I always think conception is an odd thing really. We spend what feels like a large part of our lives trying NOT to get pregnant, then a period of time TRYING to get pregnant, and then once again trying NOT to get pregnant.
Yet, that period of time when we do want to get pregnant, we expect it to all just work straight away and happen when we want it. The reality is, for some people, it’s just not that straight forward. We need a fertility map really.
Should you and your partner be finding it difficult to have a baby, don’t feel alone, as there are many that struggle especially with their first child. If you have been trying to conceive for over a year using no contraception at all, then it’s recommended that you find alternative means to assist you with your dream to expand your family.
You don’t have to discuss this with anyone other than your doctor. Everyone has an opinion on how to fall pregnant, which can make you feel overwhelmed and under pressure, so best speak to the professionals, unless you have a close friend who has expereince of this.
Ovulation
To fall pregnant naturally, you should know your body and be aware of the signs that you are in the ovulation phase of your cycle. The common cycle is 28 days for your monthly menstruation, but these vary hugely, so knowing your OWN cycle can really help.
From the start of your last period; counting 14 days, you should begin to ovulate. A lot of young women use contraceptives such as the ‘pill’ from early teens, sometimes due to showing signs of irregular monthly menstrual cycles.
Once you have considered starting a family, it’s best to stop the pill in order to get your cycle natural again, and hopefully regular. To make this easier, keep record of your cycle and check to see if there are any differences in your body that you never felt before. The more information you have around your body the more you will know if there seems to be a problem.
Keeping record
Once you have gotten back to your natural cycle, it’s important that you keep track of how long you have been trying for, and at what stages of your cycle you have been trying. This will give the doctor a good indication of what may be causing the delay.
The doctor may also be able to tell whether you can conceive naturally, or whether you may indeed need to consider alternative options. You will be asked questions surrounding times or dates of your last menstrual cycle and when you’ve tried to conceive, so it is always best to be prepared by keeping exact record. This will allow for more accuracy and will certainly help you and your partner in the long run.
Fertility clinics
There are many great options for a couple hoping to conceive, but who are finding it difficult to do so naturally. Fertility clinics like Letrozole treatment UK, which practice IVF and other forms of treatment are a great option as they will ensure the sperm and egg of the couple are used. For women who do not have partners and would like to have a child/children, a sperm bank is a great option. This means donor sperm is inserted into the egg in a treatment better known as artificial insemination.
Female Infertility
There can be a number of causes for female infertility, such as irregular monthly periods, excessive or weak hormones, abnormal damage or growths on the uterus, blockages in the fallopian tubes, endometriosis, early menopause, sexually transmitted diseases, cervical or related cancers, stress, excessive exercise, unhealthy eating and alcohol habits and more.
These are just some of the most common causes, but it’s not to say they are the only. Every woman who struggles with infertility, could experience something different. This is why it is best to chat with a professional to understand your particular situation.
Male Infertility
During the time that the woman is keeping track of her cycles, so should the man ensure that he is fertile, or at least healthy enough to ‘impregnate the female’.
It is not strange for men to be tested for infertility, although many men don’t believe they should get tested too. The decision to fall pregnant is exciting, and it’s also important that you both stay committed to the decision by checking all areas of concern.
Infertility diagnoses for males involve making sure that he is healthy and has no inherited medical history. It may be a good idea to ask your parents if they had any problems conceiving. Males can go to their general doctor and have a general physical examination. This would normally include having genitals examined, any previous injuries to genital area and if there were any concerns around puberty that would have resulted in surgery.
A sample of semen will be requested and sent away to the laboratory for testing. A sperm count can also be done to ascertain how strong the sperm is. Once the cause of one has been found, the doctor will also suggest which treatment is best for you as there are various treatment options and procedures.
Have you struggled to conceive? What helped the most? Although sometimmes it seems that everyone is having babies, there are so many people struggling.
