New research via the National Center for Health Statistics shows the U.S. fertility rate is at a record low. With the exception of the over-30 crowd, fewer women across almost all age groups and ethnicities are having babies. While putting off having babies until later has been a growing trend for some time, women would do well, if it’s at all possible, to have babies first and focus on their career either simultaneously, or later.

According to the data,”[R]esearchers report that birthrates declined to record lows in all groups under age 30. Among women ages 20 to 24, the decline was 4 percent. For women 25 to 29, the rate fell 2 percent. The decrease in the birthrate among teenagers — 9 percent from 2015 to 2016 — continues a long-term decline: 67 percent since 1991.”