Motherhood vs. Career: Finding Balance in Today’s World

 


Motherhood vs. Career: Finding Balance in Today’s World


Ruchi Sharma, a 37-year-old executive at a multinational corporation, has been married for seven years and has been trying to conceive for the past two years. Despite normal test results, she’s still struggling with infertility. "In the first five years of my marriage, I didn’t even think about having a baby," says Ruchi. "Work, meetings, and deadlines consumed my life. But when I decided to start a family, I found it wasn’t happening. Now, I feel like I'm sinking into depression."

Ruchi’s experience isn’t unique. There’s a growing number of women who delay motherhood for career reasons, a phenomenon that has become especially prevalent in metropolitan cities. Over the past three decades, professional and personal opportunities for women have exploded, leading many to postpone starting families. A surprising statistic reveals that 33% of high-achieving women between the ages of 41 and 55 remain childless, many of whom didn’t intend to be, and still wish to have children. Sadly, they failed to realize that their biological clock doesn't align with the career timelines.

When Should You See an Infertility Specialist?

  • Women under 35: If you're unable to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse.
  • Women over 35: If you're unable to conceive after six months of unprotected intercourse.

According to Dr. K.D. Nayar, Chief Consultant at Akanksha IVF Centre, New Delhi, who performs more than 400 IVF/ICSI cycles annually, he sees 8 to 10 women daily over the age of 35 desperate to conceive. This number is rising sharply. Women are born with a finite number of eggs, and fertility starts to decline in their late twenties, accelerating significantly in their thirties. As women age, the quantity and quality of their eggs diminish, affecting fertilization success, embryo quality, and pregnancy rates. Ovarian function can decline gradually, often without noticeable symptoms. Unfortunately, the biology of female fertility hasn’t kept up with the career trajectory many women follow today.

How Old Is Too Old?

  • At birth: 2 million eggs.
  • At puberty: 400,000 eggs.
  • At 40: 40,000 to 50,000 eggs.
  • At 45: 5,000 eggs.

Egg quantity and quality start to diminish in a woman’s twenties, with significant deterioration occurring after 35. As women age, their reproductive system experiences several changes. For instance, menopause marks the cessation of menses, signaling the end of a woman’s fertile years. Before menopause, there is a gradual but distinct decline in estrogen production, leading to reduced fertility, a decline in hormone levels, and an increasing risk of genetic abnormalities in offspring. This combination of factors is what people refer to as the “biological clock.”

Dr. Nayar explains that in 80% of infertility cases, the cause can be traced directly to either the husband, wife, or both partners. In the remaining 20%, however, no specific reason can be found, especially among women over the age of 35, where unexplained infertility is more common.

The Biological Clock of Women

  1. Women in Their 20s

    • Fertility rate per month: 20-25%
    • Spontaneous miscarriage rate: 5-10%
    • Risk of genetic abnormality (Down’s Syndrome): 1 in 1,200
    • Health tips: Avoid smoking, alcohol, and caffeine; maintain moderate exercise during pregnancy.

  2. Women in Their Early 30s

    • Fertility rate per month: 15%
    • Miscarriage rate: 20%
    • Health tips: Start prenatal vitamins and focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

  3. Women Over 35

    • Fertility rate per month: 10%
    • Miscarriage rate: 25%
    • Risk of Down’s Syndrome: 1 in 350
    • Recommendation: Consider genetic testing and early consultation with an infertility specialist.

  4. Women in Their 40s

    • Fertility rate per month: 5% (even with IVF, the success rate is only 10%)
    • Miscarriage rate: 33%
    • Risk of genetic abnormalities: 1 in 38
    • Recommendation: Consider advanced reproductive techniques like IVF with egg donation.

  5. Women Above 45

    • Pregnancy is a challenging prospect as most remaining eggs are genetically abnormal.
    • Miscarriage rate: Over 45%
    • Risk of genetic abnormalities: 1 in 12
    • Recommendation: Egg donation becomes a primary option, with a success rate of 80%.

Male Fertility and the Aging Process

In recent years, there’s been a notable increase in the number of men fathering children after the age of 35. However, just as women experience a biological clock, men also face a decline in fertility as they age. The quality of sperm deteriorates, and the risk of genetic problems in offspring increases. Male fertility is marked by a gradual decline in testosterone levels, which is referred to as “Andropause.” Symptoms include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, weight gain, muscle loss, and cognitive decline. Older men also face an increased risk of fathering children with genetic disorders like schizophrenia or Down’s syndrome.

Thus, the concept of a biological clock now applies to both sexes, expanding the scope of fertility concerns to include men as well.

Conclusion

The decision to delay motherhood for career advancement is common, but it comes with significant biological risks as women age. The most fertile years for women are in their 20s and early 30s, and after 35, fertility declines rapidly. While medical advancements such as IVF can offer solutions, they are not without challenges, including lower success rates and increased risks of genetic disorders. Similarly, men also face fertility challenges as they age, which should be considered when planning a family. Balancing career and family life requires careful thought, and understanding the impact of aging on fertility is essential for anyone planning to have children later in life.

"Tick-Tock, Ladies! Your Biological Clock Is Ticking – Don’t Let Career Goals Silence Your Motherhood Dreams! Take Charge of Your Fertility Before It’s Too Late."

By Dr. K.D. Nayar, M.D., D.G.O., Dip. Obst. (Ireland)

📌 Book a Consultation Today!  🌐 Visit: https://www.akankshaivfcentre.com/


Dr K D Nayar HOD Mata Chanan Devi Hospital Janak Puri New Delhi

IVF Centre Delhi Address:

Akanksha IVF Centre Delhi
A-3/7, Janakpuri,
New Delhi, India – 110058
Phone: +91-11-45682024
Mobile: +91-9810398765, 9810398767
Email: kdnayar@usa.net


IVF Hospital Delhi Address:

Akanksha IVF Centre Delhi
Room No. 628,
Mata Chanan Devi Hospital,
C-1, Janakpuri, New Delhi,
India – 110058
Phone: +91-11-45582228, +91-11-45582227, 2229
Mobile: +91-9810398765, 9810398767
Fax: +91-11-25622103
Email: kdnayar@usa.net

 

 

Location: Akanksha IVF Centre Ivf & Infertility Specialist, Dr. KD Nayar, A-3/7, Block A3, Janakpuri, New Delhi, Delhi, 110058, India

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