For many women, conceiving a baby is no easy feat. The lengthy preconception posts and winding stories shared on platforms like 19Floor reveal the challenges involved. Dr. Ding Caifei, Director of Reproductive Medicine at the Red Cross Hospital, notes that the difficulty many childbearing-age women face in conceiving is actually an abnormal phenomenon—bearing children is fundamentally one of humanity's most natural activities.However, Dr. Ding also cautions that many women of childbearing age carry factors that hinder conception. To achieve a smooth pregnancy, it's best to prioritize optimizing your physical health first.
Pets Can Also Cause Infertility
If You Haven't Conceived After a Year of Unprotected Sex, See a Doctor Immediately
Several years ago, Ms. Chen underwent a termination of her six-month pregnancy for personal reasons. When she later decided to try for a baby again, she found herself unable to conceive for an extended period.Medical examination revealed hydrosalpinx in both fallopian tubes and chronic pelvic inflammation. Dr. Ding explained these conditions are common causes of infertility. After treatment, Ms. Chen successfully conceived and gave birth to a healthy baby. Infertility cases like hers are widespread, with diverse underlying causes. Dr. Ding emphasized the importance of maintaining overall health for conception and recommended comprehensive preconception screening before trying to conceive.
Common causes include: - Tubal blockage or hydrosalpinx from chronic pelvic inflammation - Irregular ovulation due to endocrine disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - Endometriosis - Immunological infertility (e.g., parasites from household pets disrupting the immune system)
Dr. Ding emphasized that the most common cause of female infertility today remains abortion. Abortion often leads to reproductive system abnormalities, such as fallopian tube issues or pelvic inflammatory disease. This is particularly true for unmarried women, where abortion or induced labor can cause significant psychological stress, further compromising physical health."Many factors causing infertility may not be immediately noticeable to the individual," Dr. Ding advised. "Therefore, it's essential to undergo medical examinations before attempting to conceive to rule out these issues, making the pregnancy process smoother."
If both partners are in good health, conceiving within a year is considered normal. Couples who haven't conceived after two or three months of trying should not panic. However, if pregnancy hasn't occurred after a full year of unprotected intercourse, both partners should seek medical evaluation.
Human miscarriage rate reaches 14%
No need to panic when facing similar situations
"My baby was only thirty days old when I miscarried for no apparent reason. Is there something wrong with my body? Will I never be able to have my own child?" Many women who have experienced pregnancy loss or unexplained miscarriage ask these questions, feeling anxious and fearful that something is wrong with their bodies.Dr. Ding reassures them unequivocally: The human miscarriage rate exceeds 14%. This means that out of 100 fertilized eggs, 14 may fail to implant, develop into embryos, or result in a live birth. "This is entirely normal—like manufacturing defects in a factory. Those that ultimately miscarry likely had inherent issues from the start," Dr. Ding explains.
Some miscarriages occur so subtly that women may not even notice them. Without tools like pregnancy test kits, they might simply mistake the bleeding for a regular period. In such cases, visiting a hospital for relevant tests can help identify potential underlying issues.However, Dr. Ding emphasized that not every miscarriage has a clear cause. The most crucial thing is to avoid panic and focus on restoring your body to optimal health. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, nearly every woman can conceive and give birth. Those hoping to become mothers should not lose confidence or become overly anxious because of this.
Abstaining until ovulation to conceive isn't scientifically sound
Prioritizing health and relaxation is paramount
To conceive the healthiest baby possible, many couples abstain regularly to ensure sperm quality. Once ovulation is detected via ovulation tests or basal body temperature tracking, they seize the opportunity, engaging in intercourse twice daily to maximize conception chances.Many couples trying to conceive follow this approach. However, Dr. Ding believes it's unscientific. "Abstaining for half a month causes sperm to age. Moreover, frequent intercourse during ovulation is unnecessary—sperm may not be fully developed yet," Dr. Ding explains. In fact, this pattern can artificially create infertility, as conception should be a natural process.
Dr. Ding advises that the best preparation involves women undergoing a pre-pregnancy checkup to rule out adverse factors, optimizing their physical condition, staying relaxed, maintaining a positive mindset, and paying attention to nutrition.Relying on ovulation test strips and thermometers is less reliable than following these principles. Generally, maintaining sexual activity once or twice a week is sufficient. During ovulation, increasing frequency by one or two times per week is a more scientific approach. Avoid being misled by inaccurate online advice.