GETTING PREGNANT AT AGE 35+

GETTING PREGNANT AT AGE 35+

It is widely believed that at age 35, the ability to get pregnant of a woman tends to go down. The rate at which it goes down in every woman is different from one woman to the other. This decrease is depending on certain factors which are but not limited to standard of living, life style and fertility hormones’ pool. The truth is the egg quality of woman is getting low, which can affect conception naturally. The egg quality produces every month by woman can be measured by the hormone called ‘AntiMullerian Hormone’. The 2nd/3rd day FSH level can also be a predictor, but AMH is more stable and reliable in checking ovarian reserves of any woman. The AMH can be done at any time of the menstrual cycle, and the results are interpreted in 4 ways. (i.) Optimal fertility (<4.0ng/ml) (ii.) Satisfactory fertility (2.19-4.0ng/ml) (iii.) Low fertility (0.3-2.19ng/ml) (iv.) Very low/undetectable (< 0.3).

AMH is one of the tests mostly run by IVF clinics to determine whether patients going for IVF procedure will make use of her egg or donor’s egg. The egg quality (AMH level) of any woman plays major role in achieving conception whether naturally or by IVF. When the egg quality is low, this could result to poor implantation or no pregnancy. What causes poor egg quality in women, is poor mitochondria function of cells that produces/makes eggs in the ovaries. Mitochondria are the engines of cells. One of the main roles of mitochondria is the production of ATP which is the main source of energy for the eggs, and as women age, their mitochondria function diminishes and can greatly after the egg quality. it is assumed as one of the factors for causing poor egg quality.

When you are trying to conceive at 35+, especially closer to 40, the egg quality is a key factor. Is there anything you can do to increase your AMH level or enhance your egg quality? You need one egg to conceive and this egg must be very good in quality. There are steps to take to improve your egg quality, which must be followed back to back for at least 120 days, if you desire result, when you are trying to conceive at age 40. This is called the pre conception phase when egg cell goes through a maturation cycle and become the egg to ovulate. Studies have shown that the pre-conception phase is even more important than when the fertilized ovum is in uterus. Don’t forget that if you are trying to get pregnant between age 35-40 years+, your spouse’s sperm quality must be at peak. At this stage, high sperm count is as good as high as value of sperm motility and morphology.

A new batch of sperm cells is created every76-90 days, this is why any male’s fertility treatment should not be less than 3 months back to back, depending on severity of sperm poor quality and count. I strongly advise that all men who’s their spouse are waiting to be pregnant should desist from alcohol and smoking as this could lead to ‘ROS’ in semen. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), in semen can cause sperm DNA damage. Routine seminal fluid analysis cannot detect if you have sperm DNA, andrology laboratory offers sperm DNA fragmentation test.

These are what to do to improve your egg quality (AMH) and increase the chances of conception. First ensure that you take fertility tests and consult your doctor for proper guidance and fertility counselling.

1. The following drugs could be used to improve your AMH level or egg quality; C0Q10, Vit E, Vit C 500mg, Maca, Vitex, DHA, NAC, DHEA, Melatonin, Vit B6, Folic acid 400mg, Zinc, Omega 3, Chia seeds etc.

2. Avoid BPA (Bisphenol A), toxin found in reuseable plastics which affect your hormones causing miscarriages and birth defects. Exposure to BPA has been linked to reduce egg quality and hormonal imbalance. Stop using plastic in your home especially those that are used for water bottle which are very tinny in thickness could allow BPA escape to the plastic content.

3. Avoid processed food and genetically modified foods. Eat food less of condiments, like curry, food flavors, monoglutamate sodium contained seasoning, etc. try and cook with natural food seasoning.

4. Avoid environmental toxins like pesticide, herbicides etc.; air pollutant like smoke. If your spouse is a smoke please reduce exposure to smoke.

5. The use of fragrance can affect the quality of your egg. Most of the fragrance contains phthalates, a chemical that make the aroma of the fragrance last long. Phthalates has been implicated in various forms of reproductive harm such as sperm damage, impaired female fertility, increased implantation failure and miscarriages. Any air fresheners, deodorize, room fragrance, body spray, after shave, perfume of phthalate chemical should be avoided if you have problem with your fertility.

WOJUADE KEHINDE IS THE CEO/MD OF ABIMS UNIQUE MEDICAL LABS SERVICE/ ANDROLOGY

37 AKINREMI STREET ANIFOWOSE IKEJA. Whatapp/call: +2348023026235. +2348077047724. www.abimsuniqe.com [email protected].

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