Chances are it will also take longer than it would have at a younger age. You were born with a limited number of eggs, and the older you get, the fewer you have left. And just as the rest of your body has aged, so have those remaining eggs, so they may not be as viable for fertilization. Plus, after 35, you begin to ovulate less frequently.
That doesn’t mean that you have to give up on the idea of having a baby if you’ve been waiting for the right time. It just may not happen as soon as you’d like and could require some patience on your part. Studies show that women under 25 have a 20% to 25% chance of conceiving each month, and the odds decrease gradually, falling to 15% by age 35 and 5% by age 40.
Regardless of your age, if you’re trying, it’s probably a good idea to get a pre-pregnancy checkup to make sure there aren’t any health issues that need to be considered. If you’re under 35 and have been trying to conceive for a year, you should consult a fertility specialist; if you’re over 35, talk to someone after trying for six months.