Planning to start a family is an exciting time, but can also be stressful if it doesn’t happen as quickly and easily as you expect or if you don’t have the necessary support system. 

 

To help make your journey towards parenthood easier and less stressful we’ve compiled a list of important facts about fertility and fertility clinics in Australia. 

 

Fertility Facts

When it comes to you and your partner’s fertility there are many factors that can impact your chances of success. 

 

6 Day Pregnancy Window

While it may seem like a simple process, the average pregnancy success rate sits around 20% in any given month. This is because the fertile window is quite short, at just 6 days per menstrual cycle. 

 

This fertile window occurs on the five days leading up to, and the day of, ovulation. With the absolute best chance of getting pregnant being on the day of ovulation.

 

It can be difficult to track when this period will be as each woman is different and cycles can vary from month to month, but using an ovulation calculator can help make this process a little easier.

 

Age can Affect Fertility

Your age and your partner’s age can affect your fertility. As we stated before the average success rate is 20%, however this is calculated for couples 35 years and younger. 

This rate slowly starts to decline as you both get older, and by age 40, a woman’s chance of getting pregnant drops to about 5% per month. 

 

While men don’t stop producing sperm, the way women stop producing eggs, the quality of the sperm does start to decrease as they age. Men under 40 have healthier sperm and as such are more likely to father a child. 

 

We understand life takes us all in different directions and it can be hard to plan a family earlier in life, but it is important to understand how your age can affect your likelihood of success before you start trying. 

 

Caffeine can Impact How Long it Takes to get Pregnant

Caffeine is a big part of life for many people, but it can also take a toll on your fertility. We’re not saying you have to cut it out completely, but studies have shown that excessive caffeine intake can lead to decreased fertility and a slightly heightened risk of miscarriage.

 

It is important to note that caffeine isn’t just found in coffee, so it’s important to be aware of what you are putting in your body while you are trying to fall pregnant. Caffeine can also be present in teas, chocolates, energy and soft drinks.

 

For the best chances of a quick conception and healthy pregnancy it is recommended that you reduce your caffeine intake to around 200mg or 2 cups of coffee per day. 

 

Fertility Clinic Facts

Whether you’ve been experiencing fertility issues or just want to make sure you and your partner are healthy, fertility clinics can help. 

 

Dr Kelvin Larwood is a Sunshine Coast based fertility specialist who is passionate about helping couples start their families and have a healthy pregnancy. 

 

We Can Assess, Diagnose & Treat Many Fertility Issues

While it can be stressful and frustrating when you don’t get pregnant after a few months of trying, it is important to do your best to be patient. 

 

While you can visit a clinic any time, it is recommended to see a fertility specialist if you and your partner have not been able to conceive after 12 months of trying. 

 

Fertility clinics and specialists will be able to do all the required tests to find out why you are having trouble conceiving and then start the necessary fertility treatment.

 

These clinics and specialists offer a range of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) including in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatments to help you and your partner conceive. 

 

We Don’t Just Treat Women

While fertility clinics will predominantly offer women’s health care, that is not all they offer. We treat the couple, which means we also help treat male infertility. 

 

If you are struggling to conceive due to a male infertility problem such as azoospermia –  a condition where there is an absence of sperm in semen analysis – we can perform a surgical sperm collection.

 

We Provide Continuity of Care

When seeking any kind of treatment one of the most important things we look for is continuity of care. It can be frustrating to explain your issues or treatment to a range of different specialists.

 

To help make your pregnancy and any treatments as smooth and comfortable as possible, fertility clinics offer continuity of care, so you’ll always see the same fertility specialist who is aware of your needs and current treatment.