Even in the 21st Century, fertility remains a fairly taboo subject, which means that lots of people know very little about their own ability to conceive a healthy baby. There’s more to it than having a regular monthly cycle and regular sexual intercourse, so I have teamed up with an ICSI treatment clinic in London to explore some of the key facts about fertility below.
Plan Ahead
If you are hoping to become pregnant soon, be sure to plan ahead. If you or your partner smoke, it would be a good idea to quit as soon as possible, as well as reducing your alcohol intake and ensuring you are eating a healthy, balanced diet. What’s more, if you are using birth control, you may need to stop in advance to allow time for your fertility to regulate. Women should also consider taking a folic acid supplement 12 weeks before you hope to become pregnant, because this can prevent birth defects such as spina bifida.
It would be worth booking an appointment with your GP so that you can have a full health check-up, including your sexual health. They will be able to give you advice to help you improve your chances of conceiving a healthy baby and will let you know if you need to stop taking certain medications. Your appointment will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions and clear up any concerns.
Understand Your Cycle
Ovulation usually occurs around 10-16 days before your period starts, and it’s the best time to try and conceive. During ovulation, your temperature may rise slightly, and your cervical mucus should be clearer and more slippery. You may also have tender breasts and stomach cramps. If you have a regular cycle, it should be easy to determine when you are ovulating, but you may need to do an ovulation test to check.
If both you and your partner are in full health and your fertility is normal, you should be able to conceive a child within a year of trying. For older couples, this might take longer. If you are experiencing problems with conception, speak to your doctor about your options; you may need to consider IVF or other fertility treatments to help you have a baby.
This is a collaboration post