It doesn’t really matter when you want to be pregnant, but if you are entertaining the thought, then you might as well know certain things about your fertility. Growing up, not a lot of people got the chance to be educated on egg freezing, or the age you’re most likely to conceive – not even the age when your fertility declines. In fact, some of us were never told what to do in case you can’t get pregnant.
Here are some important things that every woman should know about fertility:
Having Kids Require Planning
Some people plan for their retirement, while some plan for reproduction. This is important because there are some things that might make it difficult for you to get pregnant in the future. Thus, it is essential for you to know about them now to have a better understanding of the risks and the available options for your potential timeline. If you haven’t started talking to your doctor about it, you should start doing so.
What REALLY Happens During Conception
It’s not uncommon for both men and women to be confused about what happens during conception. To make things easier, here is a brief explanation:
An egg matures in one of your ovaries every month. When the egg is ready, the ovary releases it. This egg then makes its way into the Fallopian tube, stays there for about 24 hours, and awaits fertilization by a sperm. If the egg is fertilized, it would travel to the uterus. This is where it implants on the uterus lining. If the egg is not fertilized, it travels to the uterus and disintegrates.
Bottom line: in order to get pregnant, a sperm should fertilize an egg after it has been released from the ovary into the Fallopian tube. Keep in mind that the egg will only survive for 24 hours. Sperm can survive inside the female’s body for up to five days. The ‘pregnancy window’ lasts for about six days – the five days leading up to ovulation and of the day of ovulation itself. This is why if a woman wants to get pregnant, she should track her menstrual cycles. It is important that intercourse is done during the days leading up to ovulation.
Infertility and Age
The old adage that says women who are over 35 will not get pregnant is a MYTH. However, fertility does decline in women who are in their mid-30s. Fertility decreases with age, but the decline does not necessarily mean that those in their late 30s will not have a child. What does this mean? If you are over 35 and having a difficult time conceiving, you should see a fertility specialist so you can get proper help.
Should you have more questions about fertility, set up an appointment with Dr. Fay Weisberg! She specializes in fertility and treatment options.
