As aspiring parents, the journey towards conceiving can be a rollercoaster ride filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and hope. While it is essential to stay calm throughout the process, acquiring information is equally vital.
Hence, the Singapore Parenting Festival (SPF) gave you Dr Janice Tung, Angie Hermann, and Rafidah Jalil as webinar speakers. They discussed topics and experiences about conceiving, the fertilisation process, and in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
Things about conceiving
In this day and age, technological advancements have given us the ability to seek tech support at the touch of a button.
However, when it comes to conceiving a child, we are at the mercy of our natural fertility system.
Unfortunately, our chances of naturally conceiving a child in a given month decline with age. However, what many people do not know is that our chances aren't very high even at a young age.
Here are some key points Dr Janice Tung discussed as one of the speakers of the Singapore Parenting Festival’s Getting Pregnant 101 Webinar.
Natural Fertility Declines With Age
Natural fertility declines with age and this is an unfortunate reality that women face. Despite the fact that women have a finite number of eggs, the drop in fertility begins in the early 30s and accelerates in the late 30s.
This means that for those trying to conceive, it's important to understand that the chances of getting pregnant decrease with age.
However, what many people may not realise is that even at a young age, the chances of naturally conceiving in a given month are not particularly high.
On average, the chances of getting pregnant in a given month are only about one in four to one in five for women in their 20s as Dr Tung mentioned.
This may be surprising to some, but it underscores how inefficient our natural fertility system can be.
Cumulatively, women still have a good chance of becoming pregnant over time, but it can take months or even years of trying.
As women get older, the chances of conception naturally decline at a more rapid pace, which is why it's important to start trying to conceive earlier if having children is part of your life plan.
The average chances of conceiving by age 25 are 1 in 4 to 1 in 5
The topic of natural conception and fertility can be a daunting one, and it's important to have accurate information to make informed decisions.
The average chances of natural conception by age 25 are not as high as many may think, with a range of about one in four to one in five.
As a woman's age increases, these chances decline even further, which may contribute to longer periods of trying to conceive.
These statistics underscore the importance of being patient and giving oneself ample time to conceive.
As empirical evidence has shown, it often takes six months to a year of trying to achieve a viable pregnancy.
It's also essential to note that everyone's body is different, as genetics and other health factors contribute to overall fertility.
The decline in natural conception rates can be attributed to the inefficiency of the human fertility system.
It's easy to see why some may turn to fertility treatments or alternatives to enhance their chances.
However, it's crucial to seek expert advice before taking any significant steps regarding fertility.
It's important to be informed and proactive in our own reproductive health to achieve our family planning goals and increase your chances of getting pregnant.
The fertilisation process in conceiving
When it comes to fertility, there are a lot of factors that can make conception more difficult. One of the biggest obstacles is the sheer volume of sperm required for natural fertilisation.
While only one egg needs to be fertilised, it can take millions of sperm to get the job done.
This means that even if a man's sperm count is technically within the normal range, low motility or morphology can still be a problem.
Beyond the challenge of getting enough sperm to the egg, there's also the issue of implantation. Even if fertilisation occurs, the developing embryo needs to successfully attach to the womb lining in order to grow and thrive.
Any issues with the endometrium can make this process more difficult and can even lead to early miscarriage.
Using the metaphor of soldiers laying siege to a castle, as used by the Singapore Parenting Festival (SPF) medical speaker, Dr. Janice Tung, it's clear that the body's fertility system requires a lot of resources and coordination to be successful.
When these factors aren't in place, it can be frustrating and emotionally taxing for couples, especially if you want to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Natural fertilisation requires a high sperm count.
In order for natural fertilisation to occur, a high sperm count is required. It may seem strange, but our bodies have been designed in such a way that a large number of sperm are needed to ensure successful fertilisation.
To put it into perspective, one could compare it to a siege on a castle, where an entire army of soldiers is required to be successful, versus an assassination where only one person is necessary.
This means that without a high sperm count, the likelihood of natural fertilisation is significantly lower.
One of the key speakers in the first webinar, Rafidah Jalil, shared that she had to undergo IVF because her husband was diagnosed with male infertility.
“I didn't expect to need to do IVF at such a young age, but we were trying and because my husband was diagnosed with male infertility, we were told, okay, the best chance you have is to just go straight to IVF.”
Hence, conceiving is not always the fault of the woman. It is a joint effort between a couple. Increasing your chances of getting pregnant is a mutual responsibility.
Implantation of the embryo in the womb lining is necessary for successful fertilisation.
One of the necessary steps for successful fertilisation is the implantation of the embryo in the womb lining. This process takes place in the endometrium, or the cavity of the uterus.
Without implantation, fertilisation alone is not enough for a viable pregnancy. In comparison to a castle being laid siege, the fertilisation process requires an army of sperm, but only one successful embryo must implant in the womb.
This means that having enough healthy sperm is crucial for successful fertilisation. However, you must ensure that the embryo must be able to successfully implant in the endometrium.
Understanding the process of implantation and ensuring a healthy environment for the embryo to implant are critical factors in achieving successful fertilisation and healthy pregnancy.
The womb lining must be suitable for the embryo to implant.
One of the key factors that can make pregnancy more difficult is the suitability of the womb lining for the embryo to implant.
After fertilisation, the embryo must implant itself in the endometrium - the lining of the uterus - for the pregnancy to continue.
Similar to the concept of the seed and the soil, even if the embryo is healthy, it needs a receptive and nourishing environment for successful implantation and development.
This is why factors such as the thickness and quality of the endometrium. Also, the presence of any underlying conditions. This includes polyps or fibroids that can affect a woman's ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term.
People undergoing fertility treatments can use endometrial scratch and endometrial co-cultures to improve the likelihood of successful implantation.
Options for infertile parents in conceiving
Typically, one starts with a fertility health check, which can be done at any point or repeated as needed. However, going from clinic to clinic and repeating fertility health checks is not recommended.
Even if you have no plans to start a family yet, you can have a fertility health check. If you are under 35 years old, you can consider egg freezing as an option.
In case you find that you are not ovulating, undergoing fertility treatments can help. This is especially true when obtaining medical guidance and support to achieve your dream of becoming a parent.
Egg freezing is an option for people under 35 years of age.
At any point, the journey typically starts with a fertility health check and repetition is optional. While some individuals go from clinic to clinic for repeated fertility health checks, it is not an advisable approach.
If you are younger than 35 years of age, egg freezing is becoming an option. It is also possible to have a fertility health track and identify that you are not ovulating.
Overall, it is essential to explore and understand the available options to conceive. This is in order to make informed decisions about your fertility health like in vitro fertilisation.
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) options for parents
One important step in the journey towards parenthood is considering in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
IVF is a fertility treatment that involves the retrieval of eggs from the ovaries.
It also includes fertilisation of the eggs with sperm in a laboratory. Plus, subsequent transfer of one or more embryos into the uterus.
In vitro fertilisation can address Low sperm count, ovulation disorders, and fallopian tube abnormalities.
It is a highly effective option, with success rates varying depending on factors. Some of these factors are age and the cause of infertility.
However, it can also be a complex and emotionally challenging process, involving medications, frequent doctor appointments, and financial considerations.
As with any medical decision, it is important to gather information. You can also ask questions, and work closely with your healthcare provider. This is for you to determine if in vitro fertilisation is the right option for you.
Last messages from our mom speakers
“Make sure you can live with knowing that you've tried and giving it your all. You know what I mean? And like what Dr Janice said, don't stop at one doctor, if we had stopped at the seven—the seven doctors that we saw, I wouldn't have the child that I have today,” said Angie Hermann, one of the speakers of SPF, who is an IVF mom.
“Find people who are going through the same thing as you because I think a lot of us who are going through infertility, often feel like the current group of friends or social support that we have, although they are well-meaning, might not give you the empathy you need,” said Rafidah Jalil, one of the speakers of SPF, who is also an IVF mom.