Couples are being advised to have babies sooner rather than later.

A consultant obstetrician at the National Maternity Hospital says Irish couples should avoid leaving it until women are in their 30s - when the risk of medical complications or infertility are increased.

Professor Fionnuala McAuliffe spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning and she said it's an important message to get out, with many couples deferring starting a family.

She stated that when women get older, it's harder for them to get pregnant and they may be more likely to have a miscarriage.

She says if couples encounter difficulties conceiving they may not be in a position to pay for treatments like IVF:

“Rearing kids in the first six years of their lives is very stressful, involving a lot of sleeplessness and you’re better to get it over with it when you’re full of energy.”

Newstalk Breakfast presenter Ivan Yates agreed, but on slightly different grounds: “Rearing kids in the first six years of their lives is very stressful, involving a lot of sleeplessness and you’re better to get it over with it when you’re full of energy.”

“Get this grief out of your life so that you can enjoy your later life. Get rid of the pesky things when they’re about 20,” he continued.