9 Factors That Might Be Standing In Your Way To Become Pregnant

 

Summary: Becoming pregnant is far from being as easy as many couples assume it to be. Medical problems might crop up too, affecting your ability to bear a baby. Based on the cases I have handled, the phenomenon of ‘not being able to become pregnant’ can be caused by any of the factors discussed below.

 

As a trained gynaecologist, it amazes me to see the various misconceptions about pregnancy that practically all my patients have. One of the most common refrains among many couples visiting my clinic in Kolkata is that they are not being able to become parents, even after months of trying. The chances of conceiving a baby is less than 20% each time you have an intercourse – and couples need to have generous dollops of patience, which is likely to be rewarded over time. However, certain medical factors might also hamper your chances to get pregnant. In what follows, I have elaborated on nine such factors:

1. Not syncing your physical unions with your ovulation cycles – Having regular intercourses can be futile, if you are not aware of your ovulation dates. The female body needs to be prepared for the egg-fertilization process in the reproductive tracts – and that can only happen only when you are ovulating. If you are trying to have a child, consult a sexology expert first, to get the timings of your intercourses right.
2. Imbalances in hormonal flows – Many of the ladies coming to my pregnancy and infertility clinic in Kolkata are diagnosed to have problems in their hormonal balance. I have also seen many cases where a woman is insulin-resistant. In such cases, it is vital to get the flow of the estrogen hormone back in balance, before attempting to get pregnant.
3. Weight problems – The sheer number of grossly overweight ladies complaining about pregnancy matters often drives me nuts. If you wish to become a parent, the least you can do is take good care of your body – and that includes the maintenance of the body mass index (BMI) within the normal range. If your lifestyle ain’t active enough, you will gain weight – which, in turn, can be detrimental for your sexual health. Being anorexic is not the solution either!
4. Getting on in age – If you are trying to get pregnant after crossing the age of 35 – complications can ensue. I come across several such instances – and for most of these cases, I have to straightaway prescribe IVF treatment in India, along with courses of strong fertility drugs. The best time to become a mom is between 20 and 32 – beyond which the natural fertility levels start dropping off.
5. Having too many contraceptives earlier – This is a frequent problem among many relatively young ladies. Couples do not wish to bring a baby to their lives until they are on firm financial footing (which is absolutely fine) – but that does not mean women can pop contraceptives at will, without any risk of side-effects. Do not take any contraceptive pill without consulting your gynecologist in Kolkata. In fact, if you have protected sex, you will not require such potentially harmful medications at all.
6. Ovarian cysts – The entire ovulation procedure might get blocked due to cyst(s) and/or tumors in your ovary or the fallopian tubes – and your aspirations for parenthood would remain unfulfilled, as a result. That’s one of the main reasons why I ask the patients at my infertility center in Kolkata about the regularity and heaviness of their periods. In case they do report menstruation problems, I recommend ultrasonography in Kolkata – which often reveals the presence of single or multiple cysts.  
7. Having multiple abdominal surgeries – If you had been to an abortion clinic in Kolkata sometime back for a pregnancy termination - that should not, in theory, affect your capabilities for conceiving later on. However, a casually done surgery can result in the uterine walls getting scarred, which has adverse effects on the functionality of your reproductive tracts. Naturally, this risk goes up if you have had more than one major abdominal operation. Make sure that you inform your gynecologist in Kolkata about all the surgeries (if any) you have undergone earlier.
8. Poor dietary habits – Surprisingly, more than half of the cases of ‘non-pregnancy’ I handle can be attributed to dietary causes. Experts at any good pregnancy and IVF center in Kolkata would emphasize on the importance of following a regular, nutritious diet – so that your body receives the minerals and vitamins required to conceive a baby. Whole grains, fish and dairy products should feature in your everyday meals. Complete abstinence from fried food isn’t necessary – but don’t keep gorging on them!
9. Drinking and smoking habits – The more unhealthy your lifestyle is, the lesser would be your chances to (ever) get pregnant. If you are in the habit of smoking and/or boozing pretty regularly – it’s high time you cut down on such habits. Limit your daily caffeine consumption as well. If your male partner is a chain smoker, make sure that you are not being subjected to passive smoking.

Worrying too much about having a baby can remove the fun element of having intercourses with your loved one. Such enhanced stress levels, in turn, can lead to lower chances of pregnancy. Remember, even if there are medical complications – effective infertility treatment is readily available. If normal treatment procedures fail, you can opt for surrogacy in India as well. Have intercourses on time, take proper care of your health, and stay in touch with a proficient gynecologist. Becoming pregnant would become easier!