Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2018

74 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.BestOfMP.com feature F or some, the decision to start or expand their families is as simple as that – a decision. Yet for others, it’s only the beginning of a long and often emotionally draining process. According to Dr. John Schnorr of Coastal Fertility Specialists, roughly 14 percent of all couples trying to conceive experience obstacles throughout the process. Common Hurdles While there are a number of reasons for issues with infertility, the most basic ones are an irregular menstrual cycle for women or an abnormally low sperm count for men. Additionally, the timing of when women are ovulating is often miscalculated, causing couples to miss their window of opportunity for conception. Thankfully, in today’s era of technology, there are easy- to-use and free apps that can help women to track their cycles so they know exactly when their fertile days will be. Lifestyle always makes a difference, according to Dr. Schnorr, who suggested that the best things women can do in the initial stages of trying to conceive is to “maintain a well-balanced diet, have a healthy exercise routine, eliminate tobacco use and minimize caffeine and alcohol.” Beyond the quick fixes, however, it’s important to note that infertility is defined as being unable to conceive after one full year of trying without success. That’s when it’s time to call your OB-GYN or an infertility specialist. “If you’re under 35, have regular menstrual cycles and there aren’t any red flags, then we suggest waiting the full year. However, if you’re over 35, it’s worth making an Baby Fever Understanding the Fertility Journey By Krysta Chapman