The period a couple is trying to conceive (TTC) is definitely one of the most difficult in their lives. It’s a physically challenging time, as well as an emotionally draining one. In addition to this, our society is not particularly forgiving to childlessness, and in most cases the woman is at the receiving end. In a bid to conceive as soon as possible; there are some mistakes that can be made in the TTC journey. These common mistakes are avoidable and can easily be corrected.
1. Stressing
It’s almost impossible for a couple trying to conceive not to be stressed out; what with wondering what’s wrong with them, the stress of trying different solutions, and unsolicited comments from people. However, research has shown that when a woman is stressed out, her chances of getting pregnant are greatly reduced. That’s because stress can affect the functioning of the hypothalamus — the gland in the brain that regulates the hormones that tell your ovaries to release eggs. Stay positive and find ways to take your mind off TTCing. It would really help to have an understanding and cooperative partner. Pray together, hangout, take vacations, and have sex just for the fun of it.
2. Not knowing when you are ovulating
There is a small window of opportunity in a woman’s monthly cycle during which she can conceive, know as the fertile window. It includes a few days leading up to ovulation and on the day of ovulation, about 3-6 days on the whole. Therefore timing is of the essence when trying to conceive, and you should be able to track your ovulation if you want to boost your chances. Knowing the exact time of ovulation might be particularly tricky for some women, because the symptoms of ovulation are not obvious. In that case, an Ovulation Predictor Kit might be the best option.
3. Waiting for the ovulation day to have sex
An egg can only be fertilized 24 hours after it is released. After this time the fertile window is closed. The problem with obsessing and targeting the ovulation day proper is that for most women, knowing the exact day of ovulation is not so easy. Even women with a textbook cycle of 28 days might still find it a bit tricky, and by then it might already be too late. It’s better to start having sex from the days leading up to ovulation, about 4-6 days is a good start. The sperm will always be there hanging out for about 3-5 days, waiting for the egg to be released.
4. Seeing a specialist too early or too late
It’s very easy to get all panicky and start seeking help after 3 or 4 months of hoping to get pregnant, but you may end up putting yourself under unnecessary stress, which will have an adverse effect on your fertility.
Also, it’s wrong to waste time before a seeing a specialist. Most times in Nigeria, some women are seen going from one prayer house to the other in search of miracles, or seeing some herbalists with ‘magical powers’, or just waiting endlessly for God’s time. Yes, miracles happen and God’s time is the best; but you should play your own part by getting treatment at the appropriate time, and then God will answer in his time. A successful fertility treatment is a big miracle in itself.
When is the best time to see a specialist? Except you have a known health issue that can affect fertility, the normal recommendation is to see a specialist after 1 year of regular and unprotected sex, if you are less than 35 years. If you are 35 years and above, you should see a specialist after 6 months of trying.
5. Unhealthy lifestyle choices
Lifestyle choices have an impact on a man or a woman’s fertility. Waiting to start a family at a much older age, unhealthy weight (underweight or overweight), habits like smoking, alcohol, caffeine, being stressed out, use of illicit drugs, environmental and occupational exposures, are some of the lifestyle choices that can affect fertility.
6. Restricting yourself to particular sex positions
Some sex positions have been touted as the best for getting pregnant; however, there are more important factors that control your ability to get pregnant than mere positioning. Conception will happen in any position provided the woman is ovulating and the man’s sperms are normal. So free yourself and explore other lovemaking positions. Remember, you should be having sex just for the fun of it, so as not to be stressed out.
7. Assuming it’s the woman’s fault
Before a woman takes responsibility or accepts blame for the TTC struggle, the man also needs to be assessed. 40% of infertility is due to female problems, another 40% due to male problems, and the rest is caused by unexplained factors, meaning there’s nothing wrong medically to impede conception. The couple should be assessed by a specialist before treatment commences.
8. Douching and other internal cleansing practices
The vagina is self cleansing and therefore doesn’t need to be cleaned internally. Douching alters the natural PH of the vagina, leaving it susceptible to infections. Studies have shown that women who douche are 30% less likely to conceive each month they try. Also, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) recommends that women avoid vaginal douching.
