Planning for pregnancy is an exciting time. Making that choice to have a baby and start a family is one of the most special decisions you’ll ever make, and a process to cherish.
That said, if you’re finding that you’re struggling to get pregnant, it can quickly turn from an enjoyable journey to something negative. Each unsuccessful try makes the situation more frustrating, and it’s easy to feel at a loss for where to go next.
There are many different reasons someone might be unable to get pregnant at any given time, and thankfully, there are many different options you can look into. Here are 10 avenues to explore that may help you if you’re struggling to get pregnant.
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1. The Importance of General Health
When it comes to getting pregnant, it’s key to consider your overall health before going any further. This sets the foundation for having a good environment to conceive, so a combination of general health elements could be to blame for difficulties.
Being those who are under or overweight can have difficulty due to the hormonal impact these less-than-optimal body compositions have; for men, sperm counts could be lower, and for women, ovulation cycles can be disrupted.
Sleep and mental health are also critical – you should always aim for seven to nine hours per night, and take your stress levels seriously.
2. Understanding Your Cycle
As a woman trying to conceive, it’s crucial to understand your cycle. You should be tracking your cycle so that you know when your fertile window is (usually five days leading up to ovulation), which you can do on paper or with an app.
You should also be watching for cervical mucus changes (fertile mucus is clear and sticky), and if you notice any unusual alterations in your cycle, be sure to seek advice from a gynecologist: they can assess your situation for any abnormalities (which are unlikely to be anything serious, but something you may need proper treatment for).
3. Hormonal Screening
If you’ve been trying for a baby for a significant amount of time, your physician may offer you hormonal testing to check if something’s amiss there.
These tests check key hormones related to fertility, such as FSH, AMH, prolactin, and the thyroid hormones. An ultrasound is often performed to test ovarian health, and a special scan called a hysterosalpingogram is used to see if the fallopian tubes are open.
4. Choosing the Right Time
It’s also important to remember that sperm and egg quality reduce over time. Both decline in quality due to age, with women’s fertility starting to drop in their early thirties and men having a slower, but similar dip.
If you’re both in this age range, it may be wise to consult a physician early to discuss options like IVF (discussed below) to increase your chances of success.
5. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, which can cause pain and, in some cases, infertility. Any disruption to the natural environment of the uterus can make it difficult for an egg to implant properly.
There are surgical procedures to remove the affected tissue, which in many cases restores the uterus to regular functioning. If you’re experiencing any of the common symptoms, it’s important to consult with your doctor before it gets worse.
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6. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
If you’ve been struggling for months with no results, it may be a good idea to consider In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). This is where eggs are taken out of the ovaries and then fertilized outside of the body with sperm within a lab setting. The fertilized egg is then transferred to the uterus.
IVF treatment is often the first line of treatment when there are blockages in the fallopian tubes, unexplained male infertility, advancing age, and more. There’s also the option of having eggs frozen so that the process can be tried again if it doesn’t work the first time.
7. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (or PCOS) occurs when the ovaries create excess hormones, which interrupts natural functioning in several ways. Women with PCOS can have irregular periods due to excess androgens, both of which contribute to what is one of the most common causes of infertility.
The condition can be managed through medication and lifestyle changes (such as diet), and your physician will be able to guide you through the steps you need to take to improve your chances of pregnancy.
8. Male Fertility Factors
In conjunction with considering your own body, your partner should also be looking at their lifestyle and overall health.
Behaviors like excessive drinking or smoking cigarettes, regularly having hot baths, using a sauna, or even wearing underwear that’s too tight, can all have an effect on sperm count and quality.
Many times, the issue lies entirely with the man’s body, so be sure you’ve factored this in.
9. Unexplained Fertility Issues
It’s often the case that fertility issues are completely unexplainable, and the answers as to why someone can’t get preganant are never fully elucidated.
That certainly doesn’t mean it’s a lost cause, though. The problem may be overcome by simply continuing to try, and other than IVF, there are also certain types of medication that can help reboot the ovulation process.
Sometimes, it can be a combination of factors; while one of the above interventions may prove insufficient, using a mixture of approaches can represent the key.
10. Maintaining a Strong Support System
And finally, something entirely unrelated to medical matters – your support network. Struggling to have a baby can be a trying time for you and your partner, so it’s important to surround yourself with loving friends and family who can support you through it. Try not to bottle things up, and reach out to those closest to you – they’ll be more than happy to help, and their loving embrace can make all the difference in the world.
You don’t have to do this alone, and with the right support and professional help, you’ll get there eventually. Good luck!
