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By Nancy Reid, HealthAtoZ writer
Getting pregnant is part miracle and mostly timing. Sex must take place at exactly the right time for the sperm and egg to make a baby. The right time is usually on a few "fertile" days each month. The problem is that many couples don't know when those days are.
Figuring out the "right time"
A woman is fertile around the time she ovulates, or when an egg is released from the ovary. Pinpointing when this happens can be tricky. You can chart your periods each month and take your temperature each morning. You can also look for clear, slippery vaginal discharge. Another option is using an over-the-counter ovulation kit. Check with your doctor about which method will work best for you.
Planning ahead
At any age, it's a good idea to see your doctor before you start trying to conceive. Your doctor can give you advice on diet, vitamins and medications to avoid. Also, an exam can help spot any problems that might prevent you from conceiving.
When trying fails
Most couples conceive within a year of trying. If you haven't conceived after 10 to 12 months, see your doctor. About one in 10 couples has fertility problems.
If you are in your 30s or older or have a history of fertility problems, it is recommended to see your doctor after six months of trying. A woman's chances of getting pregnant decline in her 30s. It doesn't mean you can't get pregnant - it just means it may take longer, so see your doctor early.
Fertility specialists
Your doctor may refer you to a fertility specialist, who will try to pinpoint the problem. In about one third of cases, the problem lies with the man. In an equal number of cases, the woman has infertility problems. In the rest, infertility is caused by problems in both partners or simply cannot be explained.
Many fertility treatments
Depending on the cause of infertility, there are many treatment options. If a woman has problems ovulating, hormone pills or shots can kick-start ovulation. Sometimes, laparoscopic surgery (using a small camera inserted through an incision) can repair damaged fallopian tubes or evaluate other potential causes for infertility. This clears the way for fertilization. Before having any of these treatments, check with your insurance company to make sure they're covered.
In-vitro fertilization
When other treatments are unsuccessful, couples often turn to in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Statistics show that infertile couples who use IVF have a one in three chance of having a baby after one attempt if the woman is under age 37. Often, it takes more than one IVF attempt.
Not very long ago, IVF was space-age medicine, but now it and similar methods are commonplace. One out of every 100 babies born is conceived this way.
Hormonal medications and IVF increase your chances of having twins, triplets or even more babies. While many couples might consider a having multiples an added blessing, it puts the mother and babies at a high risk for problems.
In IVF, the man's sperm is mixed with the woman's eggs in a lab. Doctors then implant the fertilized eggs back into the woman's womb so that they can grow.
While IVF is expensive, it offers many couples the chance to have a baby they wouldn't otherwise have. Women under 37 years of age have about a one in three chance of success with IVF. After age 37, the success rate drops significantly. Your doctor or infertility specialist can assess your options and chances for success.
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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