Family Planning Plus

Unfortunately, I am unable to give you a percentage regarding your chance of pregnancy. There are a lot of variables when it comes to conceiving. Some of these factors include your age, your weight, and how long you have been trying to get pregnant.

As long as you are normally fertile and your partner has a normal sperm count, you have a 15-25% chance of becoming pregnant each ovulatory cycle.  However, a woman’s ability to conceive decreases after age 30. About 40% of couples attempting pregnancy will become pregnant within the first three months, 70% within the first six months, and 85% within the year.

Your best chance to get pregnant is if you make love regularly, two to three times a week, every week, every month, and once every day during your 6 fertile days (day of ovulation and the 5 preceding days). Generally, the healthier you are, the better your chance of achieving pregnancy and having a healthy baby. Here are some tips:

• Maintain a healthy weight. If you are underweight, you may not ovulate regularly. If you are overweight or obese, you may have medical problems during your pregnancy.
• Do not smoke; avoid second-hand smoke. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to premature births and low birth weight babies. Babies exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to have asthma, bronchitis, and related lung conditions. If you smoke, quit now – before you become pregnant.
• Do not drink alcohol. Drinking during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome which can cause facial deformities and developmental delays.
• Begin taking an over-the-counter prenatal vitamin that includes 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid. Studies have shown that when folic acid is taken prior to and during early pregnancy, babies are less likely to be born with neural tube defects (defects of the brain and spine).
• If you are using illegal drugs, avoid pregnancy and seek help. Babies born to addicts are often addicts themselves. Addiction is extremely painful and dangerous to infants.
• Discuss any over-the-counter and prescription medicines with your health care provider to see if they are safe to use during pregnancy.
• If you were using the pill or another hormonal method, you switch to condoms or another barrier method for three months before attempting pregnancy. Although the hormones are very quickly passed from your system, this time period will allow you to resume regular menstrual cycles so a pregnancy can be dated.  Some clinicians also feel this allows the uterine lining to thicken and provide a better site for the placenta to implant and grow.
• Eat a well balanced diet that contains whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and low-fat dairy.

Best wishes for a healthy pregnancy!