Biological limits on fertility and the window for first-time pregnancy

Biological limits on fertility remain a factor even as the average age for first-time mothers in large cities approaches 30. While social priorities have shifted toward education and career, the reproductive system follows a strict biological timeline. Optimal Age and Ovarian Reserve According to Elena Shustikova, PhD and obstetrician-gynecologist at the F.I. Inozemtsev City Clinical Hospital, the optimal period for first-time pregnancy is between 20 and 30 years. During this window, the ovarian reserve—the quantity of available eggs—is at its peak, and the risk of genetic complications is minimized. As a woman ages, the ovarian reserve depletes, and the quality of oocytes declines due to the natural accumulation of genetic errors. This decline affects both the probability of conception and the health of the future child.