It is much more common for women today to delay having a baby. Indeed, it has been reported that the number of babies born to women over the age of 50 has more than doubled in four years and the number of women over 40 having children has risen by 13 per cent – from 26,419 in 2008 to 29,994 in 2012 – with one in 25 births being to women over 40. And in 2012, nearly half of all babies were born to mothers aged 30 and over. While many women in their mid-30s and older can expect to have healthy pregnancies, it is a fact that a woman’s fertility decreases with age. The biggest decrease in fertility begins during the mid- 30s and couples who opt to wait before starting their family may feel under pressure if they do not conceive as soon as they had anticipated.

With recent advances in the technology of home ovulation and pregnancy tests, concerned couples may visit the pharmacy to ask for advice and purchase a test to help pinpoint the best time during a woman’s monthly cycle to try to conceive. Failure to fall pregnant within a couple’s own expected time frame can cause disappointment, so it’s important to be sensitive when customers seek advice. It’s also a good idea to display information leaflets, as some people may prefer to read the advice in the privacy of their own home. It’s also important to know when to refer to the pharmacist. This includes women who are not up to date with vaccinations; are taking medication; have diabetes, epilepsy, asthma or a thyroid condition; and couples who have a history of gene abnormalities or have previously had a pregnancy affected by neural tube defects.