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Help! I Can't Get Pregnant
You’ve decided to have a baby, and you’re trying to get pregnant. How long should it take? Generally, physicians accept that 80% of women having unprotected vaginal intercourse without birth control become pregnant within six months. After a year, that number climbs to 85%.
If you’re still not pregnant after 12 months, then it’s time to visit gynecologist Dr. Jennifer Moreira at ThriveOB and Women's Wellness in Barrington, Illinois. Treating fertility difficulties is one of the most important services we offer for our patients.
Reasons why conception doesn’t happen
When you’re ready for the experience, even six months can seem like a long time. However, getting pregnant is, in itself, a bit of a timing miracle.
Consider the rough timeline of conception:
- An egg is released about the mid-point of a woman’s menstrual cycle
- This egg is only available for fertilization for a period of about 24 hours
- Sex must occur during this 24-hour period to fertilize the egg
- The fertilized egg implants in the uterus within six days
- After 11 days, your body releases enough pregnancy hormones to test positive
Anything that interrupts this timeline can prevent a pregnancy, including:
- Timing
- Irregular ovulation
- Conditions affecting the fallopian tubes or uterus
- Any lifestyle factors that affect fertility
Despite the number of disruptors that can occur, making a few small changes can greatly improve your chances of conception.
Things to try immediately
Perhaps the most effective strategy for aiding pregnancy is close tracking of ovulation. While a 28-day cycle with ovulation on day 14 is a general average, individual women can vary widely. Techniques you can use to help pinpoint include:
- Tracking via calendar
- Monitor vaginal discharge: cervical mucus resembles raw egg whites when you’re fertile
- Basal body temperature tracking
- Ovulation predictor kits
- Physical symptoms: Some women feel a slight ache on one side when they ovulate
Combining two or more prediction methods may give you a more accurate picture of ovulation.
In addition to pinpointing your most fertile days, prioritize nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress management to improve your chances of successful fertilization.
When to see a fertility specialist
It’s time to see Dr. Moreira and her team when you cross the 12-month threshold without becoming pregnant. Most women take 6 months or less, and 85% succeed within a year.
There may be circumstances when this timing doesn’t apply, including:
- You’re over 35: visit us at 6 months
- You’re over 40: you’re automatically a high-risk pregnancy, so visit us at the start of your conception journey
- You’ve previously had miscarriages
- You have menstrual cycle irregularities
- Medical conditions are present: including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, thyroid disorders
Contact ThriveOB and Women's Wellness anytime you have a pregnancy-related concern or suspected fertility issue. You can book an appointment by calling 847-868-2908 today.
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