U.S. Birth Rates Continue to Drop as Age of New Moms Rises

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 17, 2018 -- American women are having fewer children, and they're having them later in life, a new government report shows.

"Overall, we saw continuing decreasing trends in total fertility," said report author Danielle Ely, a health statistician at the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which is part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dad's Age May Play Role in Pregnancy Outcomes

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 -- More men are delaying fatherhood, and new research suggests that might raise the risk of both birth complications and infant health problems.

When new fathers are aged 45 or older, there's an increased chance of preterm birth, infant seizures and even gestational diabetes in the mother, the study found.

The Ideal Weight Makes for a Healthier Pregnancy

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 10, 2018 -- If you're overweight and thinking of starting a family, there's compelling evidence that you should lose the excess pounds before you get pregnant.

For starters, some health conditions associated with being overweight, like polycystic ovary syndrome (or PCOS), can make it harder for you to conceive.