Now, fast-forward a few years.You have completed your education, built your career, found a partner, purchased a home, or finally reached a place in life where having a baby feels possible.You stop using contraception, excited about the next chapter. Perhaps you imagine announcing your pregnancy, planning a baby shower, choosing names, and watching your partner become a parent.But months pass.You take pregnancy tests, and they are negative. Another menstrual cycle arrives. Friends announce their pregnancies, family members ask questions, and social media seems filled with baby announcements.You begin to wonder: What is happening? Why am I not getting pregnant?You may hear comments such as, “Just relax,” “Stop thinking about it,” or “It will happen when the time is right.”But sometimes, there is more to the story than stress or timing.Age-related changes in egg quantity and quality can affect fertility. Conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), blocked fallopian tubes, uterine fibroids, and certain hormonal disorders can also affect conception. Male-factor infertility may contribute as well, which is why fertility concerns should never automatically be placed on the woman.And here is something important: having regular periods does not necessarily mean that every aspect of your fertility is normal.Infertility is commonly defined as not achieving pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse. For women aged 35 and older, evaluation is generally recommended after six months of trying. Women over 40, or anyone with known reproductive health concerns, should consider seeking medical advice sooner.The earlier you understand your reproductive health, the more informed your decisions can be.
For some women, the desire to become a mother becomes strongest in their late 30s or 40s.Perhaps motherhood was postponed because of education, career demands, financial challenges, relationship difficulties, health issues, or simply because life unfolded differently than expected.There is no single timeline for becoming a mother, and women should never be shamed for the choices they make about their lives.However, fertility can become more challenging with age. The number of eggs remaining in the ovaries declines over time, and the proportion of eggs with chromosomal abnormalities increases. This can make conception more difficult and increase the risk of miscarriage.Fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilisation (IVF), can offer options for some people experiencing infertility. But IVF is not a guarantee of pregnancy, and outcomes depend on several factors, including age, diagnosis, egg quality, sperm quality, and the use of one's own eggs versus donor eggs.This is why learning about fertility before you begin trying to conceive can be valuable.Not because every woman must have children in her 20s, but because every woman deserves the information needed to make reproductive decisions with her eyes open.
If you could speak to the younger version of yourself, what would you want her to know about fertility, family planning, and the choices she was making in her 20s?
Share your thoughts, experiences, or questions with Miss, Conception Ja. Your story could help another woman feel understood, encourage someone to seek medical advice, or start a conversation that has been avoided for far too long.
Miss, Conception Ja — creating space for honest conversations about fertility, infertility, IVF, and the journey to parenthood.
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for guidance about your reproductive health and fertility options.