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A Question Of Conception

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You may think that starting a family should be the easiest thing in the world but for many couples the joy of expecting a baby does not come as quickly as they hoped. It is a worrying time and poses many medical and lifestyle questions you might have never previously contemplated. In this article I’ve offered comprehensive answers to six frequently asked questions.

How long should we try to conceive before seeking medical advice?

This really depends on you and your partner’s health. It is always worth seeing your GP before starting to try. Your GP will ensure that you have been immunised against German measles (Rubella), and discuss lifestyle changes that you may need to make to maximise your chances and ensure that you will be as healthy as possible through pregnancy. Your GP will also be able to gather information about you and your partner and decide if you should be referred early on to a gynaecologist.

Generally as long as you and your partner are in good health, then you should try for about one year before seeking medical help. This is because most couples (80%) will fall pregnant within the first year, and 95% within two years without any medical intervention.

What sort of investigations should we expect to have done after one year?

After one year of trying, it is worth looking into why there maybe a delay. Your GP should be able to organise the basic investigations for you and your partner. The most important tests are a blood test to check that you are ovulating, and that your partner’s semen analysis is normal.

The ovulation blood test is best done 7 days before your next period starts. If you have a 28 day cycle then this means that the test is done on day 21. Commercially available urine tests are available and these will detect ovulation (again in 28 day cycle, ovulation should happen around day 14).

The male partner is normally given instructions as to producing the sample. To standardise the test most laboratories advise three days of abstinence from ejaculation. Most fertility centres have rooms where men can produce samples. Should this not be the case, it is best to bring in the sample as quickly as possible. Also try and keep the container as close to body temperature as possible.

My partner is not keen on having a semen test, does it matter?

Yes it does matter. We know that about 30% of all subfertility is due to there being a major problem on the male side. Slightly reduced semen measurements are thought to be contributory in another 15% of cases. It is very important that your partner’s semen is checked very early on in your investigations.

My periods are irregular, does that mean I will never be able to get pregnant?

An irregular cycle is when a woman has a cycle length of more than 35 days. The vast majority of women with irregular periods will fall pregnant. The most common cause of irregular periods is polycystic ovarian syndrome. This condition affects 20% of women, and is normally effectively treatable by weight control and medication.

An irregular cycle often means that ovulation (egg production) is not occurring on a regular basis. However, ovulation can occur occasionally. This explains why women with irregular periods can still conceive without medical aid, but the length of time they need to try is longer than in those women with regular cycles. If medication is required to make you ovulate then the treatment is best monitored by ultrasound.

I am 37 and am worried that I will not be able to conceive.

It is well publicised that the ability to fall pregnant decreases with age. This is because a woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have. The eggs of a 37 year old woman are 37 years old and unfortunately вЂ

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<h1>A Question Of Conception</h1><br />by Net Callidus<br />You may think that starting a family should be the easiest thing in the world but for many couples the joy of expecting a baby does not come as quickly as they hoped. It is a worrying time and poses many medical and lifestyle questions you might have never previously contemplated. In this article I’ve offered comprehensive answers to six frequently asked questions.<br /><br />How long should we try to conceive before seeking medical advice?<br /><br />This really depends on you and your partner’s health. It is always worth seeing your GP before starting to try. Your GP will ensure that you have been immunised against German measles (Rubella), and discuss lifestyle changes that you may need to make to maximise your chances and ensure that you will be as healthy as possible through pregnancy. Your GP will also be able to gather information about you and your partner and decide if you should be referred early on to a gynaecologist.<br /><br />Generally as long as you and your partner are in good health, then you should try for about one year before seeking medical help. This is because most couples (80%) will fall pregnant within the first year, and 95% within two years without any medical intervention.<br /><br />What sort of investigations should we expect to have done after one year?<br /><br />After one year of trying, it is worth looking into why there maybe a delay. Your GP should be able to organise the basic investigations for you and your partner. The most important tests are a blood test to check that you are ovulating, and that your partner’s semen analysis is normal.<br /><br />The ovulation blood test is best done 7 days before your next period starts. If you have a 28 day cycle then this means that the test is done on day 21. Commercially available urine tests are available and these will detect ovulation (again in 28 day cycle, ovulation should happen around day 14).<br /><br />The male partner is normally given instructions as to producing the sample. To standardise the test most laboratories advise three days of abstinence from ejaculation. Most fertility centres have rooms where men can produce samples. Should this not be the case, it is best to bring in the sample as quickly as possible. Also try and keep the container as close to body temperature as possible.<br /><br />My partner is not keen on having a semen test, does it matter?<br /><br />Yes it does matter. We know that about 30% of all subfertility is due to there being a major problem on the male side. Slightly reduced semen measurements are thought to be contributory in another 15% of cases. It is very important that your partner’s semen is checked very early on in your investigations.<br /><br />My periods are irregular, does that mean I will never be able to get pregnant?<br /><br />An irregular cycle is when a woman has a cycle length of more than 35 days. The vast majority of women with irregular periods will fall pregnant. The most common cause of irregular periods is polycystic ovarian syndrome. This condition affects 20% of women, and is normally effectively treatable by weight control and medication.<br /><br />An irregular cycle often means that ovulation (egg production) is not occurring on a regular basis. However, ovulation can occur occasionally. This explains why women with irregular periods can still conceive without medical aid, but the length of time they need to try is longer than in those women with regular cycles. If medication is required to make you ovulate then the treatment is best monitored by ultrasound.<br /><br />I am 37 and am worried that I will not be able to conceive.<br /><br />It is well publicised that the ability to fall pregnant decreases with age. This is because a woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have. The eggs of a 37 year old woman are 37 years old and unfortunately вЂ<br /><h2>About the Author</h2><p>For more information about <a href="http://www.babyfy.com">Baby Product Reviews</a> please visit our website - <a href="http://www.babyfy.com" title="www.babyfy.com">http://www.babyfy.com</a></p> <br /><h3><a href="http://www.content4reprint.com/women-in-business/a-question-of-conception.htm" title="A Question Of Conception">Article Source:</a> <a href="http://www.content4reprint.com" title="Free high quality articles">Content for Reprint</a></h3>