While 40 is the new 30, and people are living longer, healthier lives, female fertility declines with age, as does that of the male.

In brief, there is a small risk of having a child with a genetic problem. When the female is less than 35 years of age, there is evidence that the female egg has an intrinsic ability to repair damage within the sperm. This ability typically goes away after age 35. In men 45 years and older, there is an increased risk of some genetic issues, such as schizophrenia and autism.

That said, while the relative risk rises with age, the overall risk remains quite low.