Tips for Solving Fertility Problems Naturally

What You Need to Know About Trying to Conceive

Nov 14, 2009

Many couples struggle to conceive a child in their late 30s and 40s. Here's the scoop on what's going on with your body, and what you can do to get pregnant.

We’ve all heard the horror stories of women unable to get pregnant when they’ve waited until their late 30s or early 40s to get started. Because of all the publicity this problem has generated, a “more mature” couple may panic if they aren’t pregnant within six months after starting to try. If this is your case, don’t press the panic button just yet. Even younger couples often need six months to a year of trying before they finally conceive. Becoming pregnant without medical intervention is preferable for many reasons, so it’s worthwhile for the two of you to relax.

Conception and the Mature Mom

Beginning in your early 30s, your ability to conceive starts to decline. The lifetime’s worth of eggs you were born with (as many as two million), is aging along with the rest of your body. It’s not only the quantity but the quality of the eggs that declines with age. Older eggs are more difficult to fertilize, don’t implant as well, and have a higher risk of being miscarried. But don’t lose hope. As we all know, medical technology in this area has advanced by leaps and bounds. If it turns out you need it, and you’re willing to go the medical route, a host of alternatives are available to you.

If many months go by and you still haven’t missed a period, discuss your situation with your doctor. Some simple blood tests will tell if a hormone imbalance is making it hard for you and your husband to conceive. Your doctor may suggest tests to measure your levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol. Elevated levels of these hormones indicate that your ovaries are functioning poorly.

Other tests, including ultrasound and dye studies, can check the health of your uterus and determine whether one of your fallopian tubes is blocked. Your doctor also might advise that your husband’s semen be analyzed.

If the tests show that you’re having problems with ovulation, your doctor may suggest hormone pills or more aggressive measures, such as daily injections of fertility drugs. You also might need to have the hormone tests repeated during two or three menstrual cycles to get an accurate measurement.

Preparing Your Body for Conception

A great thing to do now is to exercise for relaxation. If you’re trying to conceive and having difficulty, one of your biggest enemies is stress. Try yoga stretches and deep breathing. If either of you smokes, the time to quit is now. Smoking interferes with fertility, and can cause your eggs to age prematurely. This means that a 30-year-old smoker has the eggs of a 45-year-old, making conception difficult. Smoking while pregnant increases your risk of miscarriage, and often causes babies to be born with low birth weight, putting them at risk for all kinds of complications.

Another battle you may need to fight is with your weight. Ideally, you should be within a healthy weight range for your height when you get pregnant. But before you rush out and buy the latest crash diet plan, consider this – rapid weight loss can interfere with your menstrual cycle and normal ovulation. Change is good, but not radical change. Take your diet seriously and eliminate the excesses that are keeping the weight on. Moderate exercise like swimming, walking, and gentle aerobics can also help you in the battle of the belly.

The copyright of the article Tips for Solving Fertility Problems Naturally in Infertility is owned by Lucy Tashman. Permission to republish Tips for Solving Fertility Problems Naturally in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.