How to Get Pregnant Guide by Dr Ryan Lee: East-Meets-West Approach

For many couples, the road to pregnancy might feel like an emotional roller coaster, and sometimes it might even be outright frustrating. Some couples conceive quickly, while others may struggle to succeed, even after regularly engaging in sexual intercourse.

With this guide, I will walk you through the steps that you can take to increase your chances of conception, as well as how a combination of western medical practices and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help support and improve your fertility.

Plan your pregnancy early

To help boost your chances of conceiving, it's generally better to plan your pregnancy as early as possible, as a woman's fertility tends to decline after 35. Additionally, the risk of genetic abnormalities in pregnancy also significantly increases past this age.

As part of pregnancy planning, both partners are recommended to participate in preconception health screening. This medical checkup aims to assess your overall health and readiness to conceive.

Preconception screening for women

A preconception screening for women includes various screening tests to identify any existing medical conditions, genetic disorders, or infectious diseases that might be passed down to the baby.

The pregnancy checkup usually includes the following examinations:

• Pelvic examination

  • During this examination, your healthcare provider will assess the condition of your vagina, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and cervix for any potential signs of disease.

  • Additionally, a pelvic ultrasound might be performed to help detect any structural irregularities, such as fibroids or polyps.

• Prenatal genetic screening

  • Genetic screening, such as the non-invasive prenatal tests, could provide insights into any hereditary conditions that both partners may have, such as Down syndrome, trisomy 13, spina bifida, neural tube defects, and sickle cell disease.

Preconception screening for men

It is also important for men to participate in preconception screening, as about half of infertility cases are caused by unhealthy sperm.

• Semen analysis

  • This test assesses sperm count, motility, and looks for abnormal sperm shape to identify any potential fertility issues.

• Hormonal evaluation

  • To evaluate your fertility and sperm production, your healthcare provider may conduct a hormonal evaluation to measure your testosterone levels.

Find out more about Thomson Medical’s preconception health screening, other health screening packages, and their prices by getting in touch with us here.

Natural ways to increase fertility

In addition to preconception health screening, adopting a healthy lifestyle can also increase your chances of successful conception. Here are some steps you can take to increase your fitness, both physically and mentally, including:

1) Maintain an ideal body weight

• Being either overweight or underweight can negatively affect fertility in both men and women. It also has the potential to decrease the effectiveness of fertility treatments.

2) Exercise regularly

• Regularly engaging in moderate levels of physical activity, such as walking or yoga, can help maintain your overall fitness, reduce stress, and boost your fertility.

3) Reduce alcohol intake and quit smoking

• To maintain your fertility and prevent complications during pregnancy, it is recommended that you limit your intake of harmful chemicals and stimulants, such as nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol.

4) Consume balanced, nutritious food

• Routinely consuming a well-balanced diet, including lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, could help with your chances of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy.

5) Folic acid supplement

• Consuming 400-500 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily, both before and during pregnancy, can prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) like spina bifida (incomplete spinal cord development) and anencephaly (underdeveloped brain and skull).

• Folic acid supports DNA synthesis, cell division, and red blood cell formation, reducing the risk of pregnancy complications and genetic abnormalities.

• Natural folate sources include leafy greens (spinach, kale), legumes (lentils, chickpeas), citrus fruits (oranges, lemons), avocados, eggs, nuts, seeds, beets, broccoli, and fortified grains, but supplementation is still recommended for optimal intake.

6) Get enough rest

• Aim for 7–8 hours of restful sleep each night to support your overall physical and mental health, as well as maintaining reproductive function.

7) Manage stress

• When you experience high levels of stress, it can disrupt hormonal balance by causing a spike in cortisol levels. 

• To prevent this, maintain your mental health and fertility, and practise stress management techniques such as building a good social support system and practising mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises.

Common causes of infertility in women

If you and your partner have been unable to conceive after six months of trying (for women aged 35 and older) or one year (for younger couples), despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having had pre-pregnancy check-ups, it's important to explore possible causes. Infertility can affect both men and women.

 Below are some common factors that can cause infertility in women:

• Ovulation disorders

  • This condition occurs when there's a decline in fertility because of irregular periods, a reduction in the number of eggs released, or anovulation (absence of ovulation) during the menstrual cycle.

• Diminished ovarian reserve

  • As you age, there may be a decrease in both the quality and quantity of your eggs, which could affect fertility. Additionally, factors such as medical conditions, previous surgeries, and genetic disorders can also contribute to this decline.

• Endometriosis

  • Endometriosis is a condition where the tissue that’s similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside of it. This extra tissue can obstruct the fallopian tube, preventing sperm from reaching the egg and fertilising it.

• Fallopian tube blockage

  • Obstructions in the fallopian tubes, caused by pelvic inflammatory disease, previous surgeries, or infections, could prevent sperm from reaching the egg.

• Uterine abnormalities

  • Medical conditions such as fibroids, polyps, or ovarian cysts could affect egg implantation in the womb and increase the risk of miscarriage.

• Hormonal imbalances

  • Disruptions in hormone levels, including prolactin or luteinising hormone (LH), can affect ovulation and menstrual cycles.

Common causes of infertility in men

• Reduced sperm fertility

  • This condition is characterised by a low sperm count and poor quality (small, weak, slow, or abnormally shaped), along with motility issues.

• Varicocele

  • Enlarged veins in the scrotum can disrupt normal testicular temperature, which leads to decreased sperm production with poor quality.

• Hormonal issues

  • Low testosterone levels or other hormonal imbalances can affect sperm production.

• Infections

  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or other infections could damage reproductive organs and affect sperm production.

• Ejaculation disorders

  • Conditions like retrograde ejaculation, in which semen enters the bladder instead of the penis, can hinder the effective delivery of sperm.

Think that you might be facing the conditions above and want to explore the options available to you? Request an appointment with our fertility specialists at Thomson Fertility Centre for an accurate diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan.

Western medicine and TCM

To help address your fertility challenges, the east-west fertility program bridges modern Western medicine with Traditional Chinese Medicine practices that have been used for thousands of years. 

While these treatments have different philosophies, when combined, they can increase your chance of conception and minimise the side effects often associated with western medicine. Which treatment is better for you depends on your discussion with your healthcare provider.

Western medicine interventions

Western medicine is characterised by its reliance on scientifically proven methods to diagnose and treat health conditions. It usually involves the use of medications, surgical interventions, and various other medical procedures. 

To treat your fertility issue and help with conception, the western approach includes the following:

• Ovulation induction

  • If your female partner faces irregular menstrual cycles or anovulation, medications like clomiphene citrate or letrozole can be used to stimulate ovulation.

• Assisted reproductive technologies (ART)

  • To assist conception, a procedure such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilisation (IVF) can be performed.

  • During IUI, your partner's sperm is placed directly in the uterus during ovulation to shorten the distance sperm needs to travel to meet the egg in the fallopian tube.

  • While in an IVF procedure, the eggs and sperm are combined in a lab, and the resulting embryo is transferred to the uterus.

• Microscopic epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA)

  • If your male partner has had a vasectomy reversal or a blockage in his spermatic ducts, it may prevent sperm from reaching the penis to ejaculate.

  • To treat this condition, a MESA procedure could be used to get sperm from the epididymis, which is a coiled tube on the back of each testicle where sperm are stored and mature.

• Testicular sperm extraction (TESE)

  • If there's a problem with sperm production or maturation within the epididymis, a TESE procedure can be performed to retrieve sperm directly from the testicle.

• Surgical interventions

  • Surgical procedures such as laparoscopy or hysteroscopy can be performed to address growth issues in the reproductive organ, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)

Traditional Chinese medicine can increase your chances of conception by optimising your reproductive health, maintaining your menstrual cycles, balancing your hormones, and improving your overall well-being.

Chinese medicine is characterised by using a more holistic, non-invasive approach and a balance of energy (Qi) in the body to determine a diagnosis. To help treat infertility, here are some of the procedures that can be performed, including:

• Acupuncture

  • This traditional practice involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on your body (acupoints). Which can help improve blood flow to reproductive organs, reduce stress, and balance hormones.

  • Acupuncture may also serve as a supportive therapy during IVF and IUI cycles to help improve the implantation chances.

• Chinese herbal medicine

  • Chinese herbal medicine may be used to balance the harmony in the body by removing excessive body toxins. To promote natural conception, this herbal medicine may be given in the form of tea or food supplements and supplemented with acupuncture.

• Ear seeds

  • Maternal stress can influence foetal development and birth outcomes. To help reduce anxiety, ear seeds can be performed to help release tension and improve Qi flow, restoring balance in the body.

• Moxibustion

  • Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy that uses dried mugwort herbs to prepare the womb for conception and create a warm environment that fosters foetal growth.

  • Other than that, this therapy stimulates the flow of Qi, which can help to alleviate conditions such as cold womb syndrome and reduce maternal stress.

• Cupping

  • Cupping therapy can be used to promote stress release, improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and enhance your energy, which are important when you try to conceive.

FAQ

How can I increase my chances of getting pregnant?

To increase your chances of getting pregnant, there are several things you can try, such as:

• Schedule pre-pregnancy checkups for you and your partner.

• Engage in sexual intercourse every 2 to 3 days near your ovulation date or on the day of ovulation without contraception.

• Track your menstrual cycle to identify fertile windows.

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and exercise.

• Consider taking traditional chinese herbs alongside acupuncture to increase your fertility.

• Manage stress through stress management techniques or chinese medicine, such as ear seeds or cupping.

How can a girl get pregnant on the first try?

As long as you have unprotected sexual intercourse and sperm are released into the vagina, pregnancy can occur. The success rate increases when your female partner is close to or at the time of ovulation, which can result in a positive pregnancy on the first try.

How come it's difficult to get pregnant?

There are several factors that may affect fertility, such as:

• Age (particularly for women over 35)

• Hormonal imbalances

• Ovulation disorders

• Low sperm count or quality

• Reproductive organ issues, such as blocked fallopian tubes

• Lifestyle factors

How do I know when I'm ovulating?

To know when you're ovulating, you can track your ovulation through several methods, such as:

• Changes in cervical mucus, where it becomes clear and slippery, similar to an egg white.

• Mild cramping on one side of your pelvis.

• A slight rise in basal body temperature.

• Use ovulation prediction kits that detect hormonal changes in urine.

• Track your cycle after each menstruation using mobile apps.

Why is folic acid recommended when trying for a baby?

Consumption of 0.4 or 0.5 mg of folic acid per day could reduce the risk of the baby having neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Mother should consume this vitamin at least 1 month before pregnancy and continue consumption during pregnancy.

Whether you're just starting your journey or have been trying for a while, a holistic east meets west approach could help you conceive. Request a consultation with our fertility specialist at Thomson Fertility Centre for personalised recommendations and tailored advice.