Let me get these 13 fertility myths exposed and deleted – so you can get on with having your baby!
1. Fertility falls off a cliff when you hit 35
Fertility, like great cheekbones, runs in families – so find out when your mama went through her menopause! Fertility declines in the years leading up to menopause so you’ll get an idea of your prospects. Bear in mind that it only takes one egg (and one sperm) to make a baby and older women may even have better quality eggs then young women.
2. Men are fertile til they’re 90
Men’s sperm counts may decline a bit more slowly over time than women’s eggs. From age 35 male fertility is on a slippery slope. DNA fragmentation happens in the sperm of older men, leading to infertility, and causing miscarriage Studies point to increased risk of abnormalities, including autism and schizophrenia, in children born to men who are over 40. If a man has smoked, is inclined to stress or overweight sperm are at greater risk of damage that affects fertility.
3. If he’s already a dad it’s my fault
Fertility is a process, not a place. Like Ryanair flight schedules, it’s subject to change. Lifestyle affects male fertility on a daily basis. Diet, sleep, exercise, smoking, alcohol intake, work stress and financial pressures all impact men’s fertility quotient.
4. IVF always works
Currently, IVF offers around a 23% odds of conception per cycle. That’s a scant 2% more chance of pregnancy per cycle as a healthy couple trying to conceive naturally in a month. In real terms that’s a 77% failure rate per cycle. And remember, there are 13 natural cycles to work with each year!
5. If he’s big and frisky – he’s fertile!
He may be as sexy as hell, but you can’t even guess at his fertility without a semen analysis, dna fragmentation test and testicular scan. That reveals the bigger picture of how likely sperm are to actually fertilise an egg – quantity, quality, shape and dna are the vital statistics involved for blokes. A scan reveals patency of the pipes and any swllwn veins causing overheating and damage to fragile sperm.
6. Sex around the clock boosts fertility
Free-range sex is great. There is a slight risk of diluting sperm counts by having too much sex. Let’s be clear about this. We’re talking something like 4 times a day 4-5 days a week. Sex for conception is recommended every other day when you’re trying to conceive. However daily sex, if you can manage it, for the ‘fertile window, which is from 6 days before ovulation.
7. I’m immune to post-natal depression cos it took me ages to get pregnant.
Sadly, new mothers who have suffered infertility or delay in getting pregnant, are more at risk of suffering post-natal depression or anxiety. This may be related to greater risk s to mom and baby during pregnancy, and increased likelihood of pre-term birth, and low birth weight babies, and c-section birth.
8. My termination of pregnancy is causing my infertility
A termination of pregnancy is not in itself a cause of infertility. However, if you had an infection afterwards, leading to adhesions it could be a cause affect fertility. If my clients have any issues following termination for fatal fetal abnormality or any other reason, I help hem with releasing any fears or guilt.
9. Mum had 5 kids so I can, too.
That’s great! But bear in mind the differences between you and your mother. Consider your age, weight, diet, work, exercise and stress as you plan to have a baby. And remember, it takes two to make a baby, so your man is 50% of the fertility equation.
10. You need sex on the day you ovulate to get pregnant
The egg is only viable within a 12-hour window. Sperm live for up to 5 days in the Fallopian tubes where they are modified for easier fertilisation. That’s why I recommend my clients to have sex at least every other day well leading up to ovulation. Menstrual cycles vary in length from 25-34 days so ovulation isn’t a constant fixed day for every woman. Find out and track your ovulation so you can maximise your chances of conception.
11. If we’re not pregnant within a year we need IVF
A year is a long time to wait when you’re ready for a baby. So why not have a fertility NCT with a medical fertility doctor to give you the go-ahead, or to sort out any fertility glitches early on? Women over 35 are recommended seek help after 6 months of trying to conceive. It makes sense for anyone who has ready for a baby and has any concerns to get checked out sooner rather than later.
12. Going abroad for IVF is risky
Heading to recommended clinics abroad allows you achieve great results at a small fraction of the cost at home. Consults are on Skype with blood tests and scans done here. Worth researching.
13. Keeping my legs in the air after sex will help me conceive
Ah no, really, it doesn’t! Sperm are great li’l swimmers and get where they’re going within 5 minutes – all by themselves! So just chill and enjoy that post-coital glow… Be sure to pee after sex and use a shower or bidet to prevent any cystitis or infections. This is so important
