Go Time...The Path to Motherhood

You and your significant other have decided it is “go time.”  You are proud of your accomplishments, achieved personal life goals, had fun and exciting experiences as a couple, and now you are ready to start a family.  You have been evaluated by your doctor and everything is good.  You have tried for a few months but still no pink line on the stick. 

As a woman, you began to think “oh no, something must be wrong, it should not take this long to get pregnant” or “we’re healthy and the doctor said I’m good.”  You become anxious and even sad.  You dread every month you receive your cycle. It is a reminder that what you want so desperately has not yet come to pass.  And if not careful, you can easily fall into a depression.

Does this sound familiar?  I have heard this scenario many times from women and have even experienced this myself.  It can induce anxiety and send you into a tailspin.  But it is important that you have all the facts.  Do not fall prey to these feelings of angst, sadness, worry, and overwhelm in the process of trying to conceive.  Here are three helpful facts.

1.      Stress decreases the likelihood of conception.

2.      Fifty percent of couples get pregnant within 6 months.

3.      Eighty-five percent of couples get pregnant within 1 year of trying.

Remember, no two people are the same. Although it may have taken your sister or best friend only one try, that is not the norm. The chance of conception per menstrual cycle is 15 to 20% (https://www.yourfertility.org.au/everyone/timing).  However, if you or your significant other have any type of concern or medical condition affecting your reproductive organs, please see your doctor. 

The path to motherhood may not be as easy as you thought it would be, but it does not have to be stressful or overwhelming.  The more you know…