The age at which people start families in India is continuously increasing. Whereas earlier couples used to plan to have a child within a few years of marriage, now due to reasons like education, career ambitions, financial stability and changing lifestyle, many people are deciding to become parents only after the age of 30 or 35. Along with these social changes, challenges like declining fertility are also rapidly emerging. According to Dr. Shweta Gupta, Infertility and IVF Specialist and Director of Max Hospital, Panchsheel Park, about 10 to 15 percent of women in India have difficulty conceiving, and this figure is increasing due to the increasing trend of late motherhood.
Why is the trend of late parenthood increasing?
Experts blame many social and lifestyle related reasons for this.
Late marriage – Experts say that late marriage is a major reason for difficulty in conceiving. After the age of 35, the number and quality of a woman’s eggs naturally begins to decline, reducing the chances of pregnancy. Additionally, more women today prioritize higher education and careers; The decision to start a family is often taken only after achieving financial stability and professional goals.
Urban lifestyle – Experts believe that urban lifestyle also affects fertility. Factors like junk food consumption, obesity, lack of physical activity and sitting for long periods can disturb the hormonal balance in women and affect ovulation.
Stress is a factor – Stress and anxiety also play an important role in this. Persistent mental stress affects the body’s hormonal system, which can lead to irregular menstrual cycles and difficulty conceiving.
Infertility due to pollution – Experts also point out that the shift from joint families to nuclear families and increasing air pollution in big cities are having a negative impact on fertility. Can fertility be maintained?
Dr. Shweta Gupta says that if a woman wants to become a mother in the future but is not planning to conceive immediately, “social egg freezing” can be a good option. In this procedure, the woman’s healthy eggs before the age of 35 are removed and preserved using special techniques. These can be used through the IVF process if needed. This method can significantly reduce the effects of deterioration in egg quality with age.
IVF raises expectations
If natural conception is not possible, techniques such as assisted reproductive technology (ART) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) offer a ray of hope for many couples. In IVF, a woman’s egg and a man’s sperm are fertilized in the lab and the resulting embryos are implanted in the uterus. This technique is proving successful in eliminating problems related to ovulation, blocked fallopian tubes and severe infertility in men.
Planning is important at the right time
Experts emphasize that both career and family are important, but the “biological clock” cannot be ignored. If a couple is planning to start a family after the age of 30, it is wise to get fertility checked from time to time and seek specialist advice if needed. With the help of timely information, healthy lifestyle and modern medical science, the dream of becoming a parent can come true.
