Why Am I Not Getting Pregnant?

Once again, no second line on the pregnancy test... "Why can other women get pregnant?" "Why isn’t it working for me?"

The disappointment is often overwhelming. An unfulfilled desire to have children can be quite distressing, especially after countless failed attempts. When pregnancy doesn't happen, many women are left with unanswered questions.

To shed some light on the situation, we answer common questions: What are the possible causes for a missed pregnancy, and what steps can increase your chances of achieving your dream child?

Is it normal not to get pregnant right away?

As a young woman, you were probably told to be careful not to get pregnant unexpectedly, right? We worry that "it" might happen accidentally after a one-night stand. So, the disappointment is even greater when you're finally ready for the adventure of having children, and "it" doesn't happen immediately.

We often hear stories of women who stop using contraception and get pregnant right away... While this does happen, it is rarely the norm.

For healthy couples who regularly have unprotected sex, it can take up to a year to achieve pregnancy. So, it usually takes time...

How likely is it to get pregnant during the fertile days?

The window in which a woman can become pregnant is limited to just a few hours in her cycle, specifically around the time of ovulation. In fact, it’s only a maximum of 24 hours, as the egg is only viable for fertilization during this time. However, sperm cells can live for up to three days and need around 24 hours to swim to the egg in the fallopian tube. This is why the one or two days before ovulation are so crucial. The approximate lifespan of sperm is five days, so timing is everything during this phase.

Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of your menstrual cycle. The exact probability of conception is difficult to define, but we estimate about a 20–30% chance of getting pregnant within the first year without contraception. However, if pregnancy has not occurred within 12 months, the chances of conception drop dramatically.

When should I get examined if I'm not getting pregnant?

If you’ve been trying for over a year without contraception and haven’t become pregnant, it’s advisable to see your gynecologist. During a medical check-up, it’s helpful for both the woman and the man to be examined for possible causes. Infertility can stem from either the woman or the man. A thorough examination can provide clarity about potential obstacles and health issues.

What types of artificial insemination are available?

The term artificial insemination is an umbrella term that encompasses various types of fertility treatments. Many women are initially reluctant to pursue artificial insemination, but it can be a valuable solution for couples where natural conception is not possible.

In artificial insemination, eggs are fertilized either 1. outside or 2. inside the body:

1. In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF): In this method, sperm cells are combined with eggs outside the woman’s body. "In vitro" means in a test tube or culture dish.
   Additionally, there are distinctions between the "classic method," where sperm cells are simply added to the eggs in a culture dish (IVF), and ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), where perfectly shaped sperm cells are selected under a microscope and injected into the egg. A further advancement of this is IMSI (Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection), where the sperm is selected using an elaborate search process under a specialized microscope with 6,600x magnification and then injected into the egg.
   
   
2. Insemination: In this method, high-quality sperm are injected directly into the uterus using a micropipette. This is a simple and elegant procedure that is done after the ovarian function, hormones, fallopian tube patency, and sperm quality have been assessed and found to be normal.

Why am I not getting pregnant despite artificial insemination?

Even with medical assistance, pregnancy may not occur immediately after the first attempt. It's important to know: you are not doing anything "wrong"!

Some reasons for a lack of conception could include:

• Poor egg quality: The quality of the egg is not always consistently high, but it is essential for fertilization.
• Genetic disorders in the parents: Both maternal and paternal hereditary factors can result in a genetically unhealthy embryo.
• Embryo viability: As embryos develop in the lab, not all are suitable for transfer.
• Embryo cell division: Fertilized eggs may stop dividing and die.
• Uterine complications: Issues in the uterus may prevent the embryo from implanting.

The causes of infertility are diverse. A comprehensive consultation at a fertility clinic can help you gain clarity and insights into why pregnancy is not yet occurring.

How can I increase my chances of getting pregnant?

There is no single golden rule to answer this question. Rather, there are multiple paths to achieving pregnancy:

Start with a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and plenty of relaxation. Stress can negatively impact your cycle, while maintaining balance may positively affect your fertility. It’s easier said than done, but try to unwind and consider relaxation techniques such as acupuncture.

As previously mentioned, it’s beneficial to know your menstrual cycle and be aware of when your next ovulation occurs. This way, you can time intercourse during your most fertile period.

If you are a smoker, this could also affect your fertility. Consider quitting to prevent any further hindrance.

Your chances may also improve with hormone treatments. Additionally, artificial insemination, as previously discussed, could be the solution to your dream of having a child. Speak with your gynecologist or consult a fertility clinic.

Conclusion

In summary, not becoming pregnant is not uncommon. If you are facing the challenge of unfulfilled parenthood, remember that you are not alone. Many other couples share similar concerns and questions.

Don’t give up hope, and seek advice from your trusted doctor or a fertility clinic. With professional support, the path to parenthood and your dream child becomes easier. Every case is unique, so a personal consultation is especially helpful at the beginning.

At the Ceres Fertility Center, we are here for you. We place great importance on helping you with the latest scientific insights, offering empathy and commitment.

Would you like to gain clarity on why you're not getting pregnant?

Then come to the Ceres Fertility Center in Berlin. We will do everything we can to find out why you’re not getting pregnant and will work to find the best treatment option for you. We are also happy to provide a second opinion.

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