Myth 1: Having sex everyday enhances
fertility.
Fact: No. In fact, it
may decrease the chances. As the egg’s life is only 24 hours long, having
sex more often will only help during the woman’s fertile period.
Myth 2: Infertility is
hereditary
Fact: False, most
infertility problems are not hereditary it may depend on an individual
lifestyle, and health status.
Myth 3: Drinking wine is better than
drinking alcohol
Fact: Alcohol in any
form may lead to fetal defects. Therefore, it is better to avoid it while
planning for pregnancy.
Myth 4: A late pregnancy is easier if your menstruation cycle has been regular.
Fact: It is true that you
are in your fertile period till you menstruate, but remember that the health
and quality of your egg has no relation with your periods. The quality of the
eggs start to decline post 25 years of age, and when you conceive after 30
years of age, you run a slightly greater risk of passing chromosomal
abnormalities to the foetus. So
the early you plan your pregnancy the better. While you can menstruate till 40, it doesn’t always imply that you will have healthy eggs that can make conception easier for you.
the early you plan your pregnancy the better. While you can menstruate till 40, it doesn’t always imply that you will have healthy eggs that can make conception easier for you.
Myth 5: Foods you eat have no
relation with your ability to conceive.
Fact: While there are
certain herbs and foods that help in boosting fertility and egg health, there
are others which can hamper the process, like the caffeine in your colas and
coffee. So be very careful of what you eat and how much while planning a baby.
Myth 6: If stress is what is
affecting your ability to conceive, then yoga and exercise can help; fertility
treatments are not needed.
Fact: True, that a
healthy mind and body can help increase your chances of conception. But if
stress has been a constant companion for the most part of your life and age
isn’t in your favor anymore, it is better to get started with consultations
with a doctor and check on your fertility status than just incorporating
lifestyle changes.
Myth 7: Birth Control Pills Can Ruin
Your Long-Term Fertility
Fact: It’s not
correct. Birth control does not have any long-lasting effects on your ability
to become pregnant after you stop taking them. Women who use other reversible
methods (like an IUD) also become pregnant at similar rates. What can hurt your
chances of having a baby is say, an untreated STD.
Myth 8: If I undergo IVF, I will end
up with twins or triplets.
Fact: Over the past
four decades, the increased availability and use of infertility treatments has
resulted in an increase in multiple births. With the increase in multiple
pregnancies, came an increase in the associated complications including preterm
delivery and neonatal morbidity. Therefore, in 1998 the doctors who practice
IVF proposed a set of guidelines to limit the number of embryos transferred
during IVF. In addition, improvements in lab procedures and cryopreservation
have allowed the number of elective single embryo transfers to increase while
maintaining or even improving the pregnancy rate nationally.