Get Pregnant in Your 20’s

“How to Maximize Your Fertility if You are in Your 20’s”

Here’s the good news. A woman in her 20’s has the best chance of getting pregnant. According to statistics, you’ve got up to a 25 percent chance of conceiving each month. A woman in her early twenties will usually become pregnant after four to five months. A woman in her late twenties usually can become pregnant, on average, in six to seven months.

Even though nature is on your side in your twenties, there are still things you can do to help your chances of conception.

Choose Contraception Wisely
You have to be aware that although using some form of hormonal birth control has never been shown to cause infertility, it will still delay ovulation after you stop using it. The trick is to know how long, on average, each type of birth control delays ovulation after you have stopped using it. Use of the Pill can delay becoming pregnant, on average, for four months after you have stopped using it. The hormonal patch and vaginal ring cause similar time delays as the pill. The contraceptive shot can delay becoming pregnant up to 10 months after your last shot, and it can be 12 months or more after having an IUD removed.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) - You Need to Know
According to a statistic from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women under 25 make up half of all cases of STDs. The concern is that if you have an STD and do not get treatment, the infection could damage the reproductive organs and cause ectopic (tubal) pregnancy or infertility. You need to make sure you get tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, and hepatitis B before trying for a baby. It is also recommended that you get vaccinated against the human papilloma virus (HPV), the most common cause of cervical cancer.

Stop Smoking
Smoking has been shown to cause all sorts of health problems. It is not a good thing to do to your body and there are plenty of statistics to back that statement up. However, since we are a pregnancy issue site, you need to know that smoking has been shown to cause women to have both a lower conception rate and higher rate of infertility, compared with non-smokers. The reason for this is believed to be that the body’s production of estrogen and progesterone are altered by the chemicals in tobacco smoke. This creates an imbalance that can impair tubal function and hinder conception and implantation. If you do get pregnant, you aren’t out of the woods yet, because smoking doubles your risk for having a low birth weight baby. It can also cause miscarriage, stillbirth, placental problems, bleeding, and premature birth. Not to mention that it can impair ovarian function years down the road.

Recreational Drugs = NO
There is evidence to suggest that Marijuana may impede the egg’s passage into the uterus and hinder its ability to implant. A higher rate of miscarriage is also associated with women who smoke pot at the time of conception. Although there is not a lot of data, both cocaine and methamphetamine are associated with premature birth and low birth weight.

Abstain from drinking Alcohol
An occasional glass of wine is not likely to be a problem, however, studies suggest that as little as three or fewer drinks a week can interfere with menstruation and ovulation and cause abnormalities in the uterine lining, disrupting implantation. If you are pregnant, consuming alcohol can increase the risk of miscarriage and can impair fetal development.

Not too Thick, Not too Thin
It is best to try to maintain a normal bodyweight. Being undwerweight causes you to become estrogen deficient and the lining of your uterus may not be able to support a fertilized egg. Being overweight causes you to produce too much estrogen which can delay ovulation and cause irregular cycles.

Prenatal Vitamin is a good idea
During the first 28 days after conception, a woman may not even know she is pregnant, however the fetus can develop a neural tube defect (NTD), a serious disorder of the spinal cord and brain. Folic Acid is vital to preventing and it is best for a woman to have the right amount before she conceives. Public health experts recommend that all women of childbearing age take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily (and then at least 600 mcg a day once you’re pregnant). Prenatal vitamins contain optimal amounts of folic acid, iron and calcium. All of these are nutrients your body needs to meet the demands of pregnancy.

When to Seek Help
If you have been trying to get pregnant for 12 months or more, it is wise to consult your gynecologist or a fertility specialist at this point. You should also make sure your partner is evaluated too. There are two common causes of infertility for women in their twenties. One is endometriosis, which causes uterine tissue to grow in the abdomen, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. The other is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is an overproduction of testosterone, characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, ovarian cysts, obesity, and excessive hair growth on the face, chest, and abdomen. The good news is that both of these are treatable, but you need to seek professional help.