In 2023, the average age of women giving birth in the U.S. rose to 29.6 years, the highest ever recorded. For first-time mothers, the average age climbed to 27.5, continuing a steady trend of delayed parenthood. These numbers, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reflect the choices many people are making to build families on their own timeline, often after gaining financial stability, advancing their careers or completing their education.
ARC Fertility continues to see growing demand from individuals who are choosing to start families later in life and are proactively seeking fertility care that fits their needs, accessible, inclusive and aligned with their timelines.
A New Generation of Family Building
Across the country, from major metropolitan hubs to rural communities, more people are choosing to have children later in life. Between 2016 and 2023, the average age at first birth rose across every racial and ethnic group and in every type of community. In large cities, first-time mothers now average 28.5 years old. In rural areas, the average is lower at 24.8, but that number is steadily climbing.
At the same time, the number of births among women aged 30 and older continues to rise, while births among those under 25 are declining. These trends signal a shift in how individuals approach family building, often waiting until they feel more established in their careers or personal lives. As these patterns continue, so does the need for greater fertility awareness, early planning options and access to care that supports diverse timelines and goals.
Why Fertility Support Matters at Every Age
As more individuals plan to start families in their late 20s, 30s or beyond, fertility care becomes a central part of long-term health and life planning. While fertility naturally declines with age, today’s reproductive technologies make it possible to extend family-building options with confidence.
ARC Fertility supports this reality by offering:
- Comprehensive, fact-based information for young people to understand reproduction, engage in healthy lifestyles and make choices that optimize their reproductive lives
- Proactive fertility preservation, including egg and embryo freezing.
- Comprehensive care plans for IVF, IUI, donor services and surrogacy.
- Convenient at-home fertility assessments for individuals who want insight before trying to conceive.
- Education and support through care navigation and personalized counseling.
- Comprehensive women’s and men’s health programs that support pregnancy, return to work, lactation support, early childcare services, menopause, male health and more
With these services, people can make informed decisions that align with their timelines, values and goals.
Supporting the Modern Workforce
For employers, these demographic shifts offer a powerful opportunity to support employees’ family-building journeys with meaningful, flexible fertility benefits. Today’s workforce expects more than traditional health coverage; they’re looking for solutions that reflect real life.
ARC Fertility partners with employers to deliver:
- Inclusive, evidence-based fertility programs that support all paths to parenthood, including LGBTQ+ individuals, single parents and those pursuing surrogacy or adoption.
- Affordable, bundled pricing that reduces overall healthcare costs by 15–40% compared to traditional fee-for-service models.
- National access to care, with over 450 board-certified fertility specialists across the U.S.
- Personalized guidance through care navigators who help employees manage the emotional, medical and logistical aspects of fertility treatment.
- Comprehensive, high-quality programs through providers specialized in pregnancy support, early parenting and return to work support, menopause and male health
This approach helps organizations attract top talent, improve retention and create an inclusive culture that values employees’ full lives, inside and outside of work.
Data-Driven Decisions, Compassionate Care
The latest CDC data makes one thing clear, family-building is changing. The rise in maternal age reflects progress, planning and empowerment. ARC Fertility is built to support that shift, offering modern solutions for modern families.
Whether someone is ready to start treatment now or planning for the future, ARC delivers the care, resources and support to meet them where they are.
ARC Fertility helps employers offer smarter, more inclusive fertility benefits, designed for today’s workforce and tomorrow’s families.
Contact us today to learn how we can help your organization lead in family-forming care.
