When should you start thinking about your fertility?
Starting a family is "the dream" for many people. As Marie tells Anna, it’s important to become fertility aware from an early age, particularly as one in seven couples in the UK encounter issues with conceiving.
There are, of course, certain myths surrounding the nature of having a baby which doesn't always help. These include women not needing to worry about fertility until their 30s or, indeed, men remaining as fertile at 75 as they were at 21 – wishful thinking fellas!
As Julia Bradbury explains, after being diagnosed with endometriosis in her mid-30s, there were many emotional highs and lows before she gave birth to her first child naturally at 40, and then to twins - through IVF - at 43.
One thing is undeniable though – when trying to conceive staying as healthy and stress-free as possible does no harm at all.
Episode 12 - Understanding your fertility
Listen to Understanding Your Fertility now:
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Things we learn in this fertility episode
Fertility awareness Fiction
"Women shouldn’t worry about their fertility until they are in their 30s."
This is fiction. Marie tells Anna that it’s important to become fertility aware from an early age.
Male fertility Fiction
This is unfortunately fiction. Our understanding of the quality and quantity of sperm has changed. Marie explains that men also face increased risks when having a child later in life, and shouldn’t take their fertility for granted.
Fertility awareness Fact
This is a fact! A healthy lifestyle can increase your chances of success when trying for a baby. Marie explains the importance of a healthy and stress-free lifestyle when trying to conceive.
Find out about having a health assessment with HCA’s Fit for Fertility service.
IVF Fiction
Read about Jayne’s IVF treatment.
Fertility age Fiction
Useful links from today's fertility episode
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Dr Marie Wren
Dr Marie Wren is the deputy medical director at The Lister Fertility Clinic and has been a leading specialist in fertility treatment since 1987. Dr Wren’s areas of interest include fertility and infertility, assisted fertility treatments, and helping same-sex couples receive the necessary fertility treatment. Alongside this, Dr Wren is interested in egg donation, sperm donation and egg-freezing.
Dr Marie Wren is passionate about helping couples to receive the fertility treatment they may need, and ultimately strives to change their lives for the better. In addition to the life-changing work that Dr Wren carries out at the Lister Fertility Clinic, she regularly speaks at fertility meetings, contributes to national journals, and supports pioneering fertility research projects.
Julia Bradbury
Julia, along with an estimated one in every 10 women, suffers with endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition which can cause fertility issues. Despite the implications that endometriosis can have on fertility, Julia conceived her first child naturally in 2011. Following the birth of her first child, Julia decided at the age of 44 that she wanted to expand her family but was unable to conceive again naturally, and so with her partner decided to undergo IVF treatment. After undergoing multiple rounds of IVF, Julia’s fifth round of IVF was successful and lead to the birth of her twin daughters, Xanthe and Zena.
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