For some women, pregnancy comes as a shock or surprise especially when it’s unplanned but for others, the journey to motherhood can be extremely agonizing mainly due to the complications that may arise in the course of time.
Did you know…?
1 out of 10 healthy couples of reproductive age experience problems with fertility.
Although fertility problems have become very common these days, there are many women who are either ill-informed or unaware of the facts concerning this subject.
With an aim to increase awareness, let’s throw some light on a few lesser known facts about Fertility
- Folic acid is a B-vitamin that plays an important role in building healthy cells and is also known to improve the egg quality. Women of reproductive age should take multivitamins with folic acid in order to prevent neural-tube defects like spina bifida.
- Being overweight or underweight has a significant impact on a woman’s ability to get pregnant. The human body needs at least 22 % body fat to be able to ovulate and reproduce normally. On the other hand, Obesity is known to trigger a hormonal imbalance, which could also delay/prevent pregnancy.
- Smoking increases the risk of blockages in the fallopian tubes and causes significant damage to the eggs. Women who smoke are at least 1.5 times more likely than non-smokers to have fertility problems. This habit when continued during pregnancy puts the baby at risk of developing serious health problems. What’s more…Smoking women are also known to reach menopause earlier than non-smokers. Poor diet, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise and chronic stress are a few additional lifestyle factors that can affect your chances of getting pregnant
- Besides age, there can be multiple factors affecting your fertility. Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, autoimmune disease, celiac disease, PCOS and environmental toxins could play a role in preventing or postponing your pregnancy. If you haven’t conceived after 12 months of trying, make an appointment to see your OB-GYN or a specialist
- Fertility problems can emerge at any age, any time, even if you have conceived in the past. Moreover, it is also important to note that Fertility issues can affect men and women equally. This is a medical condition and a very sensitive matter which should be handled by the couple as two mature individuals without blaming each other
- If you are thinking of postponing your pregnancy, it is best to do a check on your egg reserve in order to gauge if you do or don’t have time to conceive. This can be done via a simple blood test conducted on the 3rd day of your menstrual cycle. While getting the blood test, you can speak to your doctor about your unique health factors, lifestyle choices, and family history indicators, as all these have a considerable impact on your chances of getting pregnant.
Not all fertility problems are severe. Having fertility issues doesn’t mean that you will never be able to conceive a child or experience motherhood. Continued progress in the world of medical science has created new possibilities for couples facing fertility issues to bear a child with proper treatment and therapy. Those with a severe fertility problem can always explore the option of adopting a child.
For more information on issues related to Women’s Reproductive Health and Fertility problems, attend a Fertility Awareness seminar at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, 7th floor, HRD Training Room1 on March 4th 2016 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Entry is free but strictly for COUPLES only. Registration is mandatory. Please call – +91-22-30972793 or SMS ‘KDAH SEM’ to 55454
