Natural Conception
Fertility experts always suggest that it is important to understand when you’re ovulating. Based on that, having intercourse regularly five days before and on the day of ovulation will be responsible for increasing your chances of conceiving to a greater extent.
Ovulation cycle and its important role in natural conception
- Ovulation is the process during which a mature egg gets released from the ovary.
- After being released, the egg travels down the fallopian tube and remains there for 12 to 24 hours, until it can be fertilized.
- Under proper conditions, sperm can survive in the female reproductive system for up to five days following sexual intercourse.
- The presence of living sperm in the fallopian tubes upon ovulation increases your chances of becoming pregnant.
Ovulation happens roughly 14 days prior to the beginning of your next menstrual period, in a 28-day menstrual cycle. For people with irregular periods, the date of ovulation may vary.
When to Consult with a Fertility Specialist?
Most healthy individuals/ couples conceive after a year of having frequent unprotected sex. But if that fails to get you pregnant then it’s time to look out for other options. Below mentioned are the situations that demand a visit to a fertility specialist:
- If you are 35 or older and have been trying to conceive for six months or more
- If you or your partner has known or suspected reproductive concerns.
It is necessary to know that both men and women are affected by infertility and both should visit a fertility clinic to opt for the diagnosis and available treatments. Your gynecologist, your partner’s urologist, or your family doctor may be able to help, depending on the cause of the problem. But in some circumstances, a fertility specialist is your best bet.
What are the best Fertility Treatments Available?
Pregnancy with IUI
Dr. Sonali Malagaonkar, Fertility consultant at Progenesis IVF says, “ Many of my patients face a specific confusion, that is, whether to avail for IUI treatment or to directly go for the IVF treatment? Well the answer is simple. It absolutely depends on your personal fertility issue and what your body requires in order to get pregnant.”
- IUI or Intrauterine insemination is considered to be the first line of treatment when it comes to male factor infertility or unexplained infertility.
- It is also considered when you have been trying to get pregnant for less than 5 years without success.
- IUI is less expensive and less invasive
- It helps achieve positive results as the best quality sperm that has been washed and prepared is inserted directly inside the female with a catheter, during her ovulation period, to help achieve fertilization successfully.
“We have had several successful conceptions with the help of IUI at our centers”, confirms Dr. Sonali. “ One incident I remember was of a couple who came to us after trying to conceive naturally for a span of 7 years. They had booked a package of both IUI and IVF treatments, but they conceived successfully with IUI and no longer had to avail IVF.”, she says.
Success story link:
Pregnancy with IVF
IVF or In vitro fertilization is considered by fertility experts to be the best fertility treatment with the highest success rates, as both the egg and sperm are fertilized externally in a lab and the fertilized embryo is directly inserted in the mother’s womb for conception. IVF is availed under the following circumstances:
- For females with infertility indicators like endometriosis or fallopian tube damage
- For males with severe male factor infertility
- Age-related infertility, i.e, if you are above the age of 35 and cannot conceive naturally
- If you have suffered multiple IUI failures
“At Progenesis, we have seen quite impossible cases of infertility getting resolved with the help of IVF.”, says Dr. Narhari Malagaonkar, Chief fertility consultant, at Progenesis IVF center.
“One such couple who came to us had tried for 26 years to get pregnant after marriage. Many lose all hope at this point, but this couple who came to us at Progenesis had not. It was a difficult case as the age of the couple was on the higher side. The wife was 45 and the husband was 56 years old and prior to this they had received treatment at several other places but had failed to conceive. But coming to Progenesis was fruitful for them as our IVF treatment helped them conceive and now they are the blessed parents of a beautiful baby boy.” confirms Dr. Malagaonkar.
Success story link:
The road to pregnancy is often not smooth. There are several ups and downs that expectant parents have to face while starting their journey towards parenthood. But what matters most is that you make it a point to not lose hope and try all possible means to make your way to your future baby. No matter what, always believe that good news is on its way.
FAQ’s
How to get pregnant with PCOD/PCOS?
A small weight reduction can result in more regular ovulation in women with PCOS who are overweight or obese, increasing the possibility of conception. Having sex during the “fertile window” (the five days before and during ovulation) increases the likelihood of conception for people who properly ovulate.
Note that PCOD treatment will work best if you make healthy lifestyle adjustments. Getting pregnant is also not a problem if PCOD is under control. You may, however, require assistance of medicines or assisted reproductive technology (ART) with the help of a fertility specialist.
How to get pregnant with ovulation irregularities?
After ruling out other medical concerns, your doctor may prescribe fertility medicines to boost your ovulation. Folate is thought to encourage regular ovulation and higher progesterone levels in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Because it is effective and has been recommended to women for decades, the medicine found in Clomid and Serophene (clomiphene) is frequently a first choice.
How to get pregnant with Endometriosis?
Your doctor may urge you to try to get pregnant naturally for a duration of six months. If it fails, intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be advised. Surgery may increase the chances of pregnancy, but the benefit is likely to be minimal in comparison to the hazards.
How to get pregnant with a low sperm count?
A low sperm count reduces the chances of one of your sperm fertilizing your partner’s egg, leading to pregnancy. Despite this, many men with low sperm counts are nonetheless able to father babies. If natural conception fails, reproductive treatments such as IUI and ICSI can help.
How to know which fertility treatment is right for you?
ART or Assisted Reproductive Technology. This entails collecting mature eggs, fertilizing them in a laboratory dish with sperm, and then inserting the embryos into the womb, after fertilization. IVF is the most successful method of assisted reproduction.