Trying for a baby can be challenging, and even more so when it does not happen right away. As you wait (with cultivated patience) for that positive result, here are some steps you can take to improve your chances of pregnancy.
1. Surrogacy
Where two types of surrogacy—gestational and traditional—exist, gestational surrogacy is the most preferred and most common. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate has no biological relationship with the child. Instead, an egg and sperm from either the donor or intended parents are used to create the embryo via in vitro fertilization. This embryo is then transplanted to the surrogate’s uterus.
Find a surrogate by employing the services of a full-service surrogacy agency when trying for a baby. Full-service surrogacy agencies are with you every step of the way and will offer consultation, help you identify a match, and iron out the legal fine print. Before selecting a surrogate, consider their pregnancy history, medical history, and age.
2. Sex
Having sex at the right time in your cycle increases your chances of getting pregnant. Most heterosexual couples who have been trying for a baby through fertility treatments over some time often neglect sex. Regular sex greatly increases the chances of pregnancy.
Keep track of where you’re at in your cycle by monitoring your cervical mucus; a clear, egg white, often slippery discharge being a tell-tale sign of ovulation. While scheduling sex can make it seem rote and unremarkable, what matters most is what you do during this allotted time. To counter this “routine-feel”, consider using visual cues to build anticipation. Try laying out your bra or new lingerie where your partner can see it, or sending each other flirty texts throughout the day.
3. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Most fertility specialists recommend this course of treatment when all other options are exhausted. IVF medication, often in the form of a hormone jab, is self-administered about three days into a new menstrual cycle. This is done to stimulate egg production.
Once mature (usually 36 hours later), viable eggs are harvested via a needle during a visit to an infertility clinic. Several eggs are harvested in the hope of increasing the odds of fertilization. The eggs are then fertilized by sperm in a lab to create an embryo. After this, the embryo is then inseminated into the uterus via a catheter. For context, this process is like having a pap smear.
A complete IVF cycle takes three weeks. While this is often a painless process, some patients report mild-cramps, bloating, and discomfort after insemination. Please talk to your IVF support clinic about any side effects you are feeling.
4. Egg Donation
Most reproductive endocrinologists recommend this course of treatment when the infertility issue lies either in the number or the quality of the woman’s eggs. Egg donation is an IVF treatment where the ovum is harvested from an egg donor, rather than the actual patient. After fertilization, the embryo is then transplanted to the patient’s uterus. By the way, if you are interested you may become an egg donor and help struggling couples to have a baby.
The first step in this IVF treatment is finding an appropriate donor. Working with an experienced egg donation agency is important as they can connect you to vetted donors. If in the Beverly Hills area, Beverly Hills Egg Donation is well recommended by several fertility clinics for their stellar egg donation program. Their egg donation program has a thorough screening process that takes the medical history and family history of the potential donor into account.
For more information on fertility treatments and egg donation in Los Angeles, visit Pacific Fertility Center Los Angeles at the address: 10921 Wilshire Blvd Ste 700, Los Angeles, CA 90024 or call (310) 209-7700. Their services cater to same-sex couples or members of the LGBT community looking to start a family, as well as single women, and couples struggling with infertility when trying for a baby.
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