Age and Fertility in Grand Rapids, Michigan

A woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have. Over time, both the number and quality of these eggs decline. Age is the single most important factor affecting a woman’s fertility and her chances of having a healthy baby. While good health and a healthy lifestyle can improve your overall chances of conceiving, they cannot fully overcome the effects of age on fertility.

In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, many individuals and couples are choosing to start families later in life. Understanding how age impacts fertility can help you plan ahead and know when to seek support from local fertility specialists.

How Female Age Affects Fertility

When Fertility Starts to Decline

For most women:

  • Fertility starts to gradually decline in the early 30s
  • After age 35, the decline becomes more rapid
  • By age 40, the chance of getting pregnant in any given month is around 5%

For comparison, a healthy woman in her early to mid-20s has about a 25–30% chance of getting pregnant each month if she is having regular, unprotected intercourse.

These age-related changes are the same whether you live in Grand Rapids, elsewhere in Michigan, or anywhere in the United States. However, local factors like stress, work schedules, and seasonal lifestyle changes (such as reduced activity during long Michigan winters) can also indirectly influence overall reproductive health.

Women’s Age and IVF Success

Age also affects the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Many people in Grand Rapids assume IVF can “fix” age-related infertility, but IVF success still depends heavily on the age of the woman’s eggs.

Approximate chances of a live birth from one complete IVF cycle (including all fresh and frozen embryo transfers from one ovarian stimulation) in the United States are:

  • Ages 30–34: about 43%
  • Ages 35–39: about 31%
  • Ages 40–44: about 11%

For women in their early 40s and beyond, the chance of having a baby increases if they use donor eggs from a younger woman. Many fertility programs serving Grand Rapids and West Michigan offer egg donation options and can provide detailed statistics based on your age and health.

If you are in your mid-30s or older and have been trying to conceive without success, it may be time to speak with a fertility specialist at a local center, such as:

  • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health fertility services in Grand Rapids
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids reproductive medicine services
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health clinics
  • Other private fertility clinics in the Grand Rapids and West Michigan region

Women’s Age and Pregnancy Complications

As a woman’s age increases, so does the risk of certain pregnancy complications. This is important for patients in Grand Rapids who may already be managing chronic conditions common in Michigan, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity.

From around age 35, the risk begins to rise for:

  • Miscarriage
  • Chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus (such as Down syndrome)

Older maternal age is also associated with a higher risk of:

  • Gestational diabetes
  • High blood pressure and preeclampsia
  • Placenta previa (when the placenta covers the cervix)
  • Cesarean section (C-section)
  • Stillbirth

Because Michigan winters can make it harder to stay active and maintain a healthy weight, it’s especially important for women in Grand Rapids to focus on nutrition, physical activity, and chronic disease management before and during pregnancy. Local OB/GYNs at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health can help you assess and manage these risks.

Medical Conditions That Affect Female Fertility

Some conditions that are relatively common among women in Michigan can further reduce fertility, regardless of age. These include:

  • Endometriosis – tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often causing pain and sometimes affecting the fallopian tubes or ovaries.
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – a hormone disorder that can cause irregular menstrual cycles, lack of ovulation, acne, excess hair growth, and weight gain.

If you have irregular periods, severe menstrual pain, or symptoms of PCOS, talk with:

  • Your primary care provider in Grand Rapids
  • An OB/GYN at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • A fertility specialist if you have been trying to conceive for 6–12 months without success

Men’s Age and Fertility

While the impact of female age on fertility has been recognized for a long time, research now shows that male age also matters.

As men get older:

  • The overall chance of pregnancy decreases
  • Time to pregnancy (how long it takes to conceive) tends to increase
  • The risk of miscarriage and fetal death increases (though these outcomes are still relatively uncommon)

Older paternal age can also affect the long-term health of children:

  • Children of fathers aged 40 or older are at higher risk of certain mental health and developmental conditions, including:
    • Autism spectrum disorder
    • Schizophrenia (slightly increased risk)
    • Other mental health disorders later in life

Men in Grand Rapids who are planning to have children later in life should consider a preconception checkup with their primary care provider or a urologist/andrologist. Lifestyle factors common in Michigan—such as sedentary habits during cold months, smoking, or high alcohol intake—can further impact sperm quality.

When to Seek Fertility Help in Grand Rapids

You should consider seeing a healthcare provider in Grand Rapids if:

  • You are under 35 and have been trying to conceive for 12 months without success
  • You are 35 or older and have been trying to conceive for 6 months without success
  • You have irregular or absent periods
  • You have a known condition such as endometriosis or PCOS
  • You or your partner are over 40 and planning a pregnancy
  • You have had two or more miscarriages

Local Fertility and Reproductive Health Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

You can start by speaking with:

  • Your GP / primary care provider
  • An obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN)
  • A fertility specialist or IVF clinic

Local options and resources include:

  • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health – Grand Rapids
    Offers OB/GYN care, high-risk pregnancy care, and referrals to fertility and reproductive endocrinology services.

  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    Provides women’s health, maternity services, and access to fertility evaluations.

  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    Offers OB/GYN services and can refer to fertility specialists and advanced reproductive care.

  • Mercy Health / other West Michigan clinics
    Provide gynecologic care, preconception counseling, and pregnancy care.

  • Kent County Health Department
    Offers reproductive and sexual health services, STI testing, and family planning resources for residents of Grand Rapids and surrounding communities.

  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics
    Provide youth-friendly and low-cost reproductive health services, education, and referrals.

If you are unsure where to start, contacting your primary care provider or calling the Kent County Health Department is a good first step. They can help you find a local OB/GYN or fertility specialist that fits your insurance and personal needs.

Youth-Friendly and Young Adult Services

For teens and young adults in Grand Rapids who have questions about periods, fertility, or sexual health, there are confidential, youth-friendly services available through:

  • School-based health centers (where available)
  • Community clinics and federally qualified health centers
  • Kent County Health Department programs
  • Adolescent medicine and young women’s health clinics associated with major health systems

These services can help you understand how your current health and choices may affect your future fertility, even if you are not planning a pregnancy right now.

Key Takeaways for Grand Rapids Residents

  • Age is the most important factor affecting both female and male fertility.
  • Female fertility starts to decline in the early 30s and drops more rapidly after 35.
  • IVF can improve your chances of pregnancy but cannot fully overcome age-related declines in egg quality.
  • Older maternal and paternal age are linked to higher risks of pregnancy complications and certain health conditions in children.
  • Local healthcare providers in Grand Rapids—Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and community clinics—offer comprehensive fertility evaluations and support.

If you live in Grand Rapids or West Michigan and are concerned about your age and fertility, scheduling an appointment with a local OB/GYN or fertility specialist is the best way to get personalized, medically accurate guidance.