Top 5 questions asked of our Fertility GP

If you are thinking of taking the first step in seeking help to overcome fertility issues, you may be feeling alone, confused and even overwhelmed. Rest assured, you’re not alone and we can help you with answers and a plan. With one in six couples struggling with fertility, it should come as no surprise that how you are feeling has been felt before. Similarly, the questions you have, which you feel are too hard to ask, or which you are embarrassed to ask, are ones I hear all the time as a Fertility GP. Here’s my top five: 

1. Is there anything I need to do before getting pregnant?

It is always sensible to have a general health check before trying to conceive to ensure you are fit and healthy and carry no unknown risks for pregnancy or a baby. Pregnancy is a huge life and body changing event; it always pays to be in good shape before you take the plunge!

2. Do I need to change my lifestyle to get pregnant?

This depends on your lifestyle! We know that weight, exercise, smoking, alcohol and stress all play a part in fertility. In addition, there are supplements and lifestyle changes you can make to further improve your chances of having a healthy baby. Everything in moderation, including moderation, I say!

3. How long does it usually take to get pregnant?

There is no fixed time, but the average healthy couple have a one in five chance of conceiving per cycle. Age is the major factor which impacts on these odds but lifestyle and medical issues can have an effect too.

4. How do I know if my partner and I are fertile?

This is a complex question with a simple answer – you can’t know for sure until you try! There are, however, a number of tests that can be done in the meantime to rule out any obvious reversible causes of subfertility. Many of these causes have no symptoms so it is always worth getting checked out sooner rather than later to try to beat that ever ticking biological clock!

5. How much sex should we be having?

A healthy, pressure-free sex life has many advantages to general health and well-being, however, if you are trying to conceive it’s not so much about the amount of intercourse as the timing of the intercourse. It is important to figure out when in your cycle you are most fertile (ovulation period) and time sex accordingly. Sex on alternate days during the ovulation period is our usual recommendation. Work out when by using our ovulation calculator.
 
Undoubtedly you will have a few questions which are not listed above. If you do and would like answers, I would encourage you to come and visit me, or to attend a Genea information evening or to go and ask your own GP. Because, without answers you will just be guessing, and this could be adding to the time it takes you to achieve your dreams of a healthy family. 
 
Disclaimer: Please note that this is a Genea Group blog and as such information may not be relevant for all clinics. We advise that you consult clinics directly for further information.