As we’re sure that many women will have realised by this point in their lives, people have a LOT of opinions when it comes to how they live their lives.
Whether it’s telling us the ideal age to get married, or something as banal as what we should be eating for breakfast every day (NOT EVERYONE LIKES AVOCADO, OKAY?!), experts are constantly doling out their opinions.
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But nothing causes more contention than this age-old question: What is the perfect age to fall pregnant?
It goes without saying that the choice to have a baby is a very personal one; after all, there is no standard answer when it comes to feeling ready to become a mum.
However, according to Dr Gillian Lockwood, there is an ideal age when it comes to falling pregnant - and it all has to do with when our bodies are at their most fertile.
Can you guess what she said?
Yup, it’s 25.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, the medical director said: “It may not be true that women should be having babies at the time of the GCSEs but they shouldn’t leave it much later than graduation.”
However she acknowledged that, while it is the optimum age for fertility, having a baby is usually the last thing on the minds of many 25-year-old women.
She said: “Age 25 is exactly the time when today’s young women have left university, are trying to get off on a good career, trying to pay back their student loans, trying to find someone who wants to have babies with them and trying to get on the housing ladder.”
Well, exactly.
But, despite seemingly being understanding to the plight of women everywhere, Lockwood had some harsh words about fertility treatments, labelling IVF as a "bleak" option for women over 40.
She added that waiting until you hit your 30s isn’t a great option either, insisting that our ovaries really are nothing more than ticking time bombs.
“The problem we have here is that women on the outside are shiny, young and youthful and on the inside their ovaries know exactly what it says on their birth certificate,” she said.
“As I always tell my patients - you cannot Botox your ovaries.”
Jeepers - that’s a bit restrictive, isn’t it?
As always, the medical experts have failed to take into account our feelings about pregnancy.
After all, we may just not be ready for a baby at 25 - and some of us may not want kids at all.
It’s worth considering at least the following questions before you decide whether or not you are ready to become a mum:
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Can you afford to have a baby?
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How will you handle childcare responsibilities?
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Are you ready to give up lie-ins?
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Are you prepared to arrange a babysitter every time you want to go out without your child?
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How will you balance work and family?
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Are you prepared for the possibility that your child may have special needs?
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What’s your job’s maternity policy?
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How has your relationship been lately?
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Do you need to move?
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Are you ready to share your love physically, emotionally, and among family?
Thought-provoking stuff, eh?
We think that we’d much prefer to have a baby when (and if) we feel completely ready to do so, rather than rush to get pregnant between that magical one-year age bracket.
So, whatever age you decide to have children, whether through natural conception, IVF, adoption, surrogacy, or some other method, make sure that you ALWAYS listen to your own body.
And ignore the naysayers out there; instead, make the decision that makes sense for your own life.
After all, only you know what’s right for you.
NOW READ: Child soap stars - where are they now?
Child Soap Stars - Where Are They Now?
1 of 22Molly Conlin AKA Dotty Cotton, EastEnders
Molly played Nasty Nick's daughter Dotty Cotton in EastEnders between 2008-10 and caused endless mischief with Tiffany Butcher. But where is she now...
2 of 22Molly Conlin AKA Dotty Cotton, EastEnders
... 19-year-old Molly has since gone to college after deciding to concentrate on her studies. After leaving the soap, the actress starred in Annabel's Kitchen, Horrible Histories and Blandings as well as adverts for Ragu Pasta Sauce and Bold 2 In 1. She can now be seen posting glam photos on Instagram.
3 of 22Helen Flanagan AKA Rosie Webster, Coronation Street
Corrie's bad girl had some meaty storylines including being kidnapped (twice!) and dealing with her mother's breast cancer diagnosis. Helen left the soap in 2011, but what has she been up to since?
4 of 22Helen Flanagan AKA Rosie Webster, Coronation Street
Nine years since leaving the soap, the actress has appeared in I'm a Celeb, Celebrity Super Spa, Celebrity Wedding Planner and Holby City. She now has two daughters with her fiancé Scott Sinclair. So adorbs.
5 of 22Melissa Suffield AKA Lucy Beale, EastEnders
Before Hetti Bywater, The Square's tearaway Lucy Beale was played by Melissa Suffield. But where is Mel now...
6 of 22Melissa Suffield AKA Lucy Beale, EastEnders
...since leaving Walford, Melissa has evolved as an actress and has since starred in Casualty and played the role of Norma Jean in a musical about Marilyn Monroe. She's also engaged to long-term partner Robert Brendan and they've welcomed their daughter River into the world.
7 of 22Ellis Hollins AKA Tom Cunningham, Hollyoaks
Ellis Hollins has played Hollyoak's Tom Cunningham since he was just three years old and his storylines have gripped us all, from dealing with his mother's shock death to dealings with Sienna Blake... But where is Tom now?
8 of 22Ellis Hollins AKA Tom Cunningham, Hollyoaks
Seventeen ears later, Ellis is still in Hollyoaks (as lovable as ever) and was even spotted in Ibiza partying. Oh and he's won eight soap awards.
9 of 22Sam Aston AKA Chesney Brown, Coronation Street
Sam Aston played the adorable Corrie's Chesney Brown since 2003. Speaking about life growing up on a popular soap, he said "At 16, all my mates were getting fake IDs and going to pubs I always knew I couldn't do that." But where is Sam Aston now?
10 of 22Sam Aston AKA Chesney Brown, Coronation Street
Sam is engaged to his girlfriend Briony Gardner. The star had previously said 'I do think I'm romantic. I like to treat my girlfriend, buy her flowers and make a fuss of her.' They're also due to welcome their first child into the world later this year.
11 of 22Eden Taylor-Draper AKA Belle Dingle, Emmerdale
Eden Taylor-Draper has played Belle Dingle since 2005, when she fell down a mineshaft on Christmas day. Speaking about being a child actor she said at the time, "there is no time to go off the rails like Belle, I go home and learn my lines and I am in bed by 9pm!" Where is Eden now?
12 of 22Eden Taylor-Draper AKA Belle Dingle, Emmerdale
Eden is still in Emmerdale and recently was involved in a storyline where she's had an affair with married man Jamie Tate. Uh oh.
13 of 22Charlie Jones AKA Ben Mitchell, EastEnders
'Enders troublemaker Ben Mitchell has been played by a handful of actors, but we'll never forget the sweet Charlie Jones who was tormented by the evil Stella. Where is Charlie now?
14 of 22Charlie Jones AKA Ben Mitchell, EastEnders
Charlie is now studying acting at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts – he looks COMPLETELY different to his Walford days.
15 of 22Charlie Clements AKA Bradley Branning, EastEnders
Albert Square's favourite ginge (apart from his onscreen dad Max, obv) Bradley, was a knitted jumper-wearing sweetheart and made us want to pinch his cheeks through the television between 2006 - 2010. We are still getting over his tragic fall, where he saw his grizzly end. Where is Charlie now?
16 of 22Charlie Clements AKA Bradley Branning, EastEnders
We hardly recognise Charlie Clements with a beard! The actor uploaded the snap to Twitter with the caption. "A year ago everyone was up in arms because I looked SO different at 28 to 18.. bet they didn't expect this at 29! #actor 'chameleon'", He has since starred as Charlie Brackenreid in Murdoch Mysteries.
17 of 22Sonny Flood AKA Josh Ashworth, Hollyoaks
Of course you remember Hollyoak's rather swishy-haired Josh Ashworth. His character was best known for dating Amy Barnes and an array of outlandish storylines including attempted murder, underage sex, drugs, drinking and joy riding. Where is Sonny now?
18 of 22Sonny Flood AKA Josh Ashworth, Hollyoaks
Sonny has since completed a law degree at the University of Manchester, working as a paralegal. Miles away from underage drinking a pint at The Dog, eh.
19 of 22Maisie Smith AKA Tiffany Butcher, EastEnders
When Maisie first joined the cast of EastEnders back in 2008, she was only seven-years-old but she'd already had a small part in Hollywood film The Other Boleyn Girl. After leaving the soap in 2014 to pursue a music career, the 12 year old took to posting her singing videos online.
20 of 22Maisie Smith AKA Tiffany Butcher, EastEnders
Despite releasing a single in 2016, Walford is where Maisie's heart is at, and she returned to the soap full-time in 2017. She's now a TikTok star and we're obsessed with all her videos.
21 of 22Amy and Emily Walton AKA Bethany Platt, Coronation Street
Little Bethany Platt had a traumatic life during her short years on the soap initially before her exit in 2007. But did you know she was actually played by twins, Amy and Emily Walton?
22 of 22Amy and Emily Walton AKA Bethany Platt, Coronation Street
Amy and Emily, now 17, haven't really explored the world of acting more since they left the show, and are now concentrating on studying.
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