Obviously there is no 100% steadfast answer to this question, but there are some things to consider…

Deciding on the right time to have a baby is not always easy, some may feel that it’s never the right time, some people have this planned years beforehand and sometimes it just happens! Other things that get in the way is finding “Mr Right”, your career, travel and money. It’s not surprising that now the average age for a first time mum has risen to 31.

However, medically speaking your 20s are actually the best years to have children because fertility and medical risks are at their lowest. Professor Robert Norman, director of the Robinson Institute at the University of Adelaide supports this, he says that the ideal time to have children is in your 20s, but teenage pregnancies are riskier; “there are more problems such as going into labour early, being undernourished and having a smaller baby. But if there’s good family support you would expect the baby to do well.” Although, research has shown women in their 20s are more susceptible to psychological difficulties after the baby is born. Often they feel they’ve missed out on career or travel opportunities. On the flipside, a recent survey by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found younger mothers tend to be more relaxed and willing to “go with flow” than older mums.

However, you maybe more financially secure and mentally ready for a child as you get older. For older women, the birth rate has more than doubled in the past 25 years. Women aged between 35 and 44 are now responsible for more than 20% of all births. At the other end of the scale, teenage pregnancies are also on the rise.

Experts say regardless of age, leading a healthy lifestyle before and during pregnancy will maximise your chances of having a healthy baby. Once you hit your 30s there is more likelihood of having multiple births – all those twins born to older mums are not necessarily due to IVF. You’re also looking at a higher risk of pregnancy-related diabetes, pre-eclampsia, chromosomal abnormalities and caesareans. But Dr Norman says older women who are fit and healthy are more likely to have healthy babies. Couples should aim to be in the best possible health before they conceive.

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