Help conceiving in Surrey
Photo credit - health4media.com
Are you trying to conceive, but have hit nothing more than a pregnant pause? There are plenty of fertility experts in Surrey who can help you, explains Fiona Adams
When I was a teenager, there were two schools of thought on pregnancy. Some thought that getting pregnant was as easy as falling off a log and thus took all the right precautions; others believed it was rather more difficult – like, impossible the first time, or if you stood up, or said a prayer…
Well, you can imagine the consequences.
Fortunately, the number of teenage girls facing early motherhood these days has declined. In February, data from the Office for National Statistics showed the UK rate of teenage pregnancies (in girls aged 15-17) at its lowest since 1969. Great news.
At the other end of the scale, the conception rate in over-35s has risen and, since 1990, the rate in women over 40 has more than doubled.
Also great news. And yet, for some couples, the longed-for baby remains elusive – especially in the case of ‘geriatric mothers’ (a term once reserved for pregnant women over 30).
In truth, female fertility does decline significantly after the age of 35, but there are steps that both men and women can take to keep as healthy – and fertile – as possible...
Don’t smoke: This weakens men’s sperm and can advance the menopause in women.
Drink in moderation: Excessive alcohol consumption can damage sperm and affect a developing foetus adversely.
Maintain a healthy weight: Being under- or overweight can make conception less likely and obesity may worsen polycystic ovary syndrome.
Avoid STIs: Obvious, perhaps, but certain conditions like chlamydia can go unnoticed, yet make you infertile.
If you are otherwise healthy and have not conceived, you may want to explore other avenues of fertility treatment, such as IVF, a fertility MOT or one of the many other options on the market. South-West London and Surrey have a number of respected centres...
Surrey IVF, Nuffield Health Woking, Shores Road
Tel: (01483) 227814; visit: surreyivf.co.uk
The hospital boasts significant IVF success rates (eg 50% clinical pregnancy rate per egg collection for under-38s) and also offers embryo and sperm freezing, egg sharing and assisted hatching.
New Life Clinic, The Parade, Epsom
Tel: (01372) 738932; visit: newlifeclinic.org.uk
At New Life, the treatments include surgical sperm retrieval, blastocyst transfer, embryo freezing, IVF and egg donation. Its claimed success rate for clinical pregnancies in the under-35s is 62.5%.
Create Fertility, Pepys Road, Wimbledon
Tel: (020) 3441 8705; visit: createhealth.org
This centre offers a number of open days that give potential patients the opportunity to take part in Q&As, speak to staff, view all facilities and arrange an initial consultation. Treatments include IVF, IUI (intra uterine insemination), sperm bank and a one-stop fertility MOT.
The Richmond Practice, Sheen Road, Richmond
Tel: (020) 8940 5009; visit: richmondpractice.co.uk
This practice offers a variety of treatments, including sexual health screening (picks up fertility-damaging STIs) and checks on ovulation, abnormal semen, ejaculation disorders and polycystic ovary syndrome.
