Fertility And Age in Australian Women – The Statistics and The Stories

Now I’m usually a very even tempered person but I’ve had one of those conversations lately that makes me foam at the mouth and hop up and down in frustration.

It’s the one where the dear younger friend in her 30’s says she’s thinking she and her husband might try for a baby but they’ll just wait another year or two… or three.

I can’t believe that women who know enough about the facts of life to plan a baby, don’t know enough about the real facts of fertility.

The harsh facts about fertility and age.

The friend who completely took the biscuit was an old uni pal who said she and her partner were just waiting until the finished the house renovations and then they’d try for a baby.

She was 40.

I knew her well enough to give her a firm (but fair) talking to… which started along the lines of:

Young men and women who are yet to step into the world of potential parenthood can be so innocent and naïve. The deep joys and potential disasters ahead are completely unknown to them.

Recently I’ve been talking to the groups in Australia who know the most about the facts about fertility and age.

IVF Australia, Melbourne IVF and Queensland Fertility Group are keen to make sure that young men and women who hope to start a family understand the realities of age and fertility.

They’ve produced this infographic which has all the facts and figures and explores the issues around: “Fertility and Age in Australia.”

The more of us who have our kids younger, the less need for IVF and fertility services.  These fertility and IVF specialists are clearly trying to educate themselves out of business!

But seriously, these guys are at the coalface, where many of you readers have been too.

Each day they live the joys of conception and birth, and the terrible lows and distress of when things don’t work out well.

The process of talking to these fertility and IVF specialists has made me think a LOT about my own fertility story and the births of my four beautiful, strapping children.

And I find I have a LOT to say… things I have been thinking for years have been streaming out in words.

Once I have the words and thoughts marshalled, I shall be posting more about my own family… and the hopes I have for my own kids… and the fears too.

I know many readers have had a tough road to parenthood, and I’ve experienced the pain and loss of miscarriage myself.

Here’s to education around the facts of fertility,  from the specialists who have extensive experience caring for women on their emotional journey to parenthood.

Did you have your children when you were young?