For many ambitious women, building a career and finding the right partner takes priority in their 20s and 30s. But fertility does not wait, and for a growing number of women, the realisation comes too late to avoid a difficult road. The latest ABS data shows the median age of an Australian mother is now 32.1 years, and fertility challenges affect around one in six Australian couples.
Von Glass knows this reality well. After conceiving her first child naturally, Von faced a series of devastating miscarriages when trying for a second child at 38. Working with Genea fertility specialist Dr I-Ferne Tan, she was able to identify what may have been contributing to her losses and develop a treatment plan. She and her husband went on to welcome a second son. Looking back, Von wishes she had sought a fertility assessment in her mid to late 20s, long before she was ready to start trying.
Dr Tan shares three things she wants more women to know. First, understanding your fertility early opens up choices that may not be available later, including identifying conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, or hormone issues before they become barriers to conception. Second, men are 50% of the picture, and sperm quality also declines with age, yet this is often overlooked. Third, egg freezing is not a silver bullet. Between 15 and 25% of women will have no viable embryo to transfer at the end of the process, and egg quality matters as much as quantity.
Her advice is consistent: find a trusted specialist, get a full picture of your fertility health, and do not wait.
Read the full article for Von's story and Dr Tan's insights in full.
Dr I-Ferne Tan
Dr I-Ferne Tan is a fertility specialist who treats all aspects of women's reproductive health at Genea and Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. With a passion for period disorders, pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, and infertility, Dr I-Ferne delivers the highest quality care by guiding her patients through understanding their diagnosis and treatment options. A Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Dr I-Ferne completed a Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery at the National University Hospital in Singapore. Her expertise in Minimally Invasive Surgery allows her to develop broader treatment options that ensure minimal scarring, pain, and recovery time for her patients.
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