Start family at 23 if you want three children

WOMEN who want at least three children should start a family by the age of 23, according to scientists.

Those who want two children should start by 27 to ensure a 90 per cent success rate. Anyone content with one can leave it until 32.

The fertility chart was created by Dutch researchers at the University of Rotterdam who looked at the data on the natural fertility of 58,000 women over the past three centuries.

Dr Dik Habbema, who led the project, said: ‘I hope the model will play a part in making decisions easier.’

If a woman aiming for two children waits until she is 38, her chance of success is lower than 50 per cent.

British fertility expert Allan Pacey said the chart would help women plan their lives. ‘Everyone thinks you can wait – this shows you can’t,’ he said.

The average age of first-time mothers in Ireland is now 30.3 years, according to a recent report by the HSE.