A woman getting pregnant

Sure, you know the basics about how babies are made — a man and woman have sex and nine months later, a beautiful baby is born. But there's actually a lot more to it than that. For women, a potential pregnancy begins in the ovaries, those two almond-shaped glands attached to either side of the uterus. See illustration below. Ovaries come fully stocked: You are born with 1 to 2 million eggs — more than a lifetime's supply.

When Kelly Preston announced to the world about her pregnancy at the age of 47, it created ripples in the media. It prompted television shows to discuss the marvels of science that allowed Preston and her actor husband John Travolta to have a baby so late in life. Not just celebs, several women are delaying their pregnancies for career or personal reasons, causing experts to research on the consequences of late pregnancies. Some researchers believe that older mothers do not fare as well as the younger ones while some did not find any difference. MomJunction answers this question and a few more! Read on! Though rare, it is possible to get pregnant at 45, without the use of fertility treatments 1.

If you are trying to have a baby or are just thinking about it, it is not too early to start getting ready for pregnancy. Preconception health and health care focus on things you can do before and between pregnancies to increase the chances of having a healthy baby. For some women, getting their body ready for pregnancy takes a few months. For other women, it might take longer. Whether this is your first, second, or sixth baby, the following are important steps to help you get ready for the healthiest pregnancy possible.

Last Updated: January 21, References Approved. This article was co-authored by Jennifer Butt, MD. She is affiliated with Lenox Hill Hospital. She then completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.