My husband and I have two beautiful children and we are very grateful that, for the most part, being blessed with a family was an easy-ish effort. But that is not the case for everyone. Many couples long to start a family and dream of holding their own bundle of joy one day, only to be disappointed month after month. The reasons vary, but in Canada one in six Canadian couples now experience fertility-related problems, a number that has been on the rise for the past several decades [1]. What is supposed to be a wonderful time for a couple, bonding over a shared desired to have a family of their own, can often be overshadowed by the stress of “trying.”
Like the expression says, anything worth having is worth fighting for. With National Infertility Awareness Week coming up in May (12th to 20th), we thought it would be a great idea to share some tips that might help anyone wanting to start a family to realize that dream. As with any situation where your health is involved, you should always consult your family doctor. In the meantime, have a look at the following tips provided by Doctor David Greenberg, Family Physician at St. Joseph Hospital.
1) Live a healthy life.
This is good advice for anyone really, but even more so if you are trying to conceive. Prepare your body for the new life you want to grow. You can start to take prenatal vitamins, eat right and get a good exercise regime going. Quit smoking if you do and avoid drinking alcohol. You will basically be treating your body like you are already preggers, but that’s a good thing.
2) Try, but don’t “try”!
I am sure you have heard people say that the moment they stopped trying to get pregnant they actually did. For many prospective parents “trying” to conceive month after month can be filled with anxiety and worry. Heightened stress can actually cause more challenges. Starting a family can seem more like a job. It’s important to live in the moment and just enjoy being with your partner.
3) Know yourself, know your body.
When I was trying to get pregnant with my second child I became very aware of when the best time was to do so. That window of time is surprisingly short, so to take advantage of this couples should have sexual intercourse on the days when conception is likeliest to happen. Every woman’s body is unique and, when trying to become pregnant, your individual cycle should be taken into consideration. The First Response™ Digital Ovulation Test detects and tracks your personal daily baseline levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) to detect your personal LH surge, unlike other ovulation tests that use a preset “average” level to determine an LH surge.
4) Know that it’s not your fault. ♥
Having a child is a deeply personal and emotional experience. When your head and your heart are so invested it is easy to blame yourself, or your partner, when you don’t become pregnant. Doing this will not change the results and may lead to more problems, like adding tension to your relationship. Remind each other that you are in this together and no one is at fault.
5) Know when to see an expert.
There is no magic number for how long it is supposed to take to get pregnant, but a good guide is that most couples who are trying to conceive will become pregnant within a year. For some it can take a lot longer. If you and your partner feel that you have been trying long enough without results, it is a great idea to speak to your doctor about it. They can offer suggestions on what steps to take next and take some of the pressure off you.
Unfortunately fertility is not a given for everyone. If you know of someone who is trying to conceive, even if they just started, remember to show them kindness, love and understanding. Be supportive in any way you can and do not add to the pressure by comparing your own conception journey. Compassion goes a long way.
FT&PD
Suz
[1] [1] http://www.children.gov.on.ca/
Header photo credit to: www.bumrungrad.com
**Disclosure: I am a 2016 Church & Dwight Ambassador and have been compensated for this post, however all opinions are my own.
My heart goes out to couples that have problems concieving. Very nice article.
I feel for the parents that have difficulty conceiving although not being in the situation myself I have a friend who went through it and took a couple of years. eventually though after she stopped “trying” she did get pregnant
Great article. I worry that I’m going to face this in the next few years when I start planning for a baby.
I lost several, which is different but the same. It is so hard either way. It was a fight every step of the way to get my daughter. My one and only. Good article.
I feel so sad for couples that would love to have a child, but can not, and then you watch the news and hear about some young girl giving birth and tossing the baby in the garbage, that just makes me so mad and upset
It’s very sad when a couple have trouble starting their family. I feel really bad for them as I had no trouble at all and knew how I’d have felt had I not been able to conceive. I do know a midwife who had trouble, they tried for 10 yrs. Suddenly she was looking after two aged relatives and no thought was given to getting pregnant and suddenly she did. It came as a complete surprise to them – another example of the stress of trying to get pregnant blocking actually getting pregnant.
I cant even count the amount of girls I know personally or heard of that got pregnant when they “stopped trying”. Our brain is a powerful thing.
I’ll definitely pass this on to my sister!!!!!
It is sad that some people that would be amazing parents can’t, it is heart-breaking, especially when there is so many other people popping out kids left & right then abusing or neglecting them. Seems very wrong!!
I think these are all great tips, but a deeper investigation on the underlying causes of infertility should be done. As you stated, and so many studies have backed this up… Its been on the rise decade after decade.
I especially love the “Live a healthy life” and “Know yourself” ones !:)
My heart goes out to all the couples that have difficulty conceiving. Those are very important tips that you posted.
Heartbreaking for couples who keep trying and are unsuccessful at conceiving but great tips here.