The steps to having a baby can be a process that can take a varying amount of time. Many different factors take place in order to conceive a child. Some of the main factors include age and health levels. If one of the parameters is off, tin can lead to increased difficulty in getting pregnant.
The Steps to Achieving a Pregnancy
Growing up, we have all heard the story of the birds and the bees or some version. But as a recap, we will go over the basic process of the reproductive system. First, there needs to be an adequate amount of sperm that is placed inside of the vagina. The sperm then swims up the cervix through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes. At the same time, an egg needs to be released by the ovaries. The sperm fertilizes the egg and thn the fertilized egg, now called an embryo, attaches itself to the lining of the uterine wall, resulting in a pregnancy.
What Could be Preventing a Pregnancy
While the process may seem relatively simple, many factors are involved in order for each of these steps to occur. The first thing that is needed is an adequate number of good quality sperm. When a semen analysis is conducted, the sperm are examined for a variety of characteristics. The overall count is calculated as well as the motility and morphology. If any one of these is below normal, it could result in infertility issues.
The other side to this is the quality of the eggs. Women are born with a finite number of egg reserves in their ovaries. As a woman ages, the number and quality of eggs begin to decrease. The Ferility Center will then perform tests to examine the number of eggs the ovaries are producing each month and the quality of these eggs.
One way to check is to test your ovarian reserve is through a blood test called a Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Level. On the third day of your menstrual cycle, your FSH level should be very low and if not we could determine if your pituitary gland has to work extra hard to produce an egg.
Another issue could be the lining of the uterus itself. If there is anything inside of the uterus that could prevent implantation such as a polyp or fibroids, implantation of the embryo could be inhibited. One way to determine this is by placing water into the uterus at the same time an ultrasound is done. This way we will be able to determine if there is anything projecting into the cavity that could create a physical barrier to the implantation of the embryo.
Lastly, if the fallopian tubes are closed, fertilization may be prevented or the egg will not be able to pass through to the uterus. In order to test for this, a radiologist inserts a dye while simultaneously taking an x-ray. This will allow them to see if the dye is being blocked or the tubes are closed.
Many different factors go into conceiving a child. If you have been trying to conceive for more than 6 months, consult the help of a fertility specialist. Contact The Fertility Center of Las Vegas to schedule an appointment or to attend a free patient education seminar.
