It is important to note that women today are often delaying having children until later in life, when they are in their 30s and 40s. While many women in their 30s and 40s have no difficulty getting pregnant, fertility does decline with age. For women over 40 who cannot achieve pregnancy after six months of trying, it is recommended that they see their health care provider for a fertility evaluation.

It is not uncommon to have trouble becoming pregnant or experiencing infertility (inability to become pregnant after trying for one year). Overall, there are about 2.1 million married couples in America experiencing infertility, and some 9 million women have used fertility treatments. If you think that you or your partner may be infertile, you can discuss this with a health care provider who can recommend treatments such as drugs, surgery, or assisted reproductive technology.

If infertility is a problem for you, other options you might want to consider are adoption and foster care. Adopting or becoming a foster parent could be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.