Fertility at 38: Understanding Conception Chances for Couples

Question
I am a male 38 years old and intend to get married this year. My wife to be is 33 years. I wanted to know will we be able to have a baby, will it create any problem for the mother or the baby

Answer
Women can conceive and carry a baby to term as long as they are getting their periods regularly and ovulating. As a woman gets older, it is harder and harder to conceive. However, as long as she gets her period she should be able to conceive until she reaches menopause (age 50). A man can produce sperm way into his 80s. (Picasso, Tony Randall, etc). At 33 years of age, she is not considered "old" at all. I have many patients who are pregnant and are over 45 years old. Many women are waiting until their careers take off before they start a family. There should be no problems for the mother or baby if you start a family before she is 45.