FERTILITY FAQs
The journey to becoming parents is surely beautiful and blissful. However, it can also be challenging for many individuals or couples. This is why it is common to have many questions and concerns during your path to pregnancy. Here, we have compiled the common questions about fertility and treatments for infertility. We hope to guide you on your journey to parenthood while answering these common fertility questions.
We recommend limiting the intake of caffeine while you are pregnant. Consuming high levels of caffeine has been linked with increased risks of different pregnancy issues. So, if you are pregnant or going through pregnancy treatment, limit the intake to 200 mg of caffeine per day. (In general, an 8 oz. cup of coffee includes 90.7 mg of caffeine).
Yes, swimming in general is considered safe while you are on infertility treatment. However, it is ideal to consult your doctor first. Some patients may encounter swimming to be stressful or uncomfortable during this particular time. So, listen to your body and talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
A good count for an IUI sperm sample may vary depending on numerous factors including the medical history of an individual or couple and the type of fertility issue identified. In general, a 10 to 20 million motile sperm count is considered a good count for a sperm sample.
Infertility is identified as the inability to get pregnant after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. The main symptom is not being able to conceive.
Be mindful, not all fertility issues may show noticeable symptoms. For this reason, we encourage you to consult with the fertility expert if you have any concerns regarding fertility.
If you are a woman under the age of 35, it is recommended to try to conceive for a year before approaching a medical consultant. However, if you are over 35 years old, we recommend that you approach a medical consultant after trying to conceive for 6 months.
Also, if you identify any symptoms linked with infertility, we advise you to consult fertility specialists as soon as possible.
Yes, in most cases, couples can have intercourse while they are going through IVF treatment. However, the experts may recommend avoiding intercourse during some of the phases of the treatment cycle. For instance, it is not recommended to abstain from intercourse around the time of egg retrieval or embryo transfer. This is to avoid the risk of multiple gestation pregnancies that may result from concurrent natural conception.
Several factors can influence the success rate of the treatment for infertility. Those factors include the age of the patient, the cause of the infertility issue, types of treatment being used, and sperm and egg quality. In addition, your lifestyle habits and medical history also play a role during the treatment of infertility. This is why it becomes very crucial that you discuss these factors with your doctor while you go through infertility treatment.
In around 10% to 15% of the patients, the reasons for infertility remain unidentified even after detailed evaluation and diagnostic tests. In these types of cases where the exact reason for infertility is not identified, the couples are given a diagnosis of - “unexplained infertility”. Though these types of cases can be confusing and challenging, it doesn't always mean that treatment options are not available. At Shishu Fertility Clinic, our experts can discuss the most suitable treatment options after carefully analyzing the evaluations and tests. The possible treatment options may include IUI, IVF, or other treatment options.
Your lifestyle habits also affect your fertility health. So, positive lifestyle changes can improve your fertility. Some of the helpful lifestyle habits include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, cutting on alcohol and caffeine, and avoiding tobacco. Also, following a healthy balanced diet can improve your fertility. Include plenty of green vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in your daily eating routine.
However, only lifestyle changes may not be adequate if you are struggling with infertility issues. You may need medical treatment in many cases. So, consult with infertility specialists if you are struggling with infertility.
In general, the overall health risk for children born through infertility treatments is generally low. However, the conflicting report suggests that there may be a slight increase in the risks of complications including preterm birth, low weight in baby, and certain birth. These risks are slightly higher in particular types of treatments such as IVF. Therefore, it is crucial that you discuss the risks and any other concerns with the specialists and experts before deciding on the treatment.
When fallopian tubes are blocked, the sperm may not be able to fertilize the eggs which makes it difficult to get pregnant. In many cases, the blockage in fallopian tubes can be cleared through surgical and non-surgical cases. After clearing the fallopian tubes, it is possible to conceive.
In the case when the fallopian tubes cannot be repaired, pregnancy can still be achieved. There are various treatments available to conceive in such cases. The available treatment options include medications for fertility, IVF, or IUI.
When you go to see specialists or doctors when you experience infertility issues, the specialists will conduct different physical examinations and tests. The different types of tests may include blood tests, urine tests, and semen analyses. You may also require to go through ultrasounds and HSG (Hysterosalpingogram) to find if there is any blockage in your fallopian tubes.