Fertility

It's often not until a woman can't get pregnant that she begins to wonder if she or her partner has a reproductive health issue which will make it difficult to conceive. Many couples try to prevent pregnancy and expect that when they want it to happen, it will occur naturally. Fertility doesn't always run smoothly, so you may need to call on the services of a New Zealand fertility expert. Before you head to a fertility clinic, though, here are the basics on fertility:

What is infertility?
An individual or couple is considered infertile if they have failed to conceive after a prolonged period of time (usually defined as one year of actively trying to fall pregnant). Fertility requires healthy, strong eggs and sperm. For some, infertility may be a man's lack of sperm or the blockage of a woman's fallopian tubes, but even these seemingly impossible situations can usually be treated. Problems surrounding fertility are evenly distributed between men and women.

What causes infertility?
Infertility has a myriad of causes, both environmental and genetic, so there is no single cause which can be applied to all cases of infertility. Usually the inability to conceive is brought about in women by problems with ovulation, the pelvic area, the cervix or the uterus. In men, low sperm counts, abnormal sperm and low sperm motility are usually to blame. Often, there is no evidence of a physical problem and the infertility remains unexplained.

What New Zealand fertility treatments are available?
Treatments can be costly, so it's beneficial to consider overall health in the quest for pregnancy success before resorting to expensive medical treatments.

1. Be healthy: a well-balanced diet and regular exercise play an important role in conception, and can be easily put in place to improve your chances of pregnancy. Eating well, being active, not smoking, and reducing your alcohol intake, will all help balance hormone levels in your body and nourish your reproductive system. Take a prenatal supplement which includes a dose of folic acid. Make sure levels of vitamin C, calcium, vitamin D and zinc are sufficient, in both yourself and your partner.

2. Monitor your fertility: learn when your body is at its most fertile. Women with a regular, 28-day menstrual cycle can calculate when ovulation will occur. This is when your egg is released and is ready to be fertilized; it usually occurs 14 days after your period (ie. 14 days before your next period). Having sex in the days around the time you are ovulating will increase your chances of conceiving. If your period is irregular, you can invest in an ovulation predictor kit to detect the rise in hormones which happens just prior to ovulation. Create a fertility chart of your own, then supplement this with an ovulation thermometer or fertility monitor if you wish.

3. Take tests: after some length of time trying to conceive, it's wise to take some simple tests to check that your ovulation is regular and that your partner is producing quality sperm. A serious problem can quickly and easily be identified by these tests. Once a woman is over the age of 35, her chances of conceiving begin to fall significantly, so those trying for a child at this age should seek help earlier rather than later.

4. Get herbal help: there are many supplements available from New Zealand health shops and herbal dispensaries which are designed to promote fertility. If you do try this method of infertility treatment, make sure the herbal blend is high quality and scientifically validated. Ask a health professional for his or her recommendation. Ingredients such as Chasteberry have been shown to balance hormones and increase frequency of ovulation.

5. Acupuncture: this is a safe alternative form of treatment which has been known to improve fertility. Needles are (painlessly) inserted into the eyebrows, earlobes, eyelids and fingertips. Ensure that your New Zealand acupuncture practitioner is professionally qualified.

6. In vitro fertilization: IVF is a fertility technique in which ovulation is artificially induced by hormone treatments, before eggs are removed from a woman's ovaries and fertilized outside the womb. This treatment can be costly and does not guarantee success.

No matter what the fertility diagnosis or your chosen fertility treatment, the struggle to conceive can take its toll on both you and your partner. The pressure to produce a family can come from your own parents or family members, your friends who have children of their own, and your own desire to have a baby. Whatever happens, psychologists agree that couples struggling with infertility need to view the issue as something to be overcome together. Try to:

• Acknowledge that you have a problem (and allow yourself to feel some anger, sadness, loss or stress)
• Avoid blaming yourselves (don't get trapped in negative thought patterns that will affect all areas of your life)
• Work as a team (you and your partner should help each other throughout this time and be considerate of the other's feelings)
• Educate yourself (ask questions when visiting your doctor, read books, surf the Net, talk to close friends and family about their experiences)
• Set limits (deciding whether you will turn to IVF or adoption, if all else fails, will make you feel more in control of your situation)
• Balance your realism with optimism (you need to be optimistic, but at the same time realise that you may not be able to make it happen)
• Stay active with other interests (don't let a fertility problem take over your life)

With all the good intentions and sustained effort in the world, it's sometimes impossible for a couple to start a family. In cases of infertility that cannot be overcome, there are other choices– adopting a child, acquiring an adorable pet to dote on, or spending time with the children of friends and family members. Whatever happens, make sure your life is as rich and fulfilling as possible in all other ways.

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Family images from Flickr: Baby Boots, Kids Classroom and Hands.