Dear Eggperts—I have been trying to get pregnant, but it isn’t working. I feel like I am doing everything I’m supposed to do. We are both very healthy and it seems like it has been easy for everyone else. What is wrong with me?—Broken in Birmingham
Dear Broken—Nothing is wrong with you and you are not alone. Almost 1 in 6 couples have a hard time getting pregnant. Depending on your age, only 10-20% of couples will get pregnant in 1 month of trying to get pregnant. The good news is that almost 9 of 10 of women under age 35 will be pregnant after 12 months. It takes a lot of things to get pregnant and the stars have to line up just right.
- First, women need to ovulate (release eggs). This usually happens half-way between periods every month. After an egg is released, it has 1 day to be fertilized. There are many ways to tell if you are ovulating and when is the right time to have sex. This can be by counting days, checking your temperature, or using over the counter ovulation tests. A doctor may do an ultrasound to check for ovulation.
- Next, the egg has to be fertilized by sperm. Sperm can survive a few days in the uterus and tubes, so it is important to have sex regularly for a few days before and after you ovulate. There also needs to be a sufficient number of sperm and they need to be moving well in order to fertilize an egg. 1 in 3 couples who have trouble getting pregnant have a sperm issue. And some couples have sperm issues and female issues that need to be treated.
- Finally, the tubes have to be open for sperm to get to the egg and for the fertilized egg to get to the uterus. Also, the uterus needs to be able to accept an embryo (fertilized egg).
Your gynecologist or a fertility doctor can evaluate your eggs, your tubes and uterus, and your partner’s sperm to see what is making it hard for you to get pregnant. Sometimes all tests are normal and the cause of fertility problems is “unexplained.” Fortunately, most causes of infertility and unexplained infertility can be treated.
We hope we met your Eggspectations–An Eggspert
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Disclaimer: All of the comments on this page are for basic information only. They are based on the opinions and expertise of the authors and are not meant to provide a substitute for medical care or specific treatment recommendations. Each person is unique and requires individualized diagnosis and treatment plans. Any specific questions should be directed to your personal healthcare provider.