More women are becoming pregnant later in life. Some will be first-time mothers, while others are having another child. Older mothers may be more financially stable or settled in their careers. They also may feel better able to care for a baby than a young mother would. But do older mothers and their babies face additional risks?

Women in their 30s and beyond are having more babies than before, while their younger counterparts are experiencing a birth rate slow-down. This trend takes the 25- to 29-year-olds out of the top birth rate for the first time in over 30 years. If you're considering having a baby, here's what you need to know about getting pregnant after 30, including fertility, conception, pregnancy, labor, and birth.

How to prepare for pregnancy in the late 30s?

Every couple who’s trying to get pregnant will keep an anxious eye on the Prega news test kit when they think they are pregnant. While for some the two pink lines on the Prega News test may show up early, for others it may take a little longer to succeed at trying to get pregnant. Many factors that affect fertility increase with age, and women in their early to late 30s may have a more challenging journey to pregnancy than their younger counterparts. However, the numbers vary and while there’s no specific thumb rule to determine one’s chances of getting pregnant, there are significant studies that have been done to study the fertility rates among women when they hit the milestone of 30. The good news is that, even in your 30s, there’s a significant chance of getting a positive Prega News test result, when you follow all the health advice and lead a healthy lifestyle. The risk of pregnancy after the 30s has also been widely discussed which can make many women anxious, but as more and more women are choosing a later pregnancy than earlier times, it’s important to learn more about this, rather than believing myths and hearsay. Pregnancy after your 30s can also be a joyful thing - so here’s more on what to expect when planning or being pregnant in your 30s!

 Chances of getting pregnant in your 30s :

The woman’s most fertile period to conceive is considered to be the 20s but all is not lost when it comes to planning a pregnancy in the 30s. While age does decrease fertility, your chances of conceiving in your early 30s are only slightly lower than in your 20s. However, the chances of getting pregnant in your late 30s or post-35 are significantly reduced, although not impossible. With proper diet and lifestyle and medical advice, it is still possible to have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby in your 30s. Many studies suggest that couples trying for a year in their early 30s have a 86% chance of getting pregnant. However, women in their mid-30s and later 30s can take a longer time to conceive. Doctors suggest seeking help if you have been trying unsuccessfully for over six months at a time.

 Pros and Cons of conceiving in the 30s :

Many women consider their 30s to be an ideal period for motherhood. There are many pros to having a child during this time. Financially you are more stable and emotionally you are deeply connected with your partner. Women in their 30s are still energetic and resilient and thus make active parents. It is also a more mature age and many women feel they have a better understanding of themselves and their relationship at this stage, all of which make for a better parenthood experience both for the parents and the children.

On the flip side, getting pregnant in your late 30s is more difficult than at an earlier stage and can pose some physical as well as psychological problems. Some may even feel a drop in their energy levels and may find their peers with older kids, thus feeling socially awkward or feeling isolated. A later pregnancy also increases the chances of complications by 20%, thus scaring many women.

 Things must do while planning to get pregnant :

 Like everything else in life, a couple’s pregnancy should also be carefully planned. After all, this is a journey of a lifetime and one must ensure that they take every step to make it an enjoyable, healthy, and successful one. When you are planning to get pregnant, it’s best to ask your doctor for a complete health check-up for the same. Apart from monitoring regular health and fertility, this is also an opportunity to rule out any genetic illnesses, etc. Your doctor will also help you lead a better lifestyle by eating right, exercising, and quitting any ill habits. This is the time to be in the best shape for a healthy baby and pregnancy. It is also a time to be in your best mental health, so have open communication with your partner about everything and seek a professional’s help if you are too bogged down by pregnancy worries and have anxiety about the same.