More than three-quarters of those questioned for Red magazine believe infertility is a treatable medical problem and one-fifth had considered freezing their eggs.

The 2012 Modern Motherhood Report found only one-quarter of women wish they had tried to have children earlier.

Some 72% thought celebrities like Nicole Kidman having babies in their 40s gave the impression that anyone could do the same.

Of those who had not started trying for children, 45% did not want to give up their life and freedom, 36% were not sure if they wanted a family and 28% wanted to focus on their career. But 31% had not met the right partner – dubbed "emotional infertility" by the magazine. Many disagreed with their partner about when to have a baby, with 15% splitting up because of it.

The survey found that 54% thought "emotional infertility" was just as painful as medical infertility.

One in five women would considering having a child on their own.