family is insisting on having a baby. What is your opinion? ”
Well this is the story of modern India. Better education opportunities, women empowerment, rising costs and high standard of living are leading to late age at marriage and prolonged career goals. Couples now want to be independent, well settled financially before they have a baby. All this perfectly make sense and therefore we find more and more women having their first child in their late 20’s and early 30’s. But unfortunately God had planned it some other way. A women’s maximum fertility potential (Ability to conceive) as per Gods planning is between 18-28 years of age. Thereafter it starts falling and beyond 35 years there is a drastic reduction in fertility potential.
It has to be remembered here that this is a general rule. Some women may easily conceive even at 40 and some women have difficulty even at 22. One has to understand that before planning or postponing planning there are few factors which may be taken into account- some scientific and some practical.
So this is the checklist for all those couples planning to postpone the pregnancy by a few years:
Also surgeries in male partner – like inguinal (groin) hernias, hydrocele or varicocoele surgery, any testicular trauma (while playing football,cricket) may lead to fault with the sperm count and motility.
Therefore if either of the partner has a significant surgical history, think twice before delaying pregnancy.
Also medications that are not safe during pregnancy could be converted to pregnancy safe medications way before planning the pregnancy. These are some essential points that should be considered before planning.
Now a days in addition to young men we find lots of young women who are smokers. Smoking may cause irreversible damage to the gametes. Stopping tobacco may not reverse the effect but stop the damage immediately.
It is well known that obesity leads to suppression of reproductive function in both men and women. Also the rate of miscarriage and preterm delivery are also more if the pregnant women is obese. Obesity may also predispose you to high BP, diabetes and heart disease at a very young age.
So if you are planning a pregnancy, please start a good diet and exercise regimen. This applies not only to the women but also to the men. A healthy couple will not only produce a healthy fetus but will be able to give birth to a healthy baby and raise a healthy child.
If none of the above points are relevant in your case and you want to plan a pregnancy at the later date, we would advise you to visit a gynaecologist and get some tests done. A routine examination and tests like basic hormonal profile (TSH/prolactin/CBC), an ultrasonography (USG) pelvis and Semen analysis need to be performed before taking any decision. Abnormality in any of these may need immediate attention and treatment so that it does nor worsen by the time you start planning.
We advise all young couple who are planning to get married and who are just married to go through all the above points carefully and take appropriate action towards them. For some it may just be minor changes, few may require expert help from a dietician or gynaecologist or a physician. Young adult of our country are now capable of taking their own decisions, but it may occasionally be needed that one pays attention to what adults and experts advice. Taking a calculated decision will help to avoid any dejections and failure in future.
Infertility clinics now a days are full of young adults wanting to have a child just because the right time was missed. Some repent there was no one to guide them while some did not pay heed to early signs and symptoms. Science has advanced so much that today we can make a 60 year old lady also pregnant, but if one takes out few years of their hectic schedules to give birth to a child, it will save you from all the mental, financial and physical stress involved in the infertility treatment.
Our job as a doctor is to inform and educate you. Finally which path to choose will be the couple’s decision. Thinking wisely before making any decisions will avoid a lot of complications in your life.