NATURE WAITS FOR NO ONE, AND THIS IS PARTICULARLY TRUE WHEN TRYING FOR A BABY. SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK INTO FERTILITY SCREENING NOW RATHER THAN LATER.

As your fertility clock ticks onward, what can you do to help increase your chances of conceiving?

If you’re trying for a baby, what do you need to know beforehand? Dr Olivia Stuart, Fertility Specialist, Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at Fertility Associates Auckland, sheds some light.

Kiwi women are having their first baby later in life. We are being told to reach our career potential, be financially secure, and have a suitable partner before we start a family. This means that many women are hoping to become pregnant in their late 30s and early 40s, at a time when our fertility is already declining. My advice to all women considering having a baby in their 30s and 40s is to understand your own biological clock.

Fertility Associates has developed an online tool to help identify a woman's chances of giving birth at any given age. It is also designed to help identify the right time to seek help if you are not getting pregnant.

Check it out at biologicalclock.co.nz.

When trying for a baby, there are some important changes you can make to your lifestyle to increase your chances of having a healthy baby.

FOR WOMEN

• Have a BMI of 20-25. A healthy body mass index (BMI) is associated with better fertility. Being overweight or underweight can reduce fertility, so it is important to keep your body weight within the normal healthy range. Body Mass Index (BMI) is an indication of your body weight and can be calculated by dividing weight (in kg) divided by your height (in metres squared). You should aim for a BMI of between 20 and 25, as this will optimise your chances of conception. Pregnancy in overweight women is associated with problems such as ... BUY BUMP&baby ISSUE 3 FOR THE FULL STORY