Although many couples believe that becoming pregnant is easy, as many as 1 in 7 women experience difficulty in conceiving or becoming pregnant.
If you’ve been trying to start a family without success, simple lifestyle changes may increase your chance of conception and help to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
However there some factors that can prevent pregnancy that you cannot change. These include your age, problems with ovulation, damaged fallopian tubes or sperm quality.
What can I do to help myself to conceive?
It can be important to understand that there are a number of phases in the menstrual cycle. Learning to identify when you are at your most fertile as well as when you are less fertile, therefore, less likely to fall pregnant will help you to increase the chances of conception.
There are also a number of lifestyle factors that may enhance your chances of conception. These include:
- Eating healthily
- Watching your weight
- Drink wisely
- Stop smoking
- Be active
- Managing stress
What help is available for infertility?
Some women get pregnant very quickly but, for others, it can take longer. You should see your GP if you have not managed to have a baby after one year of trying. If you are a woman over the age of 36, or you are aware that you may have fertility problems, then you should see your GP sooner. The GP may be able to check for common causes and suggest treatments that could help. If fertility problems are diagnosed, there are three main types of fertility treatment:
- medicines to assist fertility
- surgical procedures
- assisted conception
The availability of NHS treatment for fertility varies across the UK. Your GP will be able to advise you about your eligibility for treatment. If your GP refers you to a specialist for further tests, the NHS will pay for this. All patients have the right to be referred to an NHS clinic for the first investigation.
In order to speed up fertility treatment, once it is clear that this is appropriate, you may wish to consider paying for this privately. If you decide to opt for private treatment choose a private clinic carefully. Find out what clinics are available, the treatments they offer, their treatment success rates, the length of the waiting list, and the costs. You can ask your GP for advice and should make sure that you choose a clinic that is licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
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