Infertility is always the woman’s fault
Harking back to ancient times, it was the woman who was blamed if a couple was unable to have children. Kings would banish their wives if they didn’t produce an heir in a timely manner. Modern science however tells us differently. The odds of having infertility issues are fairly evenly distributed between men and women.
If you are over 35 you won’t be able to get pregnant naturally
While it is true that women’s fertility decreases rapidly once they are in their late thirties, it is also true that very many women have children in their late thirties or even early forties without any scientific help whatsoever. Everyone is different. Just as some men lose their hair in their early twenties and others keep a full head of hair well into their retirement, fertility also evolves on an individual schedule. Still, time does run out much faster for women over 35. Therefore, it is recommended that women over 35 consult a physician if they are still not pregnant after trying for six months.
If you have fertility treatments, you will end up with twins or even triplets
Though it is true that the likelihood of multiples has increased with the use of fertility treatments, it is by no means certain that you will end up with more than one baby. First of all, the likelihood of multiples depends on which fertility treatment is used. Fertility drugs that stimulate the ovaries can lead to several eggs being released at a time. However, if you start out with a low dose of hormones and are well monitored (e.g. ultrasound checks to monitor the number of eggs released) the risk of higher order multiples is very small.
With IVF the likelihood of multiples depends on the number of fertilized eggs that are returned to the woman’s uterus. Often several fertilized eggs are used to increase the likelihood of at least one of the eggs implanting. However, if you are afraid of biting off more than you can chew, you can always decide to use only one or at the most two eggs at a time. Still, don’t forget that even without any fertility treatment twins are not that rare. About one in eighty births results in more than one baby.
If you already have a child, having a second one will be easy
Unfortunately, that is not true. Secondary infertility (the inability to conceive a second time) is quite common. This is especially true if you are trying to conceive with a different partner the second time around. But even with the same partner, things can change over time: tubes can get obstructed, hormones may be out of whack, egg or sperm quality can decrease. So if you are trying for a second child and it is not working, you should follow the same advice as those people that are trying for the first time: consult your doctor and get a complete check-up.
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Blooming Marvellous
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