Q
Dear Auntie Pearl, I’m 35 years old and I have a seven-year-old son.
My husband is 39 years old.
After I had my son, I was on the injection for a long time.
My husband and I decided to go for another baby, but it has not been easy.
I’m off the injection for almost a year now.
Tell me, if I go for a womb scrape, will it make a difference?
A
Sweetie pie, Auntie is sorry to hear you are struggling with this, and bear in mind Auntie’s not a doctor at all, but I will give you advice.
Having a baby after the age of 35 has its risks so you must be healthy.
Also, having another child in our uncertain times, over-population, and things getting more and more expensive is risky, and some will even say irresponsible.
Having said this, if you really want another baby and can’t conceive, adoption is always a wonderful option.
Getting preggies after 35 is not impossible but it does get more difficult with age.
Most experts in the field of baby-making will tell you that the best time for women to conceive in terms of your biological clock is between the age of 19 and 26.
After 35, you have less than a 30 percent chance of getting pregnant naturally.
Here are a few things to think about:
- If your hubby is five years older than you, and you are over 35, your odds are lower.
- If it’s been six months and you’re not pregnant, go talk to your doctor.
- Fertility treatments are an option but are less successful the older you are.
- If you are over 35, you already have your age counting against you, so you’d better make very sure you are healthy, meisie– so no smoking, not too much dop and caffeine, and maintain a healthy weight and a healthy diet.
Auntie doesn’t know a whole lot about baarskraap, so it’s best to talk to the professionals, so go and see a gynae as soon as you can.
It does sound like many doctors swear by the “scratch” procedure, but there’s not a lot of evidence about why it works.
Sommige mensesay it encourages the womb lining to shed the dead cells, and in turn encourages new ones to grow.
Or that it makes the lining more receptive to an embryo implantation.
Some studies even say it can double a woman’s chances of becoming preggies, but Auntie would take all of this with a pinch of salt.
The so-called “endometrial scratch” is when a simple instrument is inserted through the cervix to lightly scrape against the womb’s lining.
Now angelface, if you have a doctor or gynecologist you trust, that would be Auntie’s first suggestion – go talk to them and find out their professional opinion.
You can find out more information at a Marie Stopes clinic close to you.
Phone0800 11 77 85
or visit
for more information.
The Cape Fertility Clinic is located in Claremont, phone them on021 674 2088
.
Tygerberg and Groote Schuur hospitals offer programmes and treatments so you can find out more from the Groote Schuur Fertility Unit at the Maternity Centre.
Their number is 021 404 6027
.
Bear in mind, they don’t come cheap, so be prepared to fork out kroon.