Is There a Best Age To Get Pregnant?

The best time for someone to get pregnant is when they're physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially ready—and that varies widely from person to person. While most people experience peak fertility in their 20s, the best age to get pregnant is influenced by other factors too.

For example, younger people are less likely to have the money and resources needed for parenting a child, and they might want to finish school, get married, and travel the world first. On the other hand, some people avoid waiting too long and becoming part of the sandwich generation, which means they're simultaneously caring for children and aging parents. And, of course, there are biological and physical limitations to consider.

To help determine the best age to get pregnant for you, we asked a group of parents and health care experts for their informed guidance. Read on to find out your perfect pregnancy age.

Getting Pregnant Before Age 20

Having children in your teens may seem like an ideal scenario, but there's no denying that it's when your fertility peaks.

Unfortunately, preeclampsia rates tend to be higher among people this age (they rise again in your late 30s and early 40s). The risk of other pregnancy complications is also greater, such as premature rupture of the membranes.

The financial needs that come with parenting can also be stressful in your teen years, but some people can handle the challenge without issue.

Getting Pregnant Between Age 20 to 24

Most people in their early 20s are very fertile, with about an 85% chance of getting pregnant within a year. Finances may still be a burden, though, as many people in their early 20s are paying student loans, earning less money, and putting little (if any) money into their savings accounts. Some people also find the instability of their 20s to be unsuitable for child-rearing, as they're graduating from college, establishing a career, dating, and more.

Getting Pregnant Between Age 25 to 29

Medically speaking, the odds of getting pregnant in your late 20s are the same as they were in your early 20s, and the lifestyle pros and cons likely aren't much different either. Your chances of pregnancy complications are also low, compared with having kids much earlier or later.

Getting Pregnant Between Age 30 to 34

Getting pregnant in your early 30s has plenty of benefits. For example, it gives you a significant amount of time to enjoy your young adult years, explore your career, and get to know yourself.

As a downside, "once you hit your 30s, particularly 35 and beyond, we do start seeing a diminution in fertility—but that's not an absolute," says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Yale University.

"If you're still quite busy with establishing a career, or haven't found the perfect partner, you shouldn't be pushed into getting pregnant just to have a child," says Dr. Minkin." However, you also need to take into account how many kids you want." That's because fertility starts declining in your late 30s.

Getting Pregnant Between Age 35 to 39

People in their mid-to late-30s should speak to a health care provider before trying to conceive. That's because fertility starts to decline at 32, and this process speeds up at 37. The same trend applies to those undergoing infertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Another downside to pregnancy after 35 is an increased risk of complications. "Health risks start to rise, like hypertension, diabetes in pregnancy, and preeclampsia, as well as rates of chromosomal abnormalities," says Wendy C. Goodall McDonald, M.D., an OB-GYN with Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Of course, that's not the case for everyone, and healthy pregnancy is still completely possible.

If you've been trying to conceive for six months without success, consult with a reproductive endocrinology specialist.

Getting Pregnant Between Age 40 to 45

By age 40, a healthy person's chance of becoming pregnant is about 5% to 10% per menstrual cycle. People over 40 have an increased risk of early pregnancy complications such as ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages, says Anate Brauer, MD, the IVF director at Shady Grove Fertility in New York City.

They're also more likely to suffer from preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, placenta previa, low birth weight, and preterm labor, with a higher rate of fetal demise. The risks increase further if they have pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity.

But, just like in your late 30s, a healthy pregnancy is possible in this age group too. And birth rates in this age group have been on the rise. What's more, research shows people who gave birth after 40 were four times more likely to live to 100 than those who had kids younger.