Seven Things Fertility Expert Prof Tim Child Wants You To Understand About Fertility

Lauren Taylor from irishnews.com speaks to leading fertility expert, Professor Tim Child and this is what they have to say.

If you are a woman over the age of 35 and you have not yet bore a child then you have definitely heard warnings about not waiting too long.

Don’t you just wish your body didn’t have a ticking clock? There are many factors that can affect women from falling pregnant when they might feel ready to have a baby.

“The majority of people don’t feel in a position to start a family until later than ever before,” says Professor Tim Child of Oxford Fertility (oxfordfertility.co.uk). “There are now more women giving birth in their 40s than in their 20s and the average age of a [first time] mother is now 30.3 years. Men are also ‘delaying’ fatherhood, with the average age of a first time dad now 32.9.”

So what does an expert have to say about the issue?

1. Sure, age plays a part – but it’s more complex than that

2. Infertility affects men just as much as women

3. You can take practical steps to understand your own fertility

4. Lifestyle matters

5. But some things really make no difference

“We are often told to relax when trying for a baby, which can be hard if you are experiencing problems conceiving. Actually [stress] doesn’t appear to make a difference to your chances of conception,” he says.

As long as you’re eating a good variety of healthy foods, Prof Child says any dietary changes are “unlikely to make a significant difference”.

6. It’s important to get to know your cycle

7. IVF isn’t a guarantee – but chances of success are far higher than they used to be.