Could stressing about being an 'older' mum harm your fertility more than your age?

Stress about trying to conceive as an older mum might be more harmful to your fertility than your age - as Caprice has discovered.

The former supermodel, 41, has revealed that she and husband Ty Comfort, 46, are expecting not one but two babies - one naturally and one via a surrogate - not long after she admitted her fears that she'd 'left it too late'.

We know stress is a powerful emotion that affects many aspects of our health - but what if it's stress and worry rather than your age that's stopping you getting pregnant?

A successful model and business woman, Caprice has admitted that she concentrated so hard on her career that she pushed back having children. And it's true that after the age of 35 your fertility begins to decline and the chances of conceiving decrease.

But as Caprice has proven, natural pregnancy after 40 is possible. And it looks like she conceived soon after the stress of infertility was removed by the knowledge she would be able to have a biological child via a surrogate.

[Essentials for a healthy pregnancy]

Alison Edwards, Senior Lecturer in Midwifery at Birmingham City University explains: "There's plenty of evidence to suggest that stress can impact fertility, both hormonally and psychologically – for both men and women. For women it can have an effect on hormone levels and on ovulation and men may suffer from impotence, or it can reduce their sperm count, making conception less likely.

"And we know that age affects your fertility as your body approaches menopause.

"There's nothing to really say which is worse but the two could certainly work in tandem to lower your chances more than each individually."

She adds, "Of course there's only anecdotal evidence but you can find, as in Caprice's case, that once couples think 'no, it’s not going to happen' and relax, then it happens!"

Age and conception - the fact

Under 30, your chance of conceiving within a year is high - around 96 per cent. Aged 35-44 it drops to around 78 per cent. And within that your fertility naturally decreases with every year.

But if you have your fertility checked, and there are no problems, taking conception advice means there is every chance you will be able to conceive into your 40s - it might just take a little longer.

"The more you approach menopause, your ovaries produce less eggs because you’ve used up a proportion of what you were born with," says Alison. "And the womb is thinking 'I’m not going to have children now' so it's not as prepared as in your 20s. But nothing's beyond the realms, there are increasing numbers of women having babies in their 40s - but you just might need more support."

[Easy ways to lower your stress levels]

Stress

Fears that you've 'left it too late' and a few cycles with no luck can naturally make us anxious and stressed. And it's this stress that could actually be hampering your trying to conceive (TTC ) progress.

"I think women really shouldn’t worry. If you look at society nowadays, women are leaving pregnancy later and later in life. Women marry later, might not meet the right man until later - so there's less rush.

"You have some women who get a bit obsessed and jump their husbands at every opportunity! But like many things, it can happen more easily when you're not trying too hard."

When to seek help?

When you're trying for a baby later in life, you might need a helping hand and it's important to know when to seek help so you don't become downhearted or stressed about your lack of luck.

If you're aged 30 to 35, see a doctor after six to nine months of unprotected sex. Between 35 and 40, after six months; and if you're over 40, after three months.

But first, try our stress busting exercises and giving yourself a break - it could just do the trick.