There are many people who want to have babies later and always prioritise their career first. They also have some personal goals which they want to achieve first before starting a family. This helps them to have financial security and a lot more advantages. However, this also brings many problems and the major one is fertility. It becomes hard for them to conceive naturally in the future because the age factor comes in between.
This is where IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) comes. It is a medical treatment that helps couples who struggle with fertility issues. It gives hope to those people who are facing difficulty in getting pregnant. The reason can be anything, including age, health conditions, or other reasons. However, IVF is not always successful, and the process can be physically, emotionally, and financially tough.
So, is IVF the best option for those who give importance to their careers? Let’s find out.
Why are people delaying parenthood?
I have seen many reasons why people choose to have children later in life. Today, I am going to share some of the reasons from my experience:
Career growth: Many individuals focus on their careers before thinking about starting a family. Parenting often gets delayed because of long working hours and other job requirements.
Financial security: This is another important reason why people are delaying having babies. Financial resources are important to raise a child and many couples prefer to wait until they have a stable income, own a house, and feel secure financially.
Personal goals: Some individuals want to travel, get higher education, or achieve personal goals before having children.
Trust in IVF: There are many people who believe they can conceive later with the help of treatments like IVF.
Late marriages: Societal norms have changed and this has also changed the thinking process of individuals. People are marrying late which is delaying parenting.
Workplace pressure: There are some industries, such as law, medicine, and corporate sectors, that have difficult career paths. Women, in particular, feel pressured to establish themselves starting their journey as a mother.
How age affects fertility
One common belief I hear is that IVF can completely overcome the effects of ageing on fertility. IVF is a good option but it does not fully reverse the natural decline in fertility that happens as we age. Here’s a detailed explanation of how fertility declines with age.
Women: A woman’s best fertility years are in her 20s. After 30, fertility starts to decline, and after 35, it declines even faster. By the early 40s, the chances of natural pregnancy are very low. This is due to a decrease in the quantity and quality of eggs.
Men: Men can produce sperm throughout life. However, the quality of sperm decreases with age and it makes pregnancy harder. Older fathers also have a higher chance of passing genetic mutations to the baby.
Success rates of IVF with age
Age IVF Success Rates
Under 35 years - 40-50% success rate per cycle
35-40 years - 25-35% success rate
Above 40 years - Below 20% success rate
These numbers show that IVF helps and it works best when done at a younger age. The quality of eggs and sperm is important for a successful pregnancy, and age significantly impacts this factor.
Can IVF help career-first families?
IVF has helped many couples, but it is not always a guaranteed solution. Here are some ways you can follow to improve your chances of success:
1. Fertility Preservation
If you are planning to have babies later then freezing eggs or sperm at a younger age can be helpful. This helps to ensure that you have better chances of getting pregnant whenever you decide to start a family. Egg freezing is beneficial for women who want to delay having babies and also want to maintain higher fertility potential.
2. Donor Eggs or Sperm
Individuals can use donor eggs or sperm if their egg or sperm quality is declining. It will increase the chances of success. This is a common option for couples where one partner has age-related fertility decline or a medical issue that affects their reproductive health.
3. Genetic Testing for Healthy Embryos
Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) helps to select the healthiest embryos. It also helps to reduce the chances of miscarriage or genetic issues in older parents. Older eggs have a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities and PGT can improve the chances of a successful pregnancy.
4. Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Lifestyle factors play a big role in making your IVF treatment successful. I recommend following the below tips:
Eat a balanced diet which is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. It will help to improve your reproductive health.
Obesity can reduce fertility and it’s important to exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight.
It’s important to manage stress through yoga, meditation, or counseling.
Avoid smoking, excessive alcohol, and unhealthy foods because these can negatively affect egg and sperm quality.
Cost and emotional aspects of IVF
Many people think having kids later means having more financial stability. However, it's important to note that IVF can be a bit expensive. The cost depends on how many cycles, medications, and extra treatments are needed for you. Because one IVF cycle can be costly and some couples may need multiple attempts to get pregnant.
However, there are many options like EMI plans, zero-interest loans, and free IVF treatments for underprivileged couples, which I strongly support. These financial assistance programmes make fertility treatments more accessible to those who face struggles with the high costs.
Additionally, IVF can be emotionally tough. The process can also be stressful when multiple attempts are required. I always recommend counselling and emotional support for couples going through IVF. Psychological well-being is just as important as physical health when undergoing fertility treatments.
Conclusion
Late parenthood is becoming more common, but it also comes with some challenges. IVF is a great medical advancement and can be a great option for those who want to have a baby later. The best way is to plan ahead, explore fertility preservation, and make informed decisions.
If you are thinking about delaying parenthood, I always recommend consulting a fertility expert. You can make the best choices for your future family if you get the right guidance. Whether through IVF, fertility preservation, or alternative options, understanding your reproductive health is important to make better decisions about parenthood.
Dr Saarthak Bakshi is a healthcare entrepreneur and CEO of RISAA IVF.
