FOR some women, getting pregnant is straightforward.
But for others, it’s not nearly so simple, with some families struggling to conceive for months, or even years.
Millions of couples across the world are affected by infertility, which is a common, yet incredibly challenging journey.
In the UK around one in seven couples struggle to conceive and the NHS says you should see your GP if you’ve been trying to conceive for a year, to no avail.
Struggling couples are often bombarded with myths, misinformation and stigma as they try to start their families.
Speaking to The Sun, one expert has revealed exactly what to do if you’re struggling to conceive and when you should seek help.
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Fertility expert Dr Lora Shahine said that when we are younger, we are taught to protect ourselves from pregnancy and told we’re in control of making sure we use contraception effectively.
Fast forward to starting a family and Dr Shahine says we are still taught we are in control, but sadly, when it comes to fertility, that’s not always the case.
“We are told we have control but then 80 per cent of people struggle to get pregnant in the first six months of trying,” she explains.
This can be even more distressing if people are still struggling to conceive a year on.
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Dr Shahine, who recently launched podcast Baby Or Bust, to help women on their fertility journey, says it’s best to take action sooner rather than later if you are struggling to conceive.
She explains that you shouldn’t wait a year if you’re struggling with fertility issues: “Go and see your doctor after six months if you’re struggling.
“It’s never too early to start asking questions, and part of the problem is that people wait too long.”
There are a range of conditions that might mean you are struggling to conceive, including blocked fallopian tubes and low male sperm count.
Dr Shahine says one of the best things you can do is go for egg testing.
This will look into your reserve, examine your ovaries and will help pinpoint any potential issues.
My biggest tip for getting pregnant probably really would be to not get stressed
The burden should not fall solely on women when it comes to fertility issues though, says Dr Shahine.
“Getting pregnant can be hard when you get to 39 or 40 as age impacts the egg and the sperm, but the sperm won’t see this impact until a man gets into his late 40s and 50s.
“It’s a misconception that [all] men are fertile into their 70s like Mick Jagger, but it will still make a difference.
“But it will take longer for older women to conceive as the age impact is much more dramatic for eggs compared to sperm.
“No cells work like they did in our 20s, and eggs are no different from this.
“As we age we have fewer eggs to fertilise, it takes longer to conceive and there is a higher chance of miscarriage,” she says.
HOW TO GET PREGNANT
If you’ve been trying to conceive for a while and you’re struggling, Dr Shahine said to start by looking at your lifestyle.
“The healthier you are, the more fertile you are”, she says.
“You need to look at your nutrition, your exercise levels and your stress management before even considering treatment options.”
Dr Shahine explains that it’s important to understand your cycle and window of fertility in order to maximise your chances of getting pregnant.
“When you’re in your cycle, you’re fertile for a six day window.
“During this time you should try and have intercourse every other day.
“You should be charting your cycle and learning more about your body and the key is to keep track of when you’re ovulating.”
Despite many people believing that certain positions will help you conceive more easily, Dr Shahine says this is just not the case.
“There’s no particular position and not really a particular day. You need to make sure you’re having regular intercourse in the week leading up to ovulation.”
Trying for a baby can be stressful. The desire to start or complete your family can place a lot of pressure on a relationship.
Dr Shahine says people get so worried and stressed they can become consumed with trying to do the right thing.
“The mind and the body are connected. Stress is a part of overall health and is the worst thing.
“My biggest tip for getting pregnant probably really would be to not get stressed.
“We can’t eliminate stressful situations from our lives but we can work on [our] overall stress levels,” she says.
How to stop feelings of stress
If you’re feeling stressed it can be difficult to get in the mood for sex and can even harm your fertility chances.
One expert has revealed some tips that can help you to relax.
Emma Kenny, top psychologist, working with Brabantia revealed her ways to destress.
Stress free scents – use aromatherapy diffusers whilst cleaning to help you feel relaxed and focussed. Peppermint, sweet orange, and rosemary are excellent essential oils that will mean you keep on track effortlessly and end up with a gorgeous smelling home.
Treat yourself -You could book yourself a massage, go out for a meal with your family, treat yourself to a new pair of shoes, or spend a whole day watching your favourite box set whilst eating your favourite treats.
Go for a run – Experts at Runners Needs say that getting out for a run can help with stress. Christian Allen, product trainer at Runners Needs said: "Just being outdoors in the fresh air and putting one foot in front of the other is therapeutic". He added that running can help people zone out and exist purely in the moment, allowing them to not think of any other worries.
The NHS also highlights the below tips to deal with stress:
- be active
- connect with people
- make time for yourself
- avoid unhealthy habits
- try to be positive
TREATMENT OPTIONS
When it comes to fertility treatment, Dr Shahine said there’s variety of options.
The low tech options include medication in the form of pills, such as clomid or letrozole which can help induce ovulation.
There’s also Intrauterine insemination, a type of artificial insemination which involves washing and preparing the sperm, before it’s placed directly in the uterus.
High tech options include IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
This isn’t an alternative to IVF but is an optional part of it, where sperm cells are injected into eggs.
Dr Shahine has spent 20 years caring for patients and says that traditionally you would start with low tech and then move onto IVF as a last resort.
“IVF is much more accessible now, and some women are starting in their 40s and want two kids.
“If that’s the case, you should go straight to IVF and even consider the option of freezing embryos,” she says.
If you’re struggling to get pregnant and are planning on talking to your GP about it, Dr Shahine says there are some things you should bear in mind.
“Do some research before the first visit with your doctor,” she says.
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“You need to understand what your goals are, think about what you want your family to look like and make that a part of your plan.
“Think about your emotional wellness and mental health – I really can’t emphasise that enough, it’s as important as your physical health,” she adds.
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