Are you one of those couples who are desperately trying to
have a baby but have always failed miserably so? Have you always longed to hold your own flesh and blood in your
arms and lull him or her to sleep with your soothing lullabies? Are you looking forward to having your own
children and bringing them up as responsible individuals? Are you worried that these may all just
remain a dream? Well, if it offers any
consolation, you are not alone in this sad situation.
For couples that desperately wanted a baby, there can be no sadder word than
infertility. While it may be true that
about 85% of all couples that try to conceive get successful in doing so within
a year, there are still some couples that are not blessed with the same fate. Some couples simply do not have the ability
to bear children. However, do not lose
hope. Here are some useful suggestions
that may help you and your partner in dealing with infertility:
Get a physical. Okay, so you and your
partner decided that it is time for you to establish your own family. And a baby, your very own flesh and blood,
would be the most-welcome addition to complete the scene. To avoid disappointments of having to wait
and see whether you can get pregnant as planned, it would be sensible to get a
thorough physical exam. You should make
sure that there are no problems that may get in the way of you getting pregnant. Masses or cysts in the pelvic area, vaginal
infections, sexually transmitted diseases, fibroids and endometriosis may cause
infertility and should therefore be dealt with accordingly.
Quit smoking! Smoking may cause
infertility so you better avoid it if you are planning to have a baby. Smoking can lower a man’s sperm count and
may likewise affect a woman’s ability to conceive.
Say no to alcohol and drugs. A high
alcohol intake and a history of drug abuse can cause infertility in both men
and women. These habits can cause
hormonal imbalances that can negatively affect a man or woman’s reproductive
abilities.
Take a closer look at your medications.
There are many medications that can cause infertility. Even some common medications such as
over-the-counter analgesics can get in the way by inhibiting ovulation and
conception. To increase your chances of
getting pregnant, it may be helpful to avoid taking medications for the time
being. However, if you are taking some
prescription medications at present, it would be wise to consult your doctor
before you stop taking them.
Try to reduce your stress levels. In
this technologically advanced society, stress can be a very imposing factor
that may affect every facet of your life.
It can even affect your reproductive functions negatively and may
inadvertently lead to infertility. Stress
can affect you and your partner’s libido and may even affect your menstrual
cycle.
Avoid using lubricants. There are
certain vaginal lubricants that may impair the sperms’ ability to travel
through your reproductive tract and fertilize the precious egg at the end of
the line. So, if you are trying to get
pregnant, be extremely cautious in using these products.
Michael Russell
Your
Independent guide to Infertility
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