What you need to know if you’re trying to get pregnant

What you need to know if you’re trying to get pregnant and may have fertility questions.

*By definition “fertility is the natural capability to produce offspring.”

FERTILITY: Such a beautiful word! The image one might conjure up in his or her mind is of something lavish.  After all, some of the synonyms associated with this word could be: abundant, arable, fruitful, lush, productive and rich.  All of which bring allurement to consciousness.  Close your eyes and try imagery with this word. Impossible to think of anything gloomy.  Now try this exercise in relation to humans and conception.  First thoughts may have been a beautiful, perfect, angelic baby or some of you may have given in to thoughts of the activities involved in producing this angel.  Both are pleasing symbolisms.

It’s assumed throughout a woman’s childhood that she will be able to reproduce someday. She likely spends a lot of time dreaming of what her children will look like in the future.  Maybe she’s even explored her ancestry and or that of her love, fantasy partner. Even men presume his sperm will do what’s needed to bring life into this world.  Neither male nor female child will have reason to consider the unthinkable:  INFERTILITY. Unless a person is told otherwise, there really is no argument to contemplate a different outcome.  Innocence is bliss.

Infertility

*By definition “the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after 12 months of trying to conceive through unprotected intercourse.”

The word “infertile” conjures up somber thoughts.  Feelings of inadequacy, impotence or sterility may come to the heart, even when the word does not pertain to you. There is likely nothing anyone can say or do to help alleviate those grim feelings when you are the couple given that diagnosis.  Statistically speaking, approximately 6.1 million or 10% of couples between the ages of 15 and 44 will encounter this conversation with their caregiver.  A third of the issues are female, a third are male and the final third is a combination of the two.  With the right support and knowledge more than ¾ of those families will go on to give birth to their own offspring.  Let’s start at the beginning:

A Love Story

Egg= Maiden Sperm= Knight in Shining Armor

Approximately every month an egg (maiden) will mature and be released from the ovary and travel into the fallopian tube to wait for her “knight in shining armor” (sperm). After ejaculation takes place inside the vagina, it’s a race to the “maiden”.  A true “fight to the finish”.  The vagina is a potentially hostile environment and can kill off weaker “knights” by the millions.  This acidic territory is prepared to fight off invaders to prevent infections. Only the strong “knights” will make it to the cervix where the habitat is hospitable.  Once he makes it past the enemy territory, the “knights” have a long, arduous journey to find their “maiden.”  Assuming she (egg) is waiting for him (sperm), the “knight” will have to keep up his stamina to enter the “maiden” before the other robust “knights” (sperm).  If he (sperm) is strong enough to penetrate his love (egg), fireworks go off in the form of a blastocyst and they will multiply and divide millions of times. Together they will continue the journey into the lining of the uterus (and live happily ever after), which has thickened to prepare for this fertilization. Once implanted, you have officially achieved pregnancy.  Incidentally, if the knight and his maiden (sperm & egg) don’t make it, the lining and blood will shed.  This is called menstruation.  Who knew there were love/war stories inside our bodies every month?  Read on for basic facts to consider:

Females:

• Each woman is born with millions of immature eggs that are awaiting ovulation to begin.
• Ovulation can be affected by stress, illness or disruption of normal routines.
• The health of the woman determines the health of her egg and the chances of a viable pregnancy.
• The egg can only live 12-24 hours after leaving the ovary.
• Normally, one egg is released each time.
• Implantation of a fertilized egg normally takes place 6-12 days after ovulation.
• Some women will experience pain or aching near the ovaries during ovulation called mittleschmerz or “middle pain”.
• Some women may experience light blood or spotting during ovulation.
• A menstrual period can occur even if ovulation has not occurred.
• Ovulation can occur even if a menstrual period has not occurred.
• If an egg is not fertilized, it disintegrates and is absorbed into the uterine lining.

Males:

• A single sperm is tiny, invisible to the naked eye.
• Millions of sperm will be released with just one ejaculation.
• The health of the male determines the health of his sperm and chances of impregnation.
• If sperm hit the air, they die within minutes.
• Sperm must be strong and vibrant to make the journey.
• Sperm must stay energized to swim from one end of the womb to the other.
• Sperm must move in a forward-moving manner for success.
• Most sperm will not make it to the awaiting egg due to exhaustion.
• Some sperm look for their maiden (egg) in the wrong fallopian tube.
• Some sperm may have been neutralized by natural antibodies or hostile cervical fluids.
• Hundreds of sperm will compete to enter the outer layer of the egg and only one will win the prize.

Putting all of this into perspective, keep in mind that there is a very small window of opportunity to have the Knight and his Maiden unite.  Odds are low if you’re a betting person.  Achieving pregnancy may take more than throwing away your condoms or birth control pills. If you are new to this, start simple: change your lifestyle to bring out the healthiest forms of you and your partner.  It takes at least a cycle of 4 months to replenish egg and sperm.  This should give you enough time to optimize their vitality and ensure the love story has a happy and healthy ending. 

Don’t forget to read all the fertility blogs to improve your odds!

I am not a physician and can not diagnose your issues.  Please seek the advice of a healthcare provider.

Happy Parenting-to-be!!