The truth is that when we talk about the ideal age To have a first child, nowadays it is something very relative because depends on multiple factors that condition the decision, regardless of whether or not you really want to be a mother for the first timeMany women who want to be mothers feel conditioned by work, by the little time they have, by fear of losing their job if they become pregnant, by the Stress that a child can cause, due to how expensive it is to be a mother and the little help they receive mothers in our country.
On the other hand, there are women who can still be mothers they decide not to be in order to have a quieter life, so as not to have to be tied to any couple, so as not to have to undergo any fertility treatment, so as not to spend money, to be able to climb professionally and a long etcetera that is very personal according to the life of each person.
Personally, it was time for me to be a mother when my son decided that it was time to go into the world. Not before, not after. Because there are times a woman knows when the time is right, because although certain fears and uncertainties invade, deep in your heart, you know that the time has come.
But, as for age, when would it be? ideal moment to have your first child? What's the right age for each case?
The best age to have a first child
There are people who think that the perfect age to have a first child ranges between 25 and 29 years. This age has more to do with a social factor Since at these ages, in principle, and following the social norms of our community, people in this period of their lives would already have a job and financial security.
But today these data can be very relative since at these ages there are many young people who are still at home with their parents because of inability to emancipate oneself due to the precarious employment situation in our society, something that will undoubtedly cause the birth rate to decline among many women and men who want to become parents but whose family finances do not allow it.
Biological age and social age: two different clocks
To understand why there are so many opinions, it is useful to differentiate between biological age y social age for motherhood. Biological age is marked by the ovarian reserve (quantity and quality of eggs) and reproductive health. Social age depends on the personal maturity, economic stability, marital status, housing, and family and community support.
From a biological point of view, the window of maximum fertility It occurs in young adulthood. Starting in the thirties, the probability of pregnancy per cycle progressively decreases, and the decline becomes more pronounced as the years go by. In women without health problems, the possibility of achieving pregnancy per cycle is highest in their twenties, decreases somewhat in their thirties, and decreases significantly in the second half of that decade.
This decrease is explained because over time they decrease both the amount and quality of eggs, cycles without ovulation increase and ovulation occurs more frequently chromosomal abnormalities in embryos. That is why we talk about advanced maternal age when the woman exceeds a certain age threshold, since pregnancy may require more time and monitoring.
20, 25, 30 or 35 years?
There are many people who think that the best age to start having children is 25 years old for the reasons I have mentioned above, but there are also those who think that the best age is 20 years old because you have more vitality and many years ahead.
But these days, having children at 20 may simply not be the idea for many people. How many young people at this age are still too immature to take care of themselves? Would it be appropriate for them to do it as a baby? In these cases as in many teenage pregnancies would be the parents who end up taking care of the grandchildren And this would not be a good idea for a baby who needs his parents, either.
In addition, many young people of this age still do not have a job, so they couldn't support a baby to feed him and give him all the basic needs that a little one needs.
But personally I consider that this thing about ages The age of becoming a mother for the first time varies depending on a person's educational level or the culture they live in. Some people grow up thinking they should wait until they're over 25 to have children, others that they should wait until they're over 30 or even 35 to "live life before becoming a parent."
But we also have to be aware that there are still cultures that believe that women should be mothers as soon as possible without thinking about their needs as women, but rather they only think about them with a reproductive goalSomething I certainly hope will change one day, since there are many women in the world who should live freely and be able to make their own decisions.
Although the ideal age to have the first child is still very relative, because it will depend on the social and cultural context which one opts for one age or another.
Pros and cons by decades
- Score: increased vitality and fertility; possible economic instability or as a couple; greater need for a support network and planning.
- Thirty: frequent balance between personal maturity and work project; gradual decline in fertility that may require more time for searching and monitoring.
- Thirty-something and forty-something: more stability in life and clarity of objectives; higher likelihood of obstetric risks and the need for close monitoring; sometimes resorting to Assisted reproduction.
Things to keep in mind
It is also important to note that there are women who want to be mothers from a very young age but for whatever reasons have been prevented from being able to be mothers at an early age, and that without being able to choose, the years go by and they cannot be mothers. Many of these women They end up going to assisted reproduction clinics so they can help them become mothers, something that doesn't happen overnight. For this reason, some women, even though they want to be mothers, have to wait a long time and may become mothers after the age of 35, or even approaching or even passing 40.
It is true that having children at age 20 today is irresponsible if you do not have the appropriate means, but physically it is the ideal age because you have the energy to be with them all the time without feeling too tired.
In addition, it is also very important whether or not you have one. stable relationshipThere are brave women who decide to become single mothers, and although it's certainly more complicated both financially and emotionally, more and more women are deciding to venture into the world of motherhood without a father or a steady partner.
And you, what do you think about it? ¿You think it is better to have young children Or that it is preferable to live life and enjoy it while you can and be a parent after 30 or 35? Do you think that today things are complicated in our society to be able to be parents? The people who can choose are really lucky, because there are many women and many couples who do not choose, they simply wait for the long-awaited news that the baby is on the way to finally arrive.
Advanced maternal age: risks and recommended follow-up
In medicine it is considered advanced maternal age from a certain point, not because it is impossible to conceive, but because some risks increase and closer monitoring may be required. Among the most frequently observed potential problems are hypertension and gestational diabetes, preeclampsia’s most emblematic landmarks, the premature birth, Caesarean section and some chromosomal abnormalities of the baby. The exact risk figure depends on the woman's previous health, her habits, and the monitoring of the pregnancy.
With good basic health, obstetric care, and appropriate habits, many older women achieve healthy pregnancies. The key is individualize control and anticipate tests that allow informed decisions to be made.
- Non-invasive screening: High-resolution ultrasounds and maternal blood marker analysis, including fetal DNA blood testing to estimate the risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
- invasive tests: amniocentesis or chorionic biopsy, reserved for cases with high risks or when necessary diagnosis confirmatory. Your choice should be made with your obstetrician.
- Prevention: weight control, moderate exercise, balanced diet, folic acid supplementation and iodine, and monitoring of blood pressure and glucose.
It is also worth considering the paternal age. Although the biological impact is less than in women, semen quality can decrease over the years and is associated with a slight increase in certain complications. Fertility and childbearing are a couple project in which both count.
Fertility preservation and reproductive alternatives
Delaying motherhood for personal or professional reasons is becoming more common. If it's not the right time to try for a pregnancy, one option is fertility preservation by oocyte vitrification. Freezing eggs at ages when oocyte quality is best allows them to be used later by in vitro fertilization (IVF)It is important to know that no technique reverses the ovarian clock, but preservation can expand future possibilities.
When age or ovarian reserve make it difficult to achieve pregnancy, there are several alternatives:
- IVF with your own eggs, with or without preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to select embryos with a better implantation prognosis.
- IVF with egg donation When there are no viable eggs; the quality of the uterus does not age as much as the ovary and this option offers high success rates.
- Support in cases of male factor, from specific laboratory techniques to the use of donor semen if required.
Beyond the medical aspect, any assisted reproduction treatment entails emotional charge and logistics. Psychological support and transparent information about expectations and timelines help you make informed decisions.
Perspectives that help you decide
- BiologicalFemale fertility declines with age, especially from the mid-thirties onward. The earlier you start trying, the higher the chance of pregnancy per cycle.
- Socials: Delaying motherhood can result in greater stability occupational and economic, which sometimes compensates for medical risks if accompanied by good monitoring.
- Gender: persist structural barriers (reconciliation, wage gap, care) that influence the decision. Moving forward co-responsibility and support policies makes it easier to choose the moment.
- Family planning: : It is not the same to want a child than a bigger family. If you dream of two or three, it is worth considering that having your first pregnancy at an earlier age offers more room for spacing.
Family planning and life project
Choosing the best time is a personal decisionSome practical tips can help you:
- value your current reproductive health (review, indicative ovarian reserve) and the realistic time you can dedicate to the search.
- Contrast the desire to number of children and the intervals you would like between pregnancies with your employment and family support situation.
- Study economic scenarios: permits, care costs, company flexibility, co-responsibility of the couple.
- Remember that there is no perfect moment: find a point of sufficient stability that allows you to enjoy the process.
Useful preconception checklist
Search for pregnancy may require preparation; this list can make all the difference:
- Gynecological review Complete: cytology if applicable, ultrasound, assessment of possible pathologies (for example, endometriosis or fibroids).
- Analytics and general health check: iron, vitamin D if applicable, glucose and blood pressure.
- Supplementation: folic acid and iodine from before conception, according to professional guidelines.
- Lifestyle: Moderate exercise, varied diet, limit ultra-processed foods, avoid tobacco and alcohol, moderate caffeine.
- Medication: Review medications with your healthcare professional to ensure their safety during preconception.
- Vaccines: Check vaccination status according to the recommendations of the health professional.
- Pelvic floor: start awareness and exercises guided by specialized physiotherapy if possible.
- Stress management and rest: prioritize sleep and emotional support; mental health also matters.
Every motherhood journey is unique. There's no magic number that works for everyone. There are more favorable biological stages and more favorable personal contexts, and between the two lies the most important decision: the one that fits youWith clear information, proper follow-up, and a support network, the timing you choose can be the best for you and your family.