Mums-to-be worry as 'your eggs are chronologically the same age as you'

It has been revealed that in our modern climate, women have become increasingly concerned with their chances of conceiving and staying pregnant. 

In research conducted by MummyPages.ie it has been revealed that 60 per cent of Irish women are worried about their chances of conception, with age being the number one stresser. 

Age has become a high concern for females, as women are increasingly using their twenties to travel, become career driven and meeting relationship expectations before making the decision to start a family. 

Nonetheless, the risk associated with beginning a family in your mid-thirties is that as the years pass your egg quality and quantity become lower, leaving women with many challenges when trying to conceive. 

One in three Irish women expect it will take them six months or more to get pregnant. And while 40 per cent of those will get pregnant in their first three months of trying, a further third of mums will still be trying after 12-months.

Proceive nutritionist Gaye Godkin states: "Women are born with their compliment of eggs. As we age, so too do our eggs. In essence, your eggs are chronologically the same age as you."

"They have been subject to the environment that they have been immersed in. Egg quality can be enhanced if they are released into a healthy nutritious environment." 

However, in an age of social influence, MummyPages and fertility treatment brand Proceive have alluded to the fact that many women are taking active steps to stay healthy and improve their chances of becoming pregnant in the future. 

Through the vast research, it is estimated that 82 per cent of Irish women are now taking daily folic acid supplements in preparation for pregnancy, 52 per cent have undergone weightloss to aid their chances, while 38 per cent are taking fertility enhancing prenatal vitamins. 

"Fostering a good diet and ensuring that you are taking the essential nutrients can positively affect the health of your eggs and subsequently the developing foetus," added Gaye. 

Nonetheless, it is also estimated that the sixth-month of trying is the trigger point for most Irish women to seek help if they are struggling, with 49 per cent of mums using online forums as a source for tips and recommendations. 

One in four mums visit their local GP for help, while in one in five consult a gynaecologist; but it is maintained that  regular sex and lifestyle changes, including optimum nutrition are the keys to success, as the chances of conceiving naturally decline with age.

MummyPages' Laura Erskine states: "The age at which a mum gives birth for the first time has grown steadily from age 28 in the 1980’s to age 33 now. The old adage that a woman’s clock is ticking is one that rings true with alarm bells for so many Irish women today.”

"As a nation we are delaying starting our families in favour of career, travel and having fun. The good news is that today’s millennial is much more health conscious, […], the idea of making new food choices that have the optimum conception inducing vitamins and minerals through diet and supplements is one which is embraced today."

The spokesmum added: "A prenatal fertility supplement such as Proceive is designed to support the nutritional needs of the body when trying for a baby and can be taken by both women and men, which is good news for one in 10 women who are worried that their partners health may affect their chance of conception.”

The interesting research had us thinking about our pregnancy, and we can openly admit to taking on several of these methods to ensure conception – have you overhauled your lifestyle to aid conception?