Many women begin to wonder about the chances of pregnancy at 35 as family planning becomes more urgent. SensIQ recognizes that this stage can bring both hope and concern, especially when answers feel unclear or conflicting.
Dr. Luke Barr, Chief Medical Officer at SensIQ, emphasizes that understanding fertility changes at this age helps women make informed and confident choices.
Key Takeaways
- At age 35, fertility declines but many women still have a 15–20% chance of conception per cycle with proper support and prenatal care.
- Risks such as miscarriage, high blood pressure, and gestational diabetes increase with age, making medical guidance especially important.
- Egg count and quality decrease by 35, which can affect conception rates and raise the chance of chromosome abnormalities.
- Natural pregnancy after 35 remains possible, but timelines may be longer, and fertility treatments can provide additional options if needed.
- Lifestyle choices like maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and managing stress can improve the chances of achieving a healthy pregnancy.
Pregnancy Odds at 35
What are the chances at 35 years old?
At age 35, the average woman has about a 15–20% chance of conceiving naturally per menstrual cycle¹. These odds are lower than in the early 30s but still allow for many healthy pregnancies. Doctors often note that fertility declines gradually and then more sharply as women approach age 40².
Is it harder to get pregnant at 35?
Yes, fertility declines with age. Women age 35 may need more cycles to achieve conception compared with younger women. While many still succeed without medical assistance, the number of eggs available is lower and egg quality decreases. This natural decline makes the chances of getting pregnant at 35 more challenging than in earlier years³.
Getting pregnant at 34 vs 35
The shift from 34 to 35 may not feel significant, but reproductive medicine classifies 35 as “advanced maternal age.” This is because aging affects fertility at a measurable level. Women at 34 generally have a slightly higher monthly conception rate than at 35, though the difference is gradual rather than sudden⁴.
Female fertility age chart
Fertility data often appear in charts that show declining odds of conception with age. These charts highlight that the chances of falling pregnant at 35 are lower than at 25, but far from impossible. By age 40, the decline is steeper, showing the clear impact of how fertility declines with age⁵.
Risks and Benefits After 35
Risk of pregnancy at 35 years
Pregnancy at 35 carries some increased risk compared with younger ages. Risks of miscarriage and complications such as high blood pressure or gestational diabetes increase with age⁶. However, most women age 35 can still achieve a healthy pregnancy with proper medical support and prenatal care.
Pregnancy risks by age chart
Charts showing pregnancy risks by age often highlight gradual increases in miscarriage and stillbirth rates. By age 35, the risk of miscarriage may rise to around 20%, compared to 10–15% in the early 30s⁷. The risk continues to increase with each year after age 35.
Benefits of having a baby after 35
There are also benefits. Many women at this stage have more stability, emotional maturity, and resources to support a child. Having children later can mean greater readiness, stronger relationships, and financial security. Studies suggest women in their mid-30s may be more prepared to manage the demands of parenthood⁸.
Pregnancy age limit
There is no strict age limit for pregnancy, but success rates decline sharply after age 40. Doctors recommend that women who want children consider fertility plans before age 40, as natural chances of conception become significantly lower by this stage. With the right fertility treatments, some pregnancies occur even later, but they require careful medical oversight⁹.
Egg Count at 35
How many eggs are left at 35?
By age 35, most women have around 25,000–30,000 eggs remaining compared to about 300,000 at puberty¹⁰. This natural decline in the number of eggs explains why the chances of conception fall over time.
Why ovarian reserve matters
The ovarian reserve reflects both the number and quality of eggs. Lower egg counts, combined with higher rates of chromosome abnormalities, increase the risk factors. These biological realities explain why doctors stress timely planning for women approaching advanced maternal age¹¹.
Time to Conceive at 35
Average time to get pregnant at 35
On average, it may take six months to one year to conceive at 35. Women in their early 30s often conceive more quickly, but patience is still common at both stages. If conception does not occur within 6–12 months, medical advice is recommended¹².
Getting pregnant after 35 naturally
Many women successfully conceive naturally after 35. Healthy lifestyle choices, regular ovulation tracking, and good prenatal care improve outcomes. While the chances of getting pregnant after 35 are lower than in earlier years, success is still realistic¹³.
Early signs of pregnancy after 35
Early signs of pregnancy at this age are similar to those in younger women: missed periods, fatigue, nausea, and breast tenderness. Some women may experience slightly more fatigue due to hormonal changes, but these differences are usually mild.
Improving Fertility Odds
Lifestyle habits that affect conception
Healthy habits can increase the chances of conception. Doctors recommend:
- Maintaining a balanced weight
- Limiting alcohol and smoking
- Managing stress and sleep
- Regular exercise without overtraining
These changes may help reduce the risks of miscarriage and support a healthy pregnancy¹⁴.
Tips for improving chances
Women can track ovulation with home kits or apps, schedule intercourse during fertile windows, and maintain regular prenatal vitamins. These practical steps help maximize the chances of falling pregnant at 35 without immediate medical intervention.
Fertility treatments and medical options
If natural methods are not successful, fertility treatments provide alternatives. Options include ovulation-inducing medications, intrauterine insemination, or in vitro fertilization. Success rates vary, but treatments offer support when aging affects fertility and natural conception proves difficult¹⁵.
When to seek medical advice
Dr. Luke Barr recommends that women aged 35 seek medical advice if they have tried to conceive for six months without success. At this stage, early evaluation allows the timely use of fertility treatments and helps address any underlying conditions. SensIQ supports women by providing evidence-based tools to understand these decisions.
References
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2014, March). Female age-related fertility decline. ACOG. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2014/03/female-age-related-fertility-decline
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2012, Revised). Age and fertility: A guide for patients. ASRM. https://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/_rf/news-and-publications/bookletsfact-sheets/english-pdf/Age_and_Fertility.pdf
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2020). Evidence-based treatments for couples with unexplained infertility: A guideline. ASRM. https://www.asrm.org/practice-guidance/practice-committee-documents/evidence-based-treatments-for-couples-with-unexplained-infertility-a-guideline-2020/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2006, April 21). Recommendations to improve preconception health and health care. MMWR Recommendations and Reports, 55(RR-6), 1-23. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16617292/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, March 6). Trends in actual age-specific fertility rates: United States, 1990–2023 (National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 74, No. 3). CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr74/nvsr74-3.pdf
- Cimadomo, D., Fabozzi, G., Vaiarelli, A., Ubaldi, N., Ubaldi, F. M., & Rienzi, L. (2018). Impact of maternal age on oocyte and embryo competence. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 9, 327. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6033961/
- Cleveland Clinic. (2025, May 5). Advanced maternal age: Pregnancy after 35. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22438-advanced-maternal-age
- Cleveland Clinic. (2025, April 1). The best age to get pregnant. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/best-age-to-get-pregnant
- Harvard Health Publishing. (2017, April 11). Over 35 and expecting: Is it safer to give birth “early”? Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/over-35-and-expecting-is-it-safer-to-give-birth-early-201604119431
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2025, September). Advanced maternal age: Pregnancy after 35. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/advanced-maternal-age
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Pregnancy after 35: Healthy pregnancies, healthy babies. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20045756
- Myrskylä, M., Barclay, K., & Goisis, A. (2017). Advantages of later motherhood. Population and Development Review, 43(1), 69–94. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5633623/
- National Health Service (NHS). (n.d.). How long does it usually take to get pregnant? NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/how-long-it-takes-to-get-pregnant/
- National Institutes of Health. (2022, July). Having kids later in life: Healthy pregnancies as you age. NIH News in Health. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2022/07/having-kids-later-life
- Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. (n.d.). Success rates and age. SART. https://www.sart.org/patients/a-patients-guide-to-assisted-reproductive-technology/general-information/success-rates/