How to Get Pregnant When Trying to Get Pregnant Isn’t Working

Sometimes in life, we’re struck by situations far from what we’ve been taught to believe is “normal.” For example, conceiving a baby doesn’t always work the way our middle school health textbooks claim it does.

No matter how many times you hear about the birds and the bees, these conversations won’t prevent infertility.

So, what happens when getting pregnant doesn’t occur so quickly?

Let’s face it; most of us aren’t prepared for the process of taking ovarian stimulation drugs or comparing the costs of frozen and fresh donor eggs. After all, many people don’t recall discussing the ins and outs of IVF or other fertility treatment protocols in those sex-ed classes. (Hint: we can’t remember them because they didn’t happen!)

It’s time to start discussing the reality of infertility and understand what you could be up against if having a baby is more complicated than expected.

What Are the Chances a Person Might Be Infertile?

Per the CDC, infertility is defined as: “Not being able to get pregnant after one year (or longer) of unprotected sex. “

While that’s simple enough to understand, what’s a little more confusing is how often this happens to individuals and couples hoping to have a baby. Many people assume there’s only a minute chance that conception won’t occur naturally.

Regretfully, that’s not the case.

An estimated 1-in-8 couples, or 7.4 million individuals, struggle to get pregnant and receive fertility treatment at least once throughout their lives.

In statistical terms, that’s a significant chance someone won’t conceive without using assisted reproductive technology (ART). Some of the most common reasons an individual might face infertility include:

• Advanced age
• Anovulation (not ovulating)
• Endometriosis
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Structural issues in the reproductive system
• Poor egg quality
• Low ovarian reserves or ovarian insufficiency
• Autoimmune disorders

Thankfully, our society’s ever-improving technological advancements provide ample opportunities for any person who wants to have a baby but can’t, to continue trying. From IUI to IVF, there are plenty of options available to anyone who receives an infertility diagnosis.

What’s the First Step in Addressing Your Infertility?

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a year or more with no success or repeated pregnancy loss, this can be a clear indicator it’s time to pursue fertility testing.

The first thing you should always do is make an appointment with your primary care physician or gynecologist. Your healthcare provider will likely suggest techniques like period and ovulation tracking to begin your treatment.

If those methods still don’t result in a positive pregnancy test, your physician will recommend you to a specialized fertility clinic that will perform routine fertility testing. This process includes various procedures, such as:

• Transvaginal ultrasounds
• Blood work
• Ovulation testing
• Semen analysis
• Saline ultrasounds
• Ovarian reserve testing
• Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

Using the information collected from those tests, your fertility doctor will recommend the best type of treatment plan for your specific circumstance.

Understanding the Most Common Fertility Treatment Options

While many people have heard terms like IVF, donor egg, or surrogacy, few of us understand what they mean and represent.

After your testing is completed, your fertility specialist will likely suggest one of the following solutions:

• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): Have you ever heard someone mention the “turkey baster method?” If so, they’re essentially talking about an IUI. During this procedure, doctors will use a collection of sperm from either your partner or a donor and place it directly into your uterus.

• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): The overall goal of an IVF cycle is to stimulate a person’s body to produce more eggs than normal during their reproductive cycle. Those eggs are then retrieved, fertilized, and the developing embryo is placed directly into their uterus.
• Donor Egg & Sperm: In situations where an individual’s sperm or eggs are no longer viable for conception, doctors may suggest they use donor sperm or eggs.

• Surrogacy: For some people, their bodies are simply incapable of sustaining a pregnancy, or there’s the possibility of a pregnancy being too hard on their general health. In situations like these, or in the case of same-sex couples, a surrogate will carry the baby for them.

Getting Pregnant Is Not a One Size Fits All Process

It would be nice if conception were easy and hassle-free every time—unfortunately, this isn’t the case. If you’re losing hope in starting your family, it’s crucial to remember that alternative treatments exist.

Whether you end up benefitting from an IUI, donor egg cycle, or need a surrogate, there’s no rule stating you can’t have a baby another way.

When getting pregnant isn’t as easy as you wish, hold fast to the fact that the right solution for you and your future family could be right around the corner.