MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • marie hair
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • marie hair
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Lifestyle

Australian Couples Are Tempting Fate With Fertility, Study Finds

Are we leaving it too late to fall pregnant? - by Elyssa Kostopoulos
  • 10 Jan 2019
Australian Couples Are Tempting Fate With Fertility, Study Finds

A study released by Flinders University has revealed that an increasing number of Australian men and women are tempting fate when it comes to trying to have children.

The research found that the four-decade long trend towards older parenthood is remaining strong, with the survey suggesting that 57% of childless women over 35 years still intend on having a child, a common trend among professional women.

Despite increased efforts in education and awareness, the study found that both men and women “consistently overestimated natural and IVF- assisted fertility with increasing age”, which could potentially explain why many delay starting a family.

Professor Kelton Tremellen, co-author of the paper, says that because female fertility is often overestimated, many couples do not anticipate experiencing difficulties conceiving when they begin a family at a later age.

"That's a bit of a concern because fertility declines with increasing age and we know that about 10 per cent of the population will pretty well run out of good quality eggs by their mid-thirties and are at real risk of not being able to have kids at all," he said.

“We suggest that the addition of AMH ovarian reserve screening to routine tests, such as cervical cancer screening, for women without children who are aged more than 30 years, would improve reproductive awareness and may enhance their chances of parenthood by identifying women with accelerated ‘ageing’ of their ovaries.”

Professor Tremellen first introduced AMH testing in Australia in 2004, however, 14 years later, the study found that no men, and only 15 per cent of women surveyed were aware of ovarian reserve screening.

However, the research revealed that the “majority of women (74%) would alter their reproductive life planning if they were identified as having low ovarian reserve on screening”, giving these women the ability to bring forward their plans for natural conception or undertake fertility preservation (oocyte freezing).

The primary social determinants for starting a family included a stable relationship and career, with availability of accessible child care and paid parental leave being considered less important.

  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Health

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

'Doctors Told My Mum She Was Experiencing Pregnancy Symptoms. It Was Ovarian Cancer'

'Doctors Told My Mum She Was Experiencing Pregnancy Symptoms. It Was Ovarian Cancer'

Twelve Australian Women Unleash Their Body Confidence

Twelve Australian Women Unleash Their Body Confidence

T.I.'s Daughter Unfollows Him On Social Media After Controversial Virginity Comments

T.I.'s Daughter Unfollows Him On Social Media After Controversial Virginity Comments

Three Women On The Secret's They'll Never Tell

Three Women On The Secret's They'll Never Tell

{headline}

{headline}

A New Test Could Predict If Your Baby Will Be Born Premature

A New Test Could Predict If Your Baby Will Be Born Premature

Women Aren’t Doing Enough To Get Healthy Before Falling Pregnant, Says Study

Women Aren’t Doing Enough To Get Healthy Before Falling Pregnant, Says Study

Australian Mother Nearly Bleeds To Death After Having Contraceptive Implanted

Australian Mother Nearly Bleeds To Death After Having Contraceptive Implanted

{headline}

{headline}

The Top 4 Ways To Get Healthier Fast

The Top 4 Ways To Get Healthier Fast

Mandy Moore Reveals She Will Soon Be A Mother To Two Boys

Mandy Moore Reveals She Will Soon Be A Mother To Two Boys

5 ways we show appreciation to our mothers year round

5 ways we show appreciation to our mothers year round

Inside Australia's Hidden Homeless Epidemic

Inside Australia's Hidden Homeless Epidemic

Jennifer Lawrence Has Welcomed Her First Child With Her Husband, Cooke Maroney

Jennifer Lawrence Has Welcomed Her First Child With Her Husband, Cooke Maroney

Up The Burn And Look Good Doing It With These Weights & Resistance Bands

Up The Burn And Look Good Doing It With These Weights & Resistance Bands

5 Ways To Be More Conscious In 2022: According To marie claire's Lifestyle Director

5 Ways To Be More Conscious In 2022: According To marie claire's Lifestyle Director

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
MarieClaire Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Elle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • beautyheaven
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Marie Claire