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How can we improve our chances to get pregnant?

Practical information and lifestyle tips to enhance chances of getting pregnant

Timing it right

You probably know that the best time to conceive is during the “fertile window” – that is, during the 6-day interval ending on the day of ovulation.¹ But for some couples, the need to ‘schedule’ intercourse on a particular day or hour adds stress and accurately predicting ovulation can be a challenge. There is a more relaxed approach that may increase your chances of getting pregnant. Simply increase the frequency of intercourse beginning soon after cessation of menses if the female partner is having regular menstrual cycles.

Frequent intercourse (every 1 to 2 days) yields the highest pregnancy rates, but results achieved with less frequent intercourse (two to three times per week) are nearly equivalent.¹

You can determine ovulation by keeping track of your basal body temperature (BBT) throughout your menstrual cycle with an ovulation calendar If you have an average 28 day menstrual cycle, monitor your body temperature about 14 days after you start your period. A rise in body temperature of about half a degree suggests this is your ovulation date.

Learn how to determine ovulation and print an ovulation calendar to keep track of your menstrual cycle.

Lifestyle choices to maximize fertility

Friends and family may have volunteered personal insights into how to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Some lifestyle tips deserve scepticism. But a surprising amount of common-sense advice rings true. While no single lifestyle change can increase fertility and deliver success, simple suggestions can produce dramatic results.

Review your diet and discover how relaxation techniques, a new fitness program and changes to your bedroom routine may help.

There’s no hard evidence that relaxation leads to conception. However learning how to relax can help you cope with any stress and anxiety you may feel about fertility. It will help you gain a healthy perspective and reduce the tension in your life.

Your fertility history

Infertility (or sub-fertility) is commonly defined as the inability of a couple to achieve a successful pregnancy conception after 12 months or more of regular unprotected intercourse.²

Earlier evaluation and treatment may be justified based on medical history and physical findings and is warranted after 6 months for women over 35 years of age.² It’s important that your doctor knows about your medical history to assess whether earlier intervention is necessary.

Find out more about medical conditions that affect fertility.

There are just a handful of days each month when a couple can achieve pregnancy. A healthy 30-year-old woman has about a 20% chance in a given month to get pregnant. This probability declines with age.³

^{1. Optimizing Natural Fertility. Fertil Steril 2008;90:S1-6. 2. Definitions of fertility and recurrent pregnancy loss. Fertil Steril 2008;90:S60. 3. Age and Fertility. A Guide for Patients. ASRM 2003;http://www.asrm.org/Patients/patientbooklets/agefertility.pdf}

Obstetrician/Gynaecologist

A doctor who delivers babies and specialises in the treatment of female reproductive organs.

Oestrogen

A hormone that stimulates secondary female sexual characteristics and controls the course of the menstrual cycle. Oestrogen is also produced in low quantities in males.

Oligospermia

A condition when a sperm sample contains less than 20 million spermatozoa per ejaculate. Many medical conditions reduce sperm concentration. The effects may be temporary or permanent. See also Azoospermia.

Outpatient

A Person undergoing a clinical procedure that does not require admission to hospital.

Ovarian failure

The failure of the ovary to respond to hormonal stimulation from the pituitary gland because of damage to or malformation of the ovary, or a chronic disease such as autoimmune disease or ageing process.

Ovarian follicle

The structure in which eggs are nurtured to maturation. Although in general only one egg is released at a time, somewhere between 10 and 20 follicles begin the process of maturation monthly. The excess ovarian follicles are reabsorbed before ovulation occurs.

Ovulation

The release of the matured egg or ovum from the ovarian follicle.

Ovum

A matured egg.

Ovulation Induction (OI)

Medical treatment carried out to initiate ovulation.

Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome

A condition characterised by enlargement of the ovaries, fluid-retention and weight gain. May occur when the ovaries are over-stimulated during assisted reproduction.

Ovaries, Ovary

Almond-sized organ(s) located on either side of the uterus, which produce and release mature egg cells and the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

Manual palpation

A physical examination for any genital abnormalities or any other physical signs that might be associated with conception difficulties.

Myoma

A benign tumour in the uterus consisting of muscle tissue. Myomas are often the cause of persistent infertility or miscarriage.

Micromanipulation

A variety of techniques performed in a laboratory with microscopic guidance, such as Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).

Menopause

Typically diagnosed 12 months after a woman’s last menstrual cycle. Natural menopause occurs when the ovaries begin decreasing their production of the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone and marks the end of a woman’s fertility. See premature menopause.

Menstruation or menses

Shedding of the uterine lining by bleeding. In the absence of pregnancy, this normally occurs about once every 28 days.

Miscarriage

Spontaneous loss of a viable embryo or foetus from the uterus.

Motility

The ability of sperm to swim or move. Poor motility means sperm have less chance reaching and fertilizing the egg.

Multiple pregnancy

A pregnancy with two or more foetuses.

Mumps

A viral disease of the parotid (salivary) glands. Contraction of the virus after puberty may damage sperm-producing cells in the testicles. In most cases, only one testicle is affected. Some men could suffer permanent sterility.

Cervical mucus

A natural lubricant produced by the female body that aids the transportation of sperm and helps protect against infection.

Cervix

The cervix or neck of the uterus is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina.

Chlamydia

A sexually-transmitted infection, which may be asymptomatic or cause genital inflammation and discharge, pelvic pain and fever. Untreated, chlamydia can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and fertility problems.

Chromosomes

Structures found in the nucleus of cells that contain genes and carry heredity information, such as eye colour, blood type and vulnerability to disease. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. One set of 23 chromosomes is inherited from the biological mother via her egg and the other from the biological father, via his sperm. Each sperm cell contains either male or female sex chromosomes. As such, it determines the gender of the foetus. Genetic abnormalities occur when an individual is born missing a chromosome or has more copies of a chromosomal pair.

Clomiphene citrate

A prescription drug used to bring on ovulation. It comes as a tablet and is often used as an initial treatment for women with ovulation problems. Clomiphene citrate induces ovulation in 80% of women who have trouble ovulating on their own.

Conception

The moment of fertilization when the sperm meets and penetrates the egg.

Congenital abnormalities

Physical abnormalities present at birth.

Corpus luteum

A hormone-secreting mass within the ovary that forms from the remains of a follicle each time an egg is released. The hormones it produces prepare the uterus for embryo implantation. If pregnancy does not occur, the mass is shed during menstruation.

Cryopreservation

A technique used to store human tissue at very low temperatures. Embryos that are not used in an ART cycle may be preserved in this way for future use. Also known as “Freezing”.

Cryptorchidism

A condition usually detected at birth or childhood whereby the testicles fail to descend. When a male foetus develops in the uterus, his testicles normally form inside his abdomen and descend into the scrotum shortly before birth. Undescended testicles usually descend themselves by the sixth month of life, but are unlikely to descend after this period of their own accord.