Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – How to get Pregnant

This article is a compilation of most frequently asked questions for pregnant women compiled by our author who are experts in O&G. Over 2,000 answers & tips are provided to help educate and engage the women in Singapore, in our FAQ.

What is a Pregnancy FAQ definition ?

The top questions that are commonly asked by pregnant women about their condition.

How to get getting pregnant ?

Should I go for preconception checkup? What preconception tests should I have?

• It is a good idea to go for a preconception checkup for both the future mum and dad!
• This allows early detection of any medical conditions that may hinder fertility or cause problems in the pregnancy, and an opportunity for a doctor to answer all your pregnancy-related questions!
• Providing your medical history to the physician is an important part of your preconception check up. You and your partner’s health condition, lifestyle, your periods (i.e. how regular they are) will give the doctor the basis for his or her recommendation regarding conception and pregnancy.
• The doctor will do a complete physical exam for you, including a pelvic exam and speculum exam to have a general look at the health of your reproductive tract. Your doctor may also suggest a pap smear if you haven’t had one done in the past two years, or perform a vaginal swab if you have any symptoms such as itch or abnormal discharge.
• Being pregnant can make any known or unknown iron-deficiency anemia worse; a recent blood test allows the doctor to show you whether you need to take iron supplements.
• Sexually transmitted infections are often asymptomatic, but they can be passed to your baby through the reproductive tract. Checking for STIs (including HIV) before or during pregnancy is compulsory in some areas.
• Hepatitis can be passed on from mother to fetus, and can cause chronic liver disease. You may test for presence of this virus in your book, as well as your immunity to the virus due to childhood vaccination. If your test results show that you are not immune to hepatitis B (either because you did not get vaccinated as a child, or your immunity waned over the years), you may receive vaccination before your conception to provide protection for you as well as your baby.
• Rubella, and chickenpox are all virus that could cause serious infections in the fetus. In order to provide the best protection for your baby in case of exposure during pregnancy, we recommend testing your immunity for them prior to conception, and getting vaccinated if needed.
• Your doctor may recommend certain special genetic tests for you and your partner if your history reveals certain conditions that run in the family (e.g. cystic fibrosis). These tests allow both you and your doctor to be prepared for possible complications, and provide the most suitable management plan and follow-up.

I am on contraception and now I want to conceive; how do I stop it?

• If you are using natural methods (e.g. withdraw, avoidance of ovulation period) of barrier method (condom, diaphragm), all you have to do is stop using them. Rest assured that recent use of spermicide does not harm the pregnancy.
• If you are using a contraceptive pill, your fertility should theoretically resume as soon as you stop taking it. You may stop taking your contraceptive pill at any time, however you may complete the month if you would like to keep to your menstrual cycles (bleeding will occur within days of stopping the pill). For some women, ovulation may be delayed, and it may take a few months before conception is possible. Please speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about this.
• The depo-provera shot provides effective contraception for 12 weeks following your injection. While it is not possible to reverse this within the 12 week period, some women are successful at conceiving soon after the 12th week. However, this is large dependent on the individual, and some women taken up to 1-2 years after the last injection to conceive. Please see your practitioner if you have trouble conceiving more than 1 year since your last injection.
• The Implanon implantable device should end its contraceptive effects as soon as it is removed. Please visit a doctor for safe removal of the device.
• If you are currently using an intrauterine device, you may try for pregnancy as soon as it is removed. Your fertility should return right away. Please visit a doctor for safe removal of the device.
• Surgical sterilization is considered a permanent contraceptive method. However, reversal is possible in some cases, with variable level of success. Please visit a OBGYN specialist to discuss your options. Be sure to ask about the process and risks for future pregnancies (e.g. increased ectopic pregnancy).

How do I increase fertility?

• Generally, we would advise any couple that fails to conceive after 1 year of trying to seek medical attention. However, women above 35 years old may choose to seek fertility consultation earlier (e.g. after 6 months of trying) to increase the chance of getting pregnant. If you have been trying less than one year, here are some tips. Remember, having regular intercourse (at least 3 times a week) is still the most important factor to conceiving a pregnancy.
• Predicting the timing of ovulation is an important strategy to increase chances of getting pregnant. This means matching the timing of intercourse to your time of ovulation (releasing the egg). There are several methods to predicting your ovulation.
• Experts believe that the “missionary position” affords the best opportunity for conception. This position allows for the deepest penetration and places the sperm closest to the cervix. Other effective alternatives include rear entry and side entry.
• Ladies may try elevating your hips with a pillow if in a lying position, so that the cervix is exposed to the maximum amount of sperm. You may also try to stay in bed for about 30 minutes after intercourse, to prevent gravity from undoing your work!
• Ladies will experience a slight increase in body temperature just after ovulation. Measure your body temperature every morning after waking up, and keep a record. After a few cycles, a pattern should emerge.
• Cervical mucus is noted to be thinner and clearer during ovulation. Another indication is mild lower tummy pain or light spotting, which occurs when the egg is released from the follicle in the ovary.
• Over the counter test kits are available which test your urine, and tells you whether you are ovulating according to the change in colour.

What could be the cause of sub fertility?

• To find out the reason causing your subfertility, you will need to visit a doctor to have a series of specialized tests.
• Female factors include anovulation (failure of the ovaries to produce eggs), fallopian tube blockage, womb/cervical mucus defects, and endometriosis. Please visit a fertility specialist, who will be able to guide you to the most appropriate investigations and treatment.
• Male infertility factors include abnormal sperm amount, motility, or shape. Please visit a fertility specialist, who will be able to guide you to the most appropriate investigations and treatment.
• Mixed factors mean that there are more than one problem involving both the male and female partners.
• Please visit a fertility specialist, who will be able to guide you to the most appropriate investigations and treatment.