Getting pregnant is exciting news for any woman who has been trying to conceive. Unfortunately, the process can be lengthy and arduous.
If you are looking for a way to get pregnant naturally without using fertility treatments or drugs, there are many things that you can do before consulting with your doctor about infertility treatment options.
This step by step guide will help couples prepare their bodies to conceive in order to increase their chances of success and avoid costly fertility treatments.
This article covers
- How long it takes most women to become pregnant on average
- The factors that affect how long it takes a couple to conceive and what they can do about them (ex: timing intercourse during ovulation) i.e.: having physical relation at the right time during your cycle increases your chances of getting pregnant
- Non-conventional ways to prepare for pregnancy (ex: vegan diets, yoga) that can help couples conceive naturally Male factor infertility is often overlooked, yet it accounts for half of all cases of infertility. A semen analysis may be requested by your doctor.
Those struggling with fertility should consider an holistic approach to conceiving before seeking out more invasive treatments like fertility medications or artificial insemination .
Using alternative therapies can also make you less likely to experience negative side effects from these methods.
The statistics regarding infertility are disheartening. In a given month, around 7% of women 15 – 44 years old have difficulty becoming pregnant staying pregnant.
Those who have been diagnosed with infertility have a hard time dealing with the associated feeling of shame. The majority of those affected by infertility are women, and may feel like they’ve lost their femininity or that something is wrong with them.
Fortunately, infertility affects not only those who are trying to conceive but their partners as well. Males involved in couples struggling with infertility may feel like they’re unable to provide for their family and protect them from harm.
Sometimes males experiencing fertility issues will blame themselves and think that if they could just perform better or last longer during intercourse, their partner would become pregnant.
They should know it takes two to tango and pregnancy isn’t always a result of one physical relation performance.
Couples should remember that there is no magic formula or guaranteed way to get pregnant quickly naturally . Those who have been diagnosed with infertility should understand that the process may take time and that everyone’s body is different.
Be patient, healthy habits can improve your chances of becoming pregnant as can having a positive outlook.
How Long Does It Take To Get Pregnant On Average?
Most couples are able to conceive after 1 year of having regular unprotected intercourse .
When trying to conceive, it’s important to remember that each woman is different and may have a different timeframe in which she can expect to become pregnant.
The average time frame for becoming pregnant ranges from 6 months to 2 years however many women will get pregnant within the first few months. It all depends on how healthy you are, your age, if there are any medical conditions involved etc.
If you’re over 35 , your chances of getting pregnant naturally drop by 4% every year (and this number increases with age).
Female factor infertility such as irregular periods or ovulation , endometriosis , PCOS , uterine fibroids or polyps , uterine scarring, cervical stenosis , low sperm count (oligospermia), ejaculatory dysfunction , retrograde ejaculation, vaginal infections or STD like chlamydia and gonorrhea can all contribute to the amount of time it takes to get pregnant.
Due to these factors couples will often times give up on trying after 6-12 months of trying without success since they haven’t fallen pregnant yet. If you’re over 35 this timeline is even shorter (3-6 months).
Infertility specialists are in high demand today with many struggling to find an OB/GYN who specializes in fertility treatment .
When treating fertility issues in women there are three main methods that may be recommended by your doctor: Clomid , IUI (artificial insemination) or IVF (in vitro fertilization).
If you’re under 35 and experiencing infertility problems, your doctor may recommend Clomid, the most commonly used fertility drug.
For those who are unable to conceive after 2-3 months of taking this medicine, artificial insemination is often the next step. With this method a health professional will insert the sperm directly into the uterus during ovulation.
This process can be done at home or at a clinic depending on where you live however it’s usually performed by an OB/GYN . Artificial insemination is also known as intrauterine insemination (IUI) .
Intrauterine inseminations are not just for couples who are struggling to conceive without assistance however. Women who have conditions which inhibit normal conception may be prescribed this treatment. It’s also recommended for same-sex couples and single women who want to become pregnant on their own.
If you’re over 35, your fertility specialist will most likely recommend IVF (in vitro fertilization) before the other methods. This method is often used in cases where there are severe male infertility issues or when multiple procedures have not been successful.
The process involves removing an egg from the ovaries, fertilizing it with sperm in a laboratory and implanting it back into the uterus of the female or into a surrogate . Although it seems like something out of science fiction, IVF has helped thousands of couples successfully start families of their own.
Since each couple is different, one treatment may not be enough. For women who are unable to conceive after multiple rounds of Clomid or IUI , IVF may be the only option left available. The good news however, is that more than 70% of couples who undergo IVF will eventually have a successful pregnancy .
Here’s what you can expect if your doctor suggests this treatment:
Ovarian stimulation
This process involves taking medication to stimulate egg production. You’ll receive injections which contain fertility drugs including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).
Egg retrieval
Once the eggs are mature you’ll return to the clinic for an ultrasound and egg retrieval procedure. A needle is into the ovary through the vaginal wall to remove the eggs.
Sperm retrieval
Your doctor may also use this time to collect sperm samples for IUI or IVF. A long fine needle is inserted into your rectum or through your vagina into your uterus to extract the sample.
Fertilization of eggs
Egg fertilization takes place in a laboratory where the embryologist will inject single sperm cells (ICSI) with a microscopic needle directly into each egg .
Embryo transfer
Once the embryos are ready they’ll be inserted back into your uterus between 6-10 days after egg retrieval . You can expect an ultrasound approximately 10 days after embryo transfer to see if you’re pregnant. The entire process takes about two weeks from start to finish.
Some women prefer not go through the process of ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval if they already have enough embryos frozen . In this case, a woman will be prescribed fertility drugs to increase her chances of becoming pregnant with IVF using previously frozen embryos.
This procedure is known as FET (frozen embryo transfer) and has about a 60% success rate for those under 35 years old
IVF can be quite expensive , with costs ranging from $10,000-15,000 per cycle . Most insurance companies only cover the cost of IVF in cases where there are severe male infertility issues or when multiple procedures have been unsuccessful.
The good news however is that some IVF centers offer financing options including CareCredit which allows patients to pay for the treatment over several months.
*Brand names of fertility medications are not mentioned due to their similarity and because they may change over time.
Artificial insemination procedures are recommended for women who have conditions which inhibit normal conception, same-sex couples or single women who want to become pregnant on their own.
For women unable to conceive after multiple rounds of Clomid or IUI, IVF is usually the only option left available. The entire process takes about two weeks from start to finish, costs $10,000-$15,000 per cycle and has about a 65% success rate .
If previously frozen embryos are used with FET , there’s a 60% chance these pregnancies will be successful as well .
IUI (intrauterine insemination) is the process of placing sperm directly into your uterus with a special catheter during ovulation.
For women who have difficulty producing healthy eggs or carrying a pregnancy to term, IUI may be recommended as first line treatment for getting pregnant since it’s less expensive and has fewer side effects than Clomid .
Here are some frequently asked questions about IUIs:
How does artificial insemination work?
Sperm are placed into the uterus near the time of ovulation using a fine, flexible tube called catheter. The semen sample can come from your partner or donor.
When is the best timing for an IUI?
Most doctors will schedule an IUI after you’ve been on Clomid for five days and have at least two mature follicles.
How many IUIs must I do?
Typically, around three to six IUIs are needed to achieve pregnancy but it depends on the diagnosis.
Does artificial insemination really work?
Unfortunately, success rates vary from 14%-30%. IVF is a better option if you’ve already failed multiple IUIs unsuccessfully since studies show a 25% success rate using frozen embryos instead of fresh .
Can I use my husband’s sperm?
You can choose to use your partner’s sperm or a donor’s. If you’re using your partner’s sperm, there are certain conditions that must be met . You may also consider asking close relatives or friends if they’d donate their sperm for free.
How much does artificial insemination cost?
IVF costs range from $10,000-15,000 per cycle while IUIs average $1,500-$3,000 each depending on the complexity of the procedure and how many IUIs needed to achieve pregnancy. If donor sperm is used instead of your spouse’s , it’ll cost less than $1,000 per cycle .
Are risks involved with artificial insemination?
Possible risks could include infection, where the IUI needle enters the vagina or uterine perforation. Minor discomfort may occur after IUIs but it should subside within a few hours .
IUI success stories show that about one-third of all women will conceive by this method , however chances are lower if you’re 35 years old plus . Studies also suggest that donor sperm has slightly lower success rates than using your spouse’s sperm so consider other options if available.
Also, keep in mind that IUI procedures do not guarantee pregnancy so don’t be discouraged if these attempts fail to produce results.
Study shows artificial insemination success rates vary greatly depending on diagnosis Despite advances in technology and an abundance of fertility treatments now available, many couples still have a difficult time getting pregnant.
This is because the science of infertility varies from person to person and isn’t always easily treated so don’t get discouraged if you haven’t conceived after several attempts. IUI success rates vary widely depending on your diagnosis, but recent studies show that frozen embryo transfers offer better results than IUIs .
The use of donor sperm also lowers chances for pregnancy compared to using your spouse’s or partner’s sperm. Also, keep in mind that even with high-tech procedures such as IVF , over 60% of pregnancies fail within the first year .
IUI success rates vary widely depending on your diagnosis, but recent studies show that frozen embryo transfers offer better results than IUIs.
The use of donor sperm also lowers chances for pregnancy compared to using your spouse’s or partner’s sperm. Also, keep in mind that even with high-tech procedures such as IVF , over 60% of pregnancies fail within the first year .
IUI success stories show that about one-third of all women will conceive by this method , however chances are lower if you’re 35 years old plus. Studies also suggest that donor sperm has slightly lower success rates than using your spouse’s sperm so consider other options if available.
Also, keep in mind that IUI procedures do not guarantee pregnancy so don’t be discouraged if these attempts fail to produce results.
How do I get started with artificial insemination?
Schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss treatment options, possible diagnoses and the number of IUIs required to achieve pregnancy. Your doctor will recommend treatments based on your individual diagnosis so be sure to meet with him or her for proper consultation.
Artificial insemination is a fertility treatment option available for men and women dealing with infertility due to ovulation disorders , cervical factors, endometriosis, male factor issues or unexplained infertility. Although treatment varies depending on your diagnoses, artificial insemination (AI) remains the simplest procedure since it involves placing sperm directly into the uterus near the time of ovulation.
If you’re considering AI as part of your fertility plan, review these frequently asked questions to learn more about how it works, risks involved and success rates .
How does artificial insemination work?
Artificial insemination involves placing sperm inside the uterus (womb) near the time of ovulation. This allows for timing issues to be resolved as well as issues related to cervical mucus or other factors that prevent fertilization.
Women who struggle achieving pregnancy through sexual intercourse due to male factor infertility may benefit from this fertility treatment option since it involves direct deposit of sperm into the uterus.
During this procedure, sperm is inserted within two days prior to ovulation or the day ovulation begins by using an ultrasound machine for guidance.
How many IUIs are needed before I pregnant?
There’s no specific number when it comes to IUIs since they’re needed when conception doesn’t occur during the first few months of trying. About one-third of all women will conceive by this method , however chances are lower if you’re 35 years old plus.
Also, keep in mind that IUI procedures do not guarantee pregnancy so don’t be discouraged if these attempts fail to produce results.
Who is a candidate for artificial insemination and how is it performed?
Artificial insemination may be recommended as part of your fertility treatment plan if you’re diagnosed with ovulation disorders or cervical issues such as an abnormally short cervix, absent or hostile cervical mucus or endometriosis .
If you’re unable to achieve pregnancy through sexual intercourse due to male factor infertility , you may also benefit from IUI treatments.
To perform the procedure, your doctor will recommend that you follow a specific schedule throughout your menstrual cycle including daily shots or patches to help promote ovulation at the right time.
About three days before ovulation is expected, sperm will be inserted into your uterus by placing it directly inside using a thin, flexible tube. This procedure takes about five minutes and should only take place during certain windows within your menstrual cycle .
Why use donor sperm?
If you’re unable to achieve pregnancy due to female infertility issues , your doctor may suggest using donor sperm if available.
Although this fertility treatment option involves using another individual’s sperm, it can still be an effective method for achieving pregnancy provided that you select the right donor.
How is donor sperm selected?
Before choosing to use donated sperm, you’ll need to decide on whether you want to use fresh or frozen sperm. If choosing this method, be sure that your partner’s semen analysis results meet with your doctor’s approval and that he understands his role before undergoing treatment.
Once these steps are taken into consideration, you can then review the profiles of several donors available online .
Ending paragraph
You can also try these steps to increase your chances of getting pregnant without fertility treatments.
If you’re not sure about any step in the process, consult with your doctor for more information before making changes to how you live and eat. Which one of these steps do you think is most helpful in order to get pregnant naturally?
