Life
9 Reasons You Aren't Getting Pregnant, Other Than Not Having Enough Sex
When you're trying to get pregnant, it's easy to worry about how everything affects your chances of conception. Although it would be great if you could just get insta-pregnant the second you and your SO go off of birth control, this is not always the case. In fact, the reasons you aren't getting pregnant (other than not having enough sex) may surprise you.
So many things may affect your fertility. What you eat, drink, and even breathe may affect your ability to conceive easily. Although it's important to follow basic health rules, such as eating right and exercising, on a regular basis, it's extra crucial when you're trying to make a baby. Getting enough nutrients may just be the extra boost you need. However, you may also need to give up some habits in order to boost your conception chances. Smoking is an obvious one, but even your daily coffee fix may hamper your chances. (From a fellow caffeine fiend: I'm sorry about this one.)
Larger factors, such as your age, underlying health conditions, and your partner's health, may also greatly affect your ability to get pregnant. That said, none of these reasons necessarily mean that you are out of the baby game for good. If any of these reasons are concerning to you, check in with your physician or fertility specialist to get a deeper read on your fertility.
1You Smoke
Here's another reason to kick the habit. According to ReproductiveFacts.org, both men and women who smoke experience infertility at about twice the rate of nonsmokers. Although cigarettes are notoriously addictive, quitting now may be a great decision for your future kid.
2You Drink Too Much Caffeine
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but too much coffee may decrease your fertility. Although the current studies provide conflicting information about its exact results, women who are trying to conceive may safely consume up to 300 milligrams of caffeine daily, according to Baby Center. Stopping after two 8-ounce cups may be a good bet.
3Your Timing Is Off
It sucks. It completely sucks that, if you wait for your finances and career life to stabilize before having a baby, you may have to face the decline of your fertility. As explained by Very Well, women who are older than 35, and men who are older than 40, may experience age-related problems with conception. Again, checking in with a doctor may help alleviate your concerns.
4You Aren't Sleeping Well
Yes, skimping on shut-eye may affect everything: even your ability to get pregnant. As explained in the Huffington Post, sleep deprivation may be linked to infertility. Fortunately, there are plenty of sleep hacks to help you get enough rest each night.
5You Don't Get Enough Folic Acid
Sure, folic acid may protect a developing baby from birth defects. But as explained in the Daily Mail, folic acid may also help aid conception as well, because women taking supplements with it had fewer problems producing eggs. Basically, there is every reason to get more folic acid in your diet.
6You're Stressed
Telling a stressed person to calm down may be the most unhelpful advice of all time. But the truth stands: stress and infertility may be related, as explained in WebMD. You can always check in with a counselor or read some books to reduce your stress.
7You Suffer From Certain Health Conditions
Many underlying health conditions can have serious affects on your fertility. For instance, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of infertility in women, as explained in Healthy Women. Knowing your health stats is especially crucial at this time.
8You're Using The Wrong Lubricants
This just seems unfair, but using some types of lube may decrease your odds of conception. According to Baby Center, the pH level in many lubricants may kill sperm. To get around this, use more foreplay or look for fertility-friendly lubes.
9Your Partner
If you can't seem to uncover any underlying fertility problems, then you may want to get your partner checked out. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about one-third of infertility cases are caused by the male partner. It may be time for your partner to get a checkup too.
