On Wednesday, Duchess of Sussex Meghan and Prince Harry introduced their newborn baby boy to the world in St. George’s Hall, where they had their wedding reception last May.
After greeting the press in the hall to show off the super adorable tot, the couple also later revealed the baby’s name is Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
A post on the family’s official Instagram page of their formal intro garnered 1.7M likes and over a quarter of a million comments within the hour of going up!
Later, the newlyweds took their baby to meet his great great grandmom, Queen Elizabeth the II of England.
The two gushed on their new creation during the initial public intro.
“It’s magic. It’s pretty amazing. I have the best two guys in the world, so I’m really happy,” the former Meghan Markle said in a belted sleeveless dress. “He has the sweetest temperament,” she added. He’s really calm.”
Harry added: “I don’t know where he gets that from!”
They shared pics from the meet and greet with the Queen on their official Instagram account.
The post featured a photo of Meghan, Harry, Archie, Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, grandfather, Prince Philip, and Meghan’s mom, Doria Ragland.
Women aren’t the only ones with a proverbial biological clock.
Despite many misconceptions and misperceptions, men are affected by infertility at almost the same rate as women. Not only that, as men age, their sperm is impacted—affecting the length of time it takes to get pregnant, the mother’s health during pregnancy, chances of miscarriage, and even health of the baby.
Only recently have any large-scale studies focused entirely on the impact of older fathers. One of the most recent and largest studies analyzed more than 40.5 million births at the Stanford University School of Medicine, concluding that “more than 12 percent of births to fathers aged 45 years or older with adverse outcomes might have been prevented were the fathers younger.”
The Stanford researchers also found that men over age 40-45:
· Take five times as long to impregnate their partner compared with men under 25;
· Are 14 percent more likely than men in their 20s and 30s to have children born prematurely with a low birth weight;
· As the fathers’ ages increased, their babies were more likely to need help with breathing and require neonatal intensive care;
· Have a higher chance of the mother getting gestational diabetes;
· Have a higher chance of the mother miscarrying, and;
· Have a higher chance of children being born with birth defects, autism and mental health disorders like bipolar and schizophrenia.
We are learning more and more about the impact of older fathers as the rate of births to men 40 and over continues to rise. Since the 1970s, the birth rate to men over 40 has doubled to about 9 percent as of 2015.
Biological Clock
While women are born with their lifetime supply of eggs, men start making sperm at puberty and continue this for the rest of their lives. As women age, declining egg quantity and quality puts them at increasing risk for infertility, miscarriages and having children with health problems due to chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down’s syndrome.
While women are technically considered fertile until menopause, their monthly odds of pregnancy decline from 20 percent at age 30 to 5 percent at age 40…until it eventually hits zero. These same ages see a miscarriage rate rise from 10 percent to 33 percent and continue to rise with her age.
Because sperm production doesn’t end, it was long believed that men would remain fertile their entire lives, without age having a significant impact on length of time to conceive or the mother and child’s health.
Causes of Male Infertility
About 12 percent of women in the U.S. between the ages of 15 to 44 have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term, with the cause equally divided between men and women at about 40 percent. In about 33 percent of couples with infertility, both a male and female cause is found.
The most common causes of male infertility include abnormal sperm production, function or delivery. Other causes include overexposure to certain pesticides or chemicals; significant alcohol, tobacco or marijuana use, and; the use of particular medications like anabolic steroids, antihypertensives and some types of antibiotics. Additionally, radiation and chemotherapy treatments for cancer can cause infertility by significantly impairing sperm production.
Can Men Optimize Their Fertility?
There are ways for men to protect and maximize their fertility:
Body weight. Higher body weight is linked with decreasing both sperm count and motility.
Diet. Choose plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin C, vitamin E and CoQ10, to improve sperm quantity and quality.
Manage stress. Stress can cause lower sperm function and sexual performance anxiety – think stage fright! If you are experiencing stress with difficulty conceiving – and who isn’t? – reach out to your partner and/or a counselor for health coping strategies and stress-reduction techniques.
Exercise. Moderate physical activity can have positive or neutral effects on sperm, but intensive exercise can reduce sperm function. So, remember there’s a sweet spot with exercise intensity.
Don’t smoke. Men who smoke cigarettes inhale passive smoke are more likely to have impaired sperm and higher rates of genetically damaged sperm.
Limit alcohol. While there is debate on alcohol’s effect on sperm, prolonged abuse can cause impotence.
Talk to your doctor about medications. Many medications impact fertility, including calcium channel blockers (reduce fertilization), testosterone and anabolic steroids.
Avoid exposure to toxins. Exposure to environmental toxins, especially phthalates (used in many plastics and hundreds of products) may reduce sperm function.
Stay cool. Increased temperature to the scrotum can impair sperm production. Wear loose-fitting underwear, avoid saunas and hot tubs and limit scrotum exposure to warm objects (such as laptops.)
About the Author
Mark P. Trolice, M.D., is a Board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist who founded and directs Fertility CARE-The IVF Center in Winter Park, Fla. He also is associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando.
Congrats to singer Kelani who welcomed her daughter this weekend.
The singer-songwriter shared the news in an Instagram post revealing that her daughter Adeya was born over the weekend.
“We just wanted to say thank you to everyone who sent well wises, love, and support in all forms while waiting & working to bring Adeya earthside,” she captioned an up close photo of a baby blanket. Congratulations, Kehlani!
Twenty -two years ago, at age 16, Martina Hingis became the youngest woman to win the Australian Open finals and now Hingis served up a new title, “mom” when she welcomed her first child, daughter, Lia this year.
The former No. 1 WTA player announced the birth over Twitter last week.
“And then we were three!” she captioned a photo of herself cradling her newborn in front of husband, Harald Leemann, a former sports doctor. “Harry and I are excited to welcome our baby girl Lia to the world. We are already so in love.”
And then we were three! Harry and I are excited to welcome our baby girl Lia to the world. We are already so in love ❤ ?? pic.twitter.com/C9NUA3tMxT
Since we are currently in the midst of Black History Month, you may have come across quite a few sites and blogs sharing lists of books about Black History or featuring black characters in case a parent is looking to diversify his or her child’s library to include all races of characters….or if you are a black or brown parent and want a book that represents your child.
And as most parents who have small children know by now, books are important and being read to in early child development is just as if not more important!
Somewhere between 12 and 18 months, your child will realize that those sounds he’s been hearing you read — words — actually mean something.
The more you talk and read aloud to a child at this time (and from the start, for that matter), the better her vocabulary will be.
Look for books with a wide variety of visuals, words that repeat often, and clearly labeled objects, both common and unfamiliar.
When you read aloud, pause frequently to ask your child questions about the objects you see, answer her questions, and talk through the book’s action and images.
You don’t need a big book budget for this age group.
Hearing three or four titles over and over is better for a child than trying to introduce lots of new books.
When my children were little we discovered a wonderful book called “So Much” by British author of Dominica, Caribbean-parentage Trish Cooke and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury who is most well known for illustratingTickle Tickle, All Fall Down and her own books.
Children will appreciate ethnic diversity and the fun story about the anticipation of arrival of guests at a party for a young baby’s dad.
I love this book so much, I buy it for friends I know who have kids. I have shipped off several copies. See proof below the number of times I personally ordered and purchased it for friends:
My fave part about this book is the playful language uses repetition and I could read it in a different accent each time to make it fun.
The author was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire in the UK and comes from a large family, with six sisters, three brothers, eight nephews, six nieces, three great-nieces and one great-nephew, all of whom provide her with the inspiration for her picture books as the publisher notes Cooke has said.
“There’s always some conversation or other going on somewhere that I can eavesdrop on – language is very important to me. I love music and rhythms and when people talk, it is as if sometimes they are actually singing. I remember Sunday mornings, the smell of saltfish and johnny cakes wafting up the stairs, Mum singing and Dad telling stories that were always ‘true’.”
The kids loved it and enjoyed seeing me pull it off the bookshelf each time.
They are a lot more treat books out there featuring black characters nowadays compared to year’s past.
If you are looking for a fun book to add to your child’s library to diversify the images they see in books or to present a reflection of your brown or black child, I highly recommend So Much!
It has been 10 years since I last posted the annual Bellyitch Most Expensive Strollers post. It was a yearly blog post staple and used to get tons of traffic because, honestly, I think people, generally, are obsessed with knowing what baby items are used and coveted by the super wealthy and celebrities.
Since the last post, a few stroller companies have gone out of business. RIP to Orbit, Maclaren and newer brands 4Moms and iCandy, which were once considered “it” strollers in their day but no longer manufacture luxury strollers.
In 2013, I published the list as part of the Bellyitch 100, a book of the top crib makers, maternity wear designers, stroller makers and baby clothes brands.
Anyway, so I used to publish the Most Expensive Strollers list at a time when I was raising a young family and brands would boast that they were on the list.
My social circle at the time included professional working women, stay-at-home moms, and mom bloggers, several who were affluent and looked at the stroller as a status symbol.
Here is another secret about what happens among moms at the park, at the school pick up lot, in the mall and other social places where mommies congregate. They check out what strollers they’re pushing a baby or child in and make judgments.
Yes, there is a definite hierarchy in quality of strollers and believe me when I tell you that certainly check out what stroller another mom’s child is being pushed in and make judgments.
When I was raising my children as a young lawyer, I went through 6 strollers, which is a low number considering many of my friends at the tiem had way more.
Our first stroller was a Peg Perego which converts from a baby carriage or pram to a push stroller. At the time, it was among the best. Then, when my first born turned into a toddler, we ordered theInglesina Swiftumbrella stroller from the Italian stroller manufacturer. It had a great run!
To pair with the Inglesina, a sturdy Italian brand, we got a lower cost Combi umbrella stroller for travel, a stroller we could beat up which was so much less that so that we wouldn’t mind if it got lost by the airline or damaged during travel.
Then, when I was expecting baby #2, I got as an amazing shower gift from my co-workers at my old job: a Peg Prerego Aria doublestroller!
By the time baby number 3 rolled around, the Inglesina had hit the dirt, we left the Combi on some island we visited for vacation once and we had loaned out the Peg Perego Buggy to relatives who didn’t take good care of it.
The wheels on the double gave out and we opted to give to Goodwill rather than try to fix it or get the company to repair it.
B.O.B.
We opted for a lesss expensive Graco Snug Ride for Baby #3 and aB.OB. jogging stroller (the air-filled jogger stroller with hand activated rear wheel brakes that can ride smooth on any terrain) when I was ready to get back in shape.
Now, while we didn’t get any of them to make a statement, I have had many moms and dads comment on the pricier high end ones while walking in the parks, malls etc. People are always looking for a status symbol and there is a preconception that most expensive means the best!
It’s no wonder, you can see celebrities strolling their children in many of those on this list. The celebrities know that too. That is why Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony sued Silver Cross from publishing on their website an unauthorized endorsement which featured a People magazine photo of them pushing their twins in two Silver Cross prams.
People flock to buy whatever celebrities purchase and that stroller companies know that endorsement mean lots for their bottom line.
Anyhoo, on to the list. Of course, as a disclaimer, this list is not exhaustive. As usual, this list is based on my own personal research and I urge readers to point out other vehicles that should grace this list. Certainly, I would amend the post to reflect corrections.
In the meantime, check out this year’s list of “it” strollers pushed by the most Poshest of moms and celebs out there (I’m updating this list with a few more after the initial post so come back and ping me on Twitter if you don’t see one you think should be on this list)
SILVER CROSS
DESCRIPTION: For over 128 years, Silver Cross has been handcrafting traditional prams in Northern England. This hallmark company is known for being pushed by Royals in the UK and across Europe and beyond.
The Silver Cross Balmoral Pram model boasts three coats of high shine lacquer, English leather and is painted by hand and individually numbered.
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, Geri Halliwell Horner (“Ginger Spice”), Nicky Hilton
MIMA
DESCRIPTION: Mima® is an established Dutch designer and manufacturer of strollers and high chairs and a favorite brand for European new parents that want high-end design, functionality and a very chic aesthetic. This relatively new entrant to the market makes a very functional and innovative stroller that features a patented “carrycot inside” system.
The popular Xari Black Chassis Stroller can be used as a carrycot or as a stroller and comes with a reversible seat that allows your baby to face you or the world ahead. It has one of those super fancy simple fold mechanism. It is very stylish and chic and has a design that grows with your child and provides enhanced convenience for parents.
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Kourtney Kardashian, Alex Curran Gerard
CYBEX
DESCRIPTION: CYBEX delivers Versatile, elegant and convenient line of top-notched quality strollers, many that features a reversible seat, one-hand seat recline, and a quick-fold chassis usually in an ultra premium, lightweight design that adapts to your growing family’s changing needs. This American-made Massachusetts company makes renowned products.
The Cybex Priam Cherub Stroller is part of the Cybex Platinum Priam range in collaboration with renowned designer Jeremy Scott, this 3-in-1 stroller has been made from high-quality fabrics with a smart, luxe appearance. Its flexible frame can be turned into a travel system with matching carry cot, combined with one of the brand’s award-winning infant car seats, or transformed into a luxurious stroller sporting a reversible seat unit. A vibrant cherub print and golden wing attachments offer a heavenly touch to suit your little angel.
DESCRIPTION: The StokkE brand of stroller is an “it” stroller indeed. And about a decade ago, this Norweigian company’s strollers slowly replaced the Bugaboo as the favorite or wannabes, posers and the nouveau riche. The babies inside these strollers are decked out in mini-adult Designer clothes. The diamonds on the hands of the moms pushing these things can put your eye out, I mean the shine is that bright. And they are being folded and thrown in the back of Land Rovers. Pretentious? Naaaah! Their owners just appreciate a gorgeous quality crafted stroller, that’s all (wink).
The Stokke™ Xplory® Complete baby stroller is the only stroller you’ll ever need to buy! The Stokke Xplory Complete is an innovative urban stroller that adapts to your changing needs.
DESCRIPTION: This Dutch company has had a major mark in the business since the early 1990s. The strollers Bugaboo manufacture guarantee a full of smooth ride, no matter the surface, city street or bumpy park. The brand has long been considered a posh status symbol and continues.
The classic Donkey buggy is fully loaded with push handle to shift the wheels to tackle any terrain, 5 harness straps, multiple recline position, a spacious under carriage bassinet, as well as a reversible, fully reclining seat.
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Leelee Sobieski, Amy Poehler, Julianna Marguiles, Jon Stewart, Matthew McConaughey and Gwen Stefani
PHIL & TED’S
DESCRIPTION: Phil & Ted’s is a small New Zealand company that has made children’s products for over 20 years and about a decade ago was known for its super sturdy brand of tough terrain buggies and strollers for the rugged athletic and sports enthusiast parent who takes baby out on jobs and mountain hikes. It is still the market but has retreated to a smaller share given new competitors on the market.
Its Sport Stroller line feature a smart handle with one touch brake, smart fold, aluminum frame, and top quality tough, washable cloth.
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Jessica Alba and Cash Warren, Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts
JOOLZ
DESCRIPTION: Joolz is a very new entrant to the market. This Australian company hinges its products on sustainable and eco-friendly renewable design and materials.
The Joolz Geo² Studio Complete Stroller features a modular design that offers 3 different configurations that make it the ultimate stroller for any family adventure. The award-winning design captures ergonomic comfort, ease, style, and maneuverability. It can be used as a toddler stroller, a modern pram for newborns, and an infant car seat carrier
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Harry Judd, Carey Mulligan
UPPA BABY
DESCRIPTION:
Another American company is Boston, Massachussets-based UPPAbaby which makes innovative, high-quality strollers and car seats that fit the needs of parents, while appealing to the sense of style they’ve always had.
The VISTA convertible stroller allows for multiple configurations to transport up to three children, making it a great choice for growing families. The included bassinet features a longer, ventilated mattress, while the toddler seat is perfect as your little one grows. It has a telescoping handlebar and a large, easy-access under-seat basket that holds up to 30 lb. make the VISTA fuss-free for parents.
DESCRIPTION: When I started having a family, the Peg Perego was the it stroller. It is an Italian family-owned brand which makes baby strollers, car seats, high chairs and kid-sized riding toys for children and babies all over the world.
The versatile and agile Duette Piroet inline double stroller by Peg Perego can easily pass through narrow places, folds compactly, and is travel system ready. Comes with two independent adjustable seats with reclining backrests and two-position footrests. Peg Perego Duette Piroet features a versatile and extremely agile Italian inline double stroller design that can easily go through narrow pathways and allows various seating configurations for twins or different age siblings
DESCRIPTION: This is another relatively new arrival for city dwellers and traveling families. Babyzen manufactures and markets baby products and designs, produces, and sells collapsible baby strollers. Babyzen offers its produces to retailers throughout Europe and internationally.
The BABYZEN YOYO+ comes ready to roll, complete with the YOYO Newborn and Seat Color Pack Fabric Sets. The YOYO+ is an incredibly lightweight, compact stroller and steers easily even with one hand, allowing you to navigate corners and tight spaces. An underseat storage basket makes a convenient spot for on-the-go items, and an included travel bag is perfect for storage.
DESCRIPTION: Yet another Dutch stroller manufacturer whose name has been synonymous with top quality is Quinny. This company is among Europe’s most respected stroller brand and set the standard for engineering, design and trendsetting style.The Quinny line offers clever solutions for the confident parent of today; solutions that are made with parents and their lifestyles in mind. Stroll with ease and in stylish comfort with the rugged and innovative
The Quinny Mood Stroller features a unique hydraulic system that automatically unfolds stroller, plus never-flat, all-terrain tires that allow you and baby to conquer any terrain.
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Allyson Hannigan, Ali Landry
AUSTLEN
DESCRIPTION: This is another American baby product company. The Austin, Texas company boasts a staff of in-house engineers, mostly made up of parents, that make products to accommodate the daily lives and frustrations of new moms and dads. They’ve stopped at nothing to create intuitive, purpose-driven, well-made products that make family life easier and more fun — giving parents more freedom to live in the moment without being overwhelmed by more and more.
The flagship model, the Entourage, is perfect for families on-the-go. This one-handed expandable frame has three positions, 5 recline positions, a market tote and expandable lower storage area, giving you the freedom to travel anywhere in comfort.
THULE
DESCRIPTION
Thule is an established Swedish outdoors and transportation products manufacturer that is a leader in cargo carriers for automobiles. It recently expanded to get into the stroller biz.
The Thule Sleek is a stylish stroller for on-the-go travel adventures with the ever-innovative, marvelously multifunctional which features a ventilated canopy, a convenient window, a reversible seat, generous seating options and more.
MAXI-COSI
DESCRIPTION: Another Dutch company is Maxi-Cosi which started in the 1980s as one of Europe’s first permiere car seat manufacturers. It has since expanded and updated its quality of strollers to the point that is competes with the other exquisite brands out here.
Travel everywhere with ease with the Lila Modular Stroller is a convenient, compact and extra comfortable, making it great for dining out, shopping or vacation that is good with maneuverability and can accommodate an infant seat. It’s perfect for a growing family because it can easily turn into a dual stroller.
BABY JOGGER
DESCRIPTION This Richmond, Virginia-based company launched one of the first jogging strollers in the 1980s. It designs and manufactures jogging strollers and all-terrain strollers and offers strollers and joggers, such as urban use and three wheeled all-terrain strollers; and accessories. The company also provides dependable push chairs for children and adults with physical disabilities.
The City Select LUX is a rugged yet streamlined stroller features an extra seat with a telescoping handlebar adjusts to just the right height, while the hand-operated decelerating and parking brake provides additional peace of mind.
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Toby McGuire, Ellen Pompeo, Elizabeth Banks, Miranda Kerr
NUNA
DESCRIPTION: This Dutch company started out as a baby furniture maker and expanded to strollers. Today, it is a premiere must-have stroller for the upper echelon. I love the logo.
The Nuna MIXX Travel System includes a stroller and the company’s featherlight PIPA Lite LX Car Seat which makes one superb travel system. An ideal set for you, but especially for your little one.
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Gwen Stefani, Molly Sims, Jaime King
There you have it! Good luck stroller shop or social climbing, whatever floats your boat!
“Very excited to share this special news with you my loves,” she captioned a video announcement of herself and Michael that ended with a sonogram and the baby’s due date, July 2019. “Michael and I are thrilled to welcome a bundle of joy into our lives. The most incredible gift imaginable! Love and light to you.”
“I’m so excited,” the “OZ” Arlington, Virginia restaurant co-owner gushed with the magazine. “When I used to hear people talk about having a child and the miracle of life inside you, I know that sounds great, but then to actually experience it? It’s the most all-encompassing feeling ever. I never imagined I’d feel this much love … it’s the pinnacle!”
This news came right after she suffered a miscarriage last year as well.
“At the time, I didn’t fully understand the magnitude of how it would affect us as a couple and as individuals because we kind of thought it would be a given that we would just be able to have children,” the reality TV star added. “But it was challenging.”
The former Miss District of Columbia added the miscarriage, “was such a traumatic experience,” but credits her husband who is already a dad of two adult children, ages 24 and 27 from a previous relationship, for getting her buy.
“It was very impactful for him because he understands the feelings of being a dad,” the UUniversity of Maryland alum shares. “It was so new to me, but he could help me through that.”
It’s also after a rough patch documented between season two and three of the hit Bravo TV show. The couple had separated and Ashley was living in her own apartment in VA.
The news of the second pregnancy came as a total surprise.
“We found out in the beginning of November,” she revealed in the magazine. “I had just been healing out of it and I thought I was getting sick because of the change of season. I wasn’t feeling too well. Something just told me to take the test, really not expecting a positive result. And then lo and behold, there were two solid lines.”
The Darby’s co-star Monique Samuels just had her third child, son Chase. Over at the Real Housewives of Atlanta, alum Kenya Moore welcomed her daughter Brooklyn Doris last November while RHOA Friend of the Housewife Shamea Morton Mwagani had her first child, a daughter too, Shya Nyambura, while current Housewife Porsha Williams is expecting her first daughter too.
The world’s first in-vitro fertilization baby was born in 1978 in the UK. Since then, 8 million babies have been born worldwide as a result of IVF and other advanced fertility treatments, an international committee estimates.
More than a half a million babies are born each year from IVF and other methods, according to estimates
More than 2 million IVF cycles are made each year
Many women are under the impression that pregnancy can wait- when in fact, there is evidence to support aging plays a direct role in delaying pregnancy
What can a woman do at each age and stage? Thanks to advances in modern medicine, including IVF, women have more options than ever before
In addition to IVF, options also include freezing your eggs until you’re ready to start a family, there by preserving your eggs in your “prime”
As more and more celebrities get pregnant later in life, the average woman is left thinking that she too can wait until her late 30s or 40s to start planning a family. According to Dr. Elizabeth Barbieri of Oregon Reproductive Medicine, that’s not always the case. “Many celebrities are inadvertently setting unrealistic expectations for many women that it will be easy to get pregnant naturally in their 40s, when in fact a lot of these celebrities have struggled, and have had a little assistance along the way, including IVF.” According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) a woman’s best reproductive years are in her 20s. Women in their 30s have a 20% chance of getting pregnant and by age 40, a woman’s chance of getting pregnant is less than 5%.
With many women delaying pregnancy until their 30s and 40s, fertility issues are becoming a growing topic of concern. According to Dr. Barbieri, women need to think ahead and have a game plan, as there’s many things women need to consider in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
“Whether you’re a new college graduate that is just starting out on your career path, or if you’re in an established relationship in your 30s and trying to get pregnant without success, there’s a variety of options available to women on their journey to parenthood. Knowing more can help people take control of their fertility so they can start a family when the time is right for them.”
Things to consider in your 20s:
Women’s eggs age as we age. We are born with all the eggs we will ever have. The number of eggs actually peaks while we are a fetus, and by birth, we have about 1 million eggs left. When a girl begins her menstrual cycle during puberty, she has about 500,000 eggs left….and she hasn’t even had a chance to use one yet!
As women get older, our eggs do not function as well – meaning they are less likely to result in a pregnancy, and that if a pregnancy occurs, the risk of miscarriage increases as well.
How to Live Life
At any age, ways that a woman can optimize her ability to successfully conceive includes having a healthy lifestyle. Do not smoke. Limit alcohol intake to 4 or fewer drinks per week (for both partners). Maintain a healthy weight as women who are underweight or overweight can take longer to conceive. Take a daily prenatal vitamin (or folic acid supplement). Monitor your menstrual cycle as having regular periods (which is defined as occurring every 24-35 days) to ensure you are ovulating so that you have a chance to conceive when you are ready.
What To Do If Something Is Off
If a woman’s menstrual cycle is irregular, she may not be ovulating, and therefore, it will be harder (if not impossible) to get pregnant. Seeing your OB-Gyn to evaluate for causes of an ovulation/irregular periods can help identify and treat the reason you are not ovulating to help restore regular menstrual cycles.
Things to consider in your 30s:
The chance of getting pregnant each month declines progressively throughout a woman’s 30’s. In the early 30’s, the chance of pregnancy each cycle is approximately 20%. At 35 years old the chance of pregnancy each cycle is 15% and decreases to 5% as a woman approaches 40 year old. The age related decline in fertility is accompanied by a significant increase in the risk of miscarriage.
The risk of miscarriage for women under 35 y/o is approximately 15% and increases to 30% at 40 years old
When should women in their 30s get help if they can’t conceive?
Honestly, it is never too early for a woman to begin a conversation with her health care provider about her fertility. Women who are under 35 years old should seek evaluation if they have failed to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse. Given the age related changes in fertility, women over the age of 35 years old should seek help after 6 months of trying.
What risk factors may make it more difficult to become pregnant?
There are several factors that can affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant. Some of these are modifiable and some of them are not. It can be more difficult to conceive if a woman has irregular menstrual cycles or issues with the uterus or fallopian tubes. The uterus can be affected by the presence of fibroids or scar tissue, whereas, having a history of pelvic infections or endometriosis can affect the fallopian tubes.
Lifestyle factors can also affect fertility. For example, women who are either overweight (BMI>35) or underweight (BMI < 19) can have difficulty conceiving.
Tobacco use and heavy caffeine use can also affect fertility. Women trying to conceive maintain a healthy diet, avoid tobacco and use caffeine in moderation (<250 mg caffeine per day).
Twenty percent of the time the reasons for infertility are due to male factors. It is important that the male partner be included in the evaluation!
What can be done if a women in her 30s is facing infertility?
The first step is to have a conversation with a healthcare professional. This can be a primary care provider, general OB/GYN or a Reproductive Endocrinologist.
A Reproductive Endocrinologist is an OB/GYN who has completed sub specialty training in fertility. Having this conversation will provide for the opportunity to thoroughly review the medical history and determine if there are risk factors present that may be affecting their ability to conceive. Further evaluation can then be performed to evaluate for these factors. The basic fertility evaluation typically includes evaluation of the health of the women’s eggs, confirming that the fallopian tubes are patent and performing a semen analysis to evaluate the sperm.
Additional testing may be recommended if other risk factors are present.
Between what ages is egg freezing most successful?
Because of the age related changes in egg quality that occur during the 30’s, the earlier the process is completed the greater the chance of obtaining healthier eggs.
What should you keep in mind about risks to mom and baby in your 30s?
The most important thing to remember is that it is absolutely possible for women to have healthy babies throughout their 30’s. Although it may become more difficult to conceive as a woman gets older there are safe and effective treatments to help women grow their families.
Because the risk of chromosomal abnormalities increase as a woman gets older, additional testing may be recommended during a pregnancy to ensure the genetic health of the baby.
This may include a simple blood test or a more invasive procedure, such as amniocentesis. There are also fertility treatments available to evaluate this risk prior to conceiving a baby.
What other kind of fertility care is available to women besides egg freezing?
Egg freezing is a great option for women who are planning to delay child-bearing. Because of the changes that occur with the quality of the eggs as a woman gets older, freezing eggs at a younger age will help increase the chances of having healthy eggs in the future when she is ready.
There are many treatment options available for women and couples who are actively trying to conceive, but having difficulty. The specific treatment is generally determined based on the factors that are contributing to the fertility issues. There are more conservative treatment options available including the use of medications to help the ovaries release more eggs and/or intrauterine insemination (IUI). Some find that they need to utilize more advanced forms of treatment, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) in order to conceive. IVF is a process where the eggs in a woman’s ovaries are stimulated to mature and then removed through a simple surgical procedure. The eggs are then fertilized with the sperm and embryos are grown in the laboratory for several days.
A healthy embryo can then be returned to the women’s uterus or additional testing can be performed to evaluate the genetic health of the embryo prior to embryo transfer.
This testing is referred to as Preimplantation Genetic Testing. Once the testing has been performed an embryo will be selected and then transferred to the woman’s uterus.
Things to consider in your 40s:
What happens to egg quality once women are older?
The total number of eggs in the ovaries decreases as a woman ages. Additionally, a lower percentage of the remaining eggs will contain the correct number of chromosomes (46 chromosomes). Females are born with all the eggs they will ever have, which is approximately 1-2 million—and at the time of puberty, there are approximately 300,000-500,000 remaining eggs.
When a woman reaches her late thirties, she has about 25,000 eggs remaining—and at menopause, this number likely reaches less than 1,000.
The decline in both the number and quality of eggs can also be influenced by environmental factors including chemotherapy, pelvic radiation, smoking, or ovarian surgery; or by genetic abnormalities such as Fragile X. Despite the multiple tests available to evaluate a woman’s ovarian reserve, the best indicator of egg quality is age.
When should women in their 40s get help if they can’t conceive?
If a woman is experiencing infertility in her 40s, the best initial step is early evaluation. By taking the first step to make an appointment with an infertility specialist, a woman can better understand her overall fertility potential.
At this appointment, a doctor will discuss simple testing that can be used to determine overall ovarian reserve, as well as other diagnostic tests that can evaluate whether she is ovulating, the status of her fallopian tubes, and the semen quality of her sperm source.
Earlier detection can lead to earlier intervention and treatment to increase a woman’s chance of success.
What can be done if a women in her 40s is facing infertility?
After the infertility evaluation is completed, a woman’s provider will often recommend advanced reproductive technologies including standard IVF, minimal stimulation IVF, donor egg, or donor embryo.
There are multiple stimulation protocols for IVF. A woman’s provider will work closely with her to personalize the treatment based on her infertility evaluation, personal and medical history, and desired treatment option.
If a woman in her 40s is facing infertility, she will discuss all the available options with her provider—as there are many different ways to build a family.
If a woman has had her eggs frozen, can she become pregnant in her 40s?
Yes! A woman in her 40s can decide to thaw her frozen eggs when she is ready. An infertility clinic will inseminate the eggs with sperm, and follow them in a controlled environment as they grow from fertilization to a blastocyst (day 5 or 6 embryo).
Embryos can be transferred into the woman’s uterus at this point, or she might choose to have the embryos tested for genetic abnormalities prior to the transfer. It is important to realize that not all embryo transfers will result in pregnancies or live births. In fact, the literature would estimate a 2-5% live birth rate per embryo.
Most importantly, a woman should speak with her IVF clinic to become well informed about her chances for pregnancy.
If you’re interested in improving you fertility, or just improving your chances of having a child, visit a fertility clinic like Fertility Plus to explore all of your available options.
It recently occurred to me that since 54-year old actress Brigitte Nielsengave birth to her 5th child last year, I haven’t updated my growing list of celebrity women who gave birth over the age of 40.
It was about 40 when I last posted and since then we are up to 50! Here they are and if I missed any, please ping me in social media @Bellyitch on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram! Thanks!
ALYSSA MILANO was 41 in 2014 when she gave birth to daughter Elizabella Dylan Bugliari.
ANA ORTIZ had just turned 40 when she gave birth to her 2nd child.
ANNETTE BENING has four kids with Warren Beatty and gave birth to her youngest at age 42.
AUDRA MCDONALD was 46 when she welcomed her surprise baby in 2016.
BEVERLY D’ANGELO welcomed her twins at age
BRIGITTE NIELSEN was 54 when she gave birth to her fifth child and first daughter, Frida, in June 2018.
BROOKE SHIELDS underwent seven rounds of in vitro fertilization treatments. After these treatments, she gave birth to her first child, Rowan, at age 37. At the age of 40, she traditionally conceived her daughter, Grier, with husband Chris Henchy.
CELINE DION was 42 when she gave birth to her twin boys
CHERYL TIEGS had her first child, a son, at age 44.
DOMINIQUE DAWES welcomed her fraternal twins, son Lincoln and daughter Dakota, in late January at age 41.
EMMA THOMPSON spent several years trying to have a baby. She opted for in vitro fertilization treatments and eventually welcomed daughter, Gaia, in her 40s.
EVA LONGORIA was 43 when she welcomed her first child, son, Santiago.
EVA MENDES was 42 when she gave birth to her second child with husband Ryan Gosling and 40 for her first.
GERI HALLIWELL was 44 when she welcomed her son in 2017,.
GWEN STEFANI was 44 when she welcomed her 3rd son, Apollo.
HALLE BERRY had her daughter Nahla at age 41, and her son Maceo at age 46.
HELEN HUNT gave birth to her first kid, Makenalei Gordon in May 2004, with boyfriend, Matthew Carnahan when she was 43.
IMAN was 45 when she welcomed her second son with David Bowie.
JAMIE PRESLEY had a set of twins at age right after she turned 40 last March.
JANE KRACOWSKI surprised everyone when at 45 she had her first child, a son.
JANE SEYMOUR was already a mother of four at the age of 45 when she underwent fertility treatments in her mid-40s after her divorce with former husband. She and her current husband, director James Keach, welcomed twins, Johnny and Kristopher in 1995.
JANET JACKSON welcomed son Essia at age 50.
JENNIFER CONNELLY was 43 when her 3rd kid, daughter Agnes, was born
JERRY HALL, Ex-wife of singer Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones’ lead singer, gave birth to the last of her four children, Gabriel, at 41.
JUDY REYES was 41 when she welcomed daughter Leila in 2009.
JULIANNE MOORE gave birth to her similarly redheaded second child, Liv Helen, at age 41.
KELLY PRESTON had her son Benjamin Travolta at age 48.
KENYA MOORE welcomed her first child, daughter Brooklyn at age 47.
KIM FIELDS was 44 when she and her hubby welcomed their second son Quincy.
LAURA LINNEY welcomed her first child at age 49.
LISA LING was 42 when she gave birth to her second child, daughter Ray in summer 2016.
LISA LOEB quietly welcomed her 4th child at age 45, a son named Emet.
MARCIA CROSS, star of Desperate Wives, gave birth to fraternal twins, Eden and Savannah, at age 44, with husband, Tom Mahoney, in February 2007.
MARCIA GAY HARDEN was 44 when she gave birth to her twins
MADONNA was 41 when she gave birth to her son Rocco.
MARIAH CAREY was 42 when she welcomed her twin, Morrocan and Monroe.
MARISKA HARGITAY was 42 when she gave birth to her first child, a son and later went on to adopt more kids
MAYA RUDOLPH was 41 when she gave birth to her 4th child.
MERYL STREEP was 41 in 1991 when she welcomed her last of 4 kids.
MIMI ROGERS was 45 when she gave birth to her last child, a son.
MIRA SORVINO was 44 when she welcomed her daughter Lucia and was 41 when she welcomed her son. She has 4 kids total.
MOLLY RINGWALD was also in her 40s, age 46, when she welcomed her twins.
MOMICA BELLUCCI, Italian actress, gave birth to her second child at age 45
NANCY GRACE was 48 when she welcomed her twins, John and Lucy.
NIA LONG gave birth to her second son when she was 41.
NICOLE KIDMAN gave birth to her first child, Sunday Rose, at the age of 40 with her husband, Keith Urban.
RACHEL ZOE was 42 when she welcomed her 2nd son, Kaius.
RASHIDA JONES welcomed her first child, son, Sam at age 42.
SALMA HAYEK gave birth to her first child, Valentina Paloma, at age 41, in September 2007 with her then-fiance, French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault. They later married in April 2009 before eventually divorcing.
SUSAN SARANDON gave birth to her son, Jack at age 42. Three years later, she welcomed another son, Miles, at age 45.
TAMIKA “TINY” HARRIS was 40 when she gave birth to her last child, daughter Heiress.
THANDIE NEWTON had just turned 41 when she gave birth to her 3rd child, a son, Booker Jombe Parker.
TINA FEY gave birth to her first child, daughter Penelope at 41, and a second daughter Alice two years later at age 43.
TORI SPELLING was 43 when she welcomed her fifth child.
UMA THURMAN was 42 when she gave birth to her first kid with beau Arpad Busson.
VANNA WHITE gave birth to her daughter the same year she turned 40.
Now that we know that Bravo TV creator and host Andy Cohen is expecting his first child, it’s probably a good time to check in on some other “Bravocelebrities” who were expecting last year.
Shahs of Sunset Star Mercedes “MJ” Javid and her new husband Tommy Feight are expecting their first child thanks to the miracles of IVF treatment. The realtor announced the news during her show’s reunion episode and took to twitter later to Twitter to share her excitement about the baby’s due date “Due on Mother’s Day! So excited to experience motherhood and all that comes with it.”The original story continues below.
In an interview withThe Feast earlier this month, MJ, who underwent IVF, said she’s “not feeling pregnant. No morning sickness. No fatigue. Nothing.” In a subsequent interview with Us Weekly, MJ revealed that she is due May 12 — Mother’s Day — and that she and Tommy already have a name picked out for the baby.
“We do happen to have the name,” MJ said. “And the name is actually unisex. We’re holding onto that.”
Real Housewives of Potomac Star Monique Samuels announced the arrival of her and hubby ex NFLer Chris Samuels newborn on November 26.
“It’s… A… BOY!!!! Told yall! I’m 3 for 3 with guessing genders now ???? Chase Omari Samuels born 1 week early (today) at 4:56pm weighing 8lbs 15oz21” long!” she shared on Instagram back in November about the surprise gender reveal because she didnt’ find out the baby’s sex before birth. “Thank God for a safe and fast delivery and one healthy baby boy!!!! Thank you all for the well wishes and prayers ??? Thank you @people for another amazing exclusive and thanks to my sister @callme_tosh who took all these pics ? and didn’t pass out while I pushed the baby out ??? .”
Three days prior, Real Housewives of Atlanta “friend of the housewives” Shamea Morton and her husband welcomed their firs child, daughter Shya Nyambura Mwangi also on November 25th!
She took her daughter out in public for the first time today. Yeah, she’s a real first time moma! I can totally relate to being over protective!
Another Atlanta Star Porsha Wiliams and her fiance Dennis headed south to the Bahamas for a baby moon over the holidays and took a photographer with her to snap some sexy maternity portraits on the beach.
