HAVING DIFFICULTY CONCEIVING? READ TO POSSIBLY FIND A SOLUTION!

HAVING DIFFICULTY

Having difficulty conceiving is probably one of the most disheartening things to experience. I know because I’ve been there! It wasn’t an easy journey getting where we are today — there were tears, heartbreaks, and many, many doubts.

On average, most couples conceive within their first year of trying! This seems like a really long time... and it is. You don’t want to have to wait a whole year! You want a baby and you want it now! So it can be easy to get frustrated and concerned after a few months... I totally get it. Just know, you’re not the only one! So many women go through this difficulty conceiving. Maybe there’s a solution I give you that you haven’t tried just yet!

Keep in mind that all the information I’m giving is from an obstetrician that also specializes in infertility. However, please seek help from your own doctor to ensure you’re doing what’s best for you! I’m only sharing what I’ve learned. Thank you!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRYING?

This is a question to consider. If you’ve been trying for, I’d say, 1 - 4 months... Keep trying. You’re not necessarily having difficulty! I know it’s hard not to feel that way when you hear others getting pregnant on their honeymoon or after one month of trying, but every woman is different! Do not forget that.

If you’ve been trying for about 5 or 6 months, I would consider simply going to an OBGYN just to ask questions and see what you could do to better your chances (which I will discuss later).

If you’ve been trying for 7 - 12 months, I would most definitely go to an OBGYN to get some bloodwork done to check your hormone levels! There’s nothing scary in that — you’re getting ahead of the game and being proactive. In most cases, your hormones will be a little off (a lot of women’s hormones are off) and there’s almost always a solution to fix your little issue (I’ll discuss this in detail as well)!

1 - 4 MONTHS OF TRYING

I totally get it, you want to conceive and you do not even want to think about seeing a negative pregnancy test one more time!

WHAT TO DO
Make sure you’ve done your research! There are a lot of factors that play into trying to conceive — some of which I had no idea about myself when I first started trying!

1. TRACK OVULATION — You should have an app downloaded on your phone that helps you track your estimated time of ovulation. Ovulation is everything! You could only get pregnant just about 5 - 7 days of the entire month. So it’s important to know around when you’re ovulating! When you are, that’s the time you want to try!
2. OVULATION TESTS — If after a couple months of trying and you’re not really sure exactly when you’re ovulating according to the app, buy ovulation kits (I had no idea they existed until after a decent length of time trying). These tests are accurate in telling you when you have a high LH hormone level, which signals ovulation is coming within a day or so. This will help you catch it easier.
3. CERVICAL MUCUS — Okay, it’s TMI, whatever! But you can tell if you’re ovulating or about to ovulate by the look of your cervical mucus (discharge). The most fertile type of cervical mucus is one that looks clear, egg-whitey, and stretchy. This gives the environment for sperm cells to sort of stick to and helps the sperm swim where they need to be. Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!

5 - 6 MONTHS OF TRYING

You’re starting to get a little worried, I get it. I don’t blame you! But don’t give up — there are still some things you didn’t try! It’s still totally normal for so many couples to take this amount of time. Just relax and try to prevent yourself from becoming stressed!

WHAT TO DO
First of all, continue tracking ovulation using kits and keep an eye on your cervical mucus. In addition, go to an OBGYN just for the heck of it! Go ask questions, be advised, see what they tell you.

They will most likely tell you that you’re probably fine and that it just takes time to conceive for a lot of women! They may also give you a sort of “sex schedule” that will give you and your partner a better idea of when to try throughout your cycle. It may look something like trying every other day between days 10 and 22 of your cycle and then on the day of a positive ovulation test as well as the day or two after the positive. Try that and see how it goes! It just may be exactly what you need to do this upcoming cycle!

7 - 12 MONTHS OF TRYING

I know what you’re thinking, trust me. You’re losing hope as each month passes and you’re starting to wonder if it’s even possible for you to get pregnant. You have positive moments and other moments of negativity that comes with tears... Do not give up. I will not allow you to! Because during this time, you can truly find the solution to your problem! So please hear me out and trust me.

WHAT TO DO
Of course, continue tracking ovulation with the kits, paying attention to cervical mucus, and continue to the sex schedule.

BASAL BODY TEMPERATURE
On top of that, you could even keep track of your basal body temperature (BBT). From day one of your cycle, record your temperature in the morning the moment you wake up and before you step out of bed. You should have a pretty consistent bbt the first couple weeks, then you should see a random spike in your temperature (maybe by .5 or more). This signals you have already ovulated, because your natural body temperature slightly rises after your body releases an egg. So, let’s say your bbt was 96.9° days 1 - 13 of your cycle, you tried to conceive that night (day 13), and the next morning your bbt jumped to 97.4°. Your body most likely released the fertile egg sometime on day 13!

GET A BLOOD TEST
In addition, go back to your OBGYN. If they’re being annoying and not wanting to consult you until after a year of trying, find a different one. This is your life. So don’t wait for anyone if you don’t want to. Go in and ask to get a blood test done to check your hormone levels. This, is almost always the reason why women have difficulty conceiving and there’s almost always a quick fix!

I say to check your hormone levels because they are in control of what’s causing you to ovulate and conceive. If they are off the slightest, it can cause you difficulty. So check your FSH, LH, TSH, and estradiol levels and whatever else they suggest.

If any of these levels are a little low or high, it can impact your situation. You could possibly have something called PCOS (a disorder that prevents ovulating regularly — which btw, you can still get positive ovulation tests and not be able to ovulate regularly, FYI)! This happened to SO many women! And before you look the other way, you don’t need all the obvious symptoms they talk about. You could simply have some adult acne as your only symptom and you have it! You could have “regular periods” and have it! It is possible — trust me. I know several women who were shocked that they had it. And let me tell you, at this point, look at it as a positive thing!

If you find out that your bloodwork lines with PCOS, there are solutions! Most women with PCOS that are trying to conceive are able to while on a medication called Clomid! Within the first 6 months, 50% of women are able to get pregnant on it! In fact, Clomid stimulates your body to not only ovulate, but super ovulate! Each month, women have an 80% chance of ovulating... And if that was your problem, then this makes a HUGEEEE difference! I know women personally who’ve conceived after two months on this medication... So it could be even sooner or just a little later! It’s basically baby dust in pill form for a lot of women!

There are also other medications similar to Clomid, such as Metfomin, that also helps women with PCOS ovulate and conceive! I know some women who were able to get pregnant on this medication as well! So there are a few options that increase your chances by miles! And there is NO shame in seeking help through medication to try and get the precious baby you and your partner want so so badly.

*Consult with your OBGYN about taking Clomid or Metformin to see if it’s what works best for you. You may have to encourage them if you really want to try it and if you’ve exhausted all other methods. Just be sure to get blood work done to know your hormone levels prior to.*

So, being diagnosed with PCOS isn’t a horrible thing — it just means that it may be a little harder for you, but science has the tools you need to help you get to where you want to be! Plus, there are several natural ways to balance out your hormone levels through dieting and exercise! And if you aren’t diagnosed with PCOS but your hormones are still slightly off, it could be what’s taking so long that also has a quick fix, possibly with these medications as well. It’s all about getting your tests done, knowing your body & hormone levels, and finding a good doctor to get to the bottom of it — and you will!

THE TAKEAWAY

If you are having trouble conceiving, do not stress yourself. Sometimes, it just takes time and luck. It could be that you’re just one of the many women that take about a year on average... Or it could be something that needs a quick fix.

ALSO, not to mention... It’s very possible that the problem isn’t with your body and it’s with your partner’s body. Apparently, male infertility is on the rise. So ensure that your partner is also checked out and not just you! But exhaust all your options before losing hope! Make sure you’re doing everything you’re supposed to be doing before getting worried. Take it one step at a time! Stress can also impact your chances of conceiving, so it’s best to stay positive for the sake of having a baby!

Changing lifestyle habits can also increase your chances. Look into eating healthier, limiting sugars, carbs, and extra calories. Increase your water intake and decrease your caffeine intake. Also, exercise regularly! All these things are so beneficial to your body while trying to conceive. ALSO, SUPER IMPORTANT! You should be taking prenatal vitamins while trying to conceive!!! So if you aren’t, go buy some now! It helps your body prepare for babies.

Also, keep in mind... Scientifically speaking, only 50% of eggs that have been fertilized by the sperm cell will actually survive, go through your Fallopian tube, make it to your uterus, and successfully implant! That’s only HALF the time! It’s science, it’s fact, and it’s luck. So you could be ovulating each month and could have had an egg that was successfully fertilized, but the egg simply failed to implant all on its own (it’s a tough journey for those eggs)! It’s not your fault. It just happens and the fertilized egg simply has only a 50% chance of success in the first place! I taught this in my own psychology class — it’s so crazy to hear, but it’s true!

So, keep on trying. Let the swimmers keep on swimming! Track your ovulation and pay attention to your body, ask your doctor questions, check yourself (or even your partner) out with your doctor by getting tests, pray, and have patience.

I wish you the best of luck! Take what you learned and run with it. It will happen when your time is right. Take it easy, don’t stress. You’ll get there in the most perfect time.

*Sending baby dust your way*
✨✨✨


Sincerely,
Sabreen

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