Six Simple Steps May Increase the Chance of Pregnancy

“Doing what comes naturally,” as the saying goes, makes it sound like becoming a parent is easy. Studies show, however, that one in six couples has difficulty conceiving a child on their own (see last month’s column, “What is Infertility?”).

Although the problem may lie with either partner, a woman’s age is the most critical factor. Women reach the peak of their fertility in their late 20s and experience a rapid decline from age 35 to 40. Women over age 41 rarely become pregnant without fertility treatment.

With the biological clock ticking, a couple who wishes to start a family should consider starting right away. Following are some tips to help couples improve their chances of success.

Assess both partners’ reproductive health. It is critical that a couple be honest with their doctor about past infections and diseases, especially sexually transmitted ones. Consequences that can interfere with efforts to get pregnant include scar tissue inside a woman’s fallopian tubes. The doctor may suggest some tests.

Review all medications and supplements with a healthcare professional, whether a physician or pharmacist. Some prescription medications can impair a person’s fertility, as can some over-the-counter medicines as well as “natural” supplements. Men’s sperm quality and motility, for example, can be impaired by blood pressure medications and herbal supplements.

Engage in frequent intercourse. This may seem obvious, but couples may let other issues in their lives interfere with their time together. For that reason, sometimes a vacation is just what the doctor ordered – time to relax and recreate. Studies bear this out, showing that pregnancy rates do increase for couples who escape the stress and grind of their daily routines.

Keep track of the woman’s monthly cycle. A couple increases the likelihood of pregnancy by having intercourse close to the time of ovulation, and one way to determine that time is to keep a calendar of the menstrual cycle. In a typical 28-day cycle, a woman is most likely to become pregnant during days 10 through 14. There are also several over-the-counter ovulation kits that can help couples determine when ovulation occurs.

Don’t smoke. This advice holds for both partners. In women, smoking causes the eggs to age more rapidly. In men, it decreases sperm motility. Smoking decreases fertility by an estimated 35 percent, and can increase by a year or more the time it takes a couple to conceive.

Maintain a healthy weight and diet. Being too thin or too heavy can stop ovulation. A healthy diet that focuses on non-processed foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables and a target body fat percentage of 20 to 25 percent may increase the odds of becoming pregnant.

Medical intervention may still be necessary for couples who have been trying but have not been able to conceive a baby. For otherwise healthy couples in their 20s and early 30s, one year is considered the threshold; for older couples, that time shortens to just three months. If unsuccessful in that time, they should make an appointment with their physician or reproductive specialist. There are many medical options available to lend nature a hand in helping a couple achieve their dream of parenthood.

Daniel F. Rychlik, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., is board certified in Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is the associate medical director at the Fertility Treatment Center, an academic medical practice and one of the most comprehensive reproductive treatment facilities in the western United States with centers in Tempe, Scottsdale and Glendale.  For more information, call (480) 831-2445 or visit www.fertilitytreatmentcenter.com.