Infertility
may be broadly defined as the inability to get pregnant after trying
for at least one year without using any birth control. In Western
countries, infertility affects an estimated 15% of the population. While
a part of them are trying to conceive using alternative methods like
IVF, others prefer to optimize the chances of getting pregnant
naturally. Trying to get pregnant naturally may be very important, since
many couples and individuals who are diagnosed with infertility may be
able to get pregnant without treatment (and hence should be defined as
"subfertile" rather than "infertile").
When trying to get pregnant naturally, the most important factor is to
understand the menstrual cycle and the timing of ovulation, which leads
to the optimum chances of getting impregnated. Usually, ovulation occurs
around the fourteenth day, and hence, to get pregnant naturally, a
couple should have as much sexual intercourse as possible between the
twelfth and the fifteenth day. Different women have slightly varying
menstrual cycles.Hence, to improve the chances of becoming pregnant, it
is imperative to study one's periods, and calculate exactly when one
ovulates.
Determining the signs of ovulation.
To check for the right timings of ovulation, a woman can do one, or many, of the following things:
. Keep a calendar.
Keeping a calendar to chart the days is an easy and effective method to determine the right time to have sexual intercourse.
. Keep a check on vaginal fluids.
Mucus discharge from the vagina usually becomes heavier, thinner,
clearer and stretchy during ovulation when compared to the usual times.
. Feel the inside of the vagina.
During ovulation, the cervix is softer and slightly more open than usual.
. Keep tabs on any sharp pain in the abdomen.
Sharp pains in the abdomen, or some slight spotting, may be indicative of ovulation.
. Other physical conditions.
Headaches, bloating, breast tenderness and pain may be signs of ovulation.
Having checked for ovulation, there are some other things that an
individual can do to increase the chances of getting pregnant naturally.
These include lying still for a while after having sexual intercourse,
avoiding the bathroom for about thirty minutes after having sexual
intercourse, and most importantly, figuring out how many times one
should have sexual intercourse.
Men often neglect their own part to play in this whole scenario. The
sperms need to be of the correct constitution, correct shape and correct
motility too, or else, however fertile the women may be, impregnation
does not occur naturally. A way of ensuring that the sperms are
undamaged is by wearing boxers instead of briefs. Boxers help in keeping
the testicles from overheating and damaging sperms.
For both women and men, the anatomical and hormonal factors are not the
only ones to be monitored and corrected. In most cases, failure to
conceive may result from an improper diet, undue stress, the use of
drugs like alcohol and nicotine, and even environmental factors such as
proximity to harmful doses of pesticides. Abstinence from such factors
goes a long way in ensuring a pregnancy.
One should always keep in mind that the holistic approach to solving a
problem is the optimal way to tackle infertility. Getting regular health
checkups, taking supplements to combat existing problem, exercising and
stress reduction techniques are only part of the holistic solution to
infertility which considers the problem as part of a whole unlike the
conventional approach which tackles a specific body organ in its attempt
to heal. The holistic approach is not only a surefire way to increase
your chances of conception it also guarantees a safe and healthy
pregnancy.
No comments:
Post a Comment