Realizing a desired family size: when should couples start?

ABSTRACT:

Study question

Until what age can couples wait to start a family without compromising their chances of realizing the desired number of children?

Summary answer

The latest female age at which a couple should start trying to become pregnant strongly depends on the importance attached to achieving a desired family size and on whether or not IVF is an acceptable option in case no natural pregnancy occurs.

What is known already

It is well established that the treatment-independent and treatment-dependent chances of pregnancy decline with female age. However, research on the effect of age has focused on the chance of a first pregnancy and not on realizing more than one child.

Study design, size, duration

An established computer simulation model of fertility, updated

SUBMITTER: Habbema JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4542717 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature