Australia's fertility rate has hit a record low, and IVF is becoming an increasingly common path to parenthood. New data suggests that within the next century, as many as one in three babies in Australia could be conceived through IVF, a projection that reflects just how significantly the landscape of conception is shifting.
Associate Professor Alex Polyakov, Medical Director at Genea Melbourne, points to delayed parenthood as the key driver. The average age of first-time mothers in Australia now sits at 32, while the average age of patients seeking fertility treatment at Genea is 38. The challenge, as A/Prof Polyakov explains, is that egg quality and quantity decline significantly from the mid-20s onward, meaning many women are seeking help at a point when their fertility has already been substantially affected.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data supports this picture, showing that fertility rates among women in their 40s are doubling, while rates among women in their 20s are dropping sharply. The reasons behind the delay are well understood: career advancement, financial stability, and shifting personal priorities all play a role.
For Sydney nurse Clementine Joyce, the reality of this trend is deeply personal. Having conceived four times via IVF, resulting in one daughter and a current pregnancy at 25 weeks, she knows the emotional and physical toll of the process intimately. She is determined to speak openly about her experience and reduce the shame that too often surrounds fertility struggles.
Looking ahead, A/Prof Polyakov is optimistic about what science may deliver. He predicts that within the next 100 years, emerging technologies including the creation of eggs from stem cells could make fertility preservation far more effective than anything available today, potentially transforming the way all women approach family planning.
A/Prof Alex Polyakov
Associate Professor Alex Polyakov is an Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and Fertility specialist practicing in East Melbourne. A/Prof Polyakov is unique among fertility specialists by offering a holistic approach that encompasses surgical, fertility, and obstetric care. This means Alex is highly trained to perform surgical interventions for gynaecological conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, and intrauterine polyps/adhesions.
