It’s a classic story we’ve all heard before. A childless couple eager to start a family begins their journey with high hopes. After a few months and no positive pregnancy tests, a little tension enters the picture. After six months, more worries creep in. The dreaded 12-month mark hits and the couple begins to throw around the “I” word (infertility). The couple looks into treatments, and just before they begin their first cycle on the fertility treatments, they take a short vacation. Upon their return, they receive the shock of their life when they discover she is pregnant. Just when they have given up hope on conceiving naturally, they end up pregnant. Why does this happen? Many would say that the first few months meant nothing, but as the stress mounted, it became increasingly difficult to become pregnant. It turns into a catch-22. As soon as the cycle of stress is broken, the body is able to carry a pregnancy. Is it true, or is it just speculation based on old wives’ tales?
Researchers at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the University of Oxford recently confirmed the stress theory with a study of nearly three hundred women who were all trying to conceive. Researchers measured the amount of alpha-amylase, a marker for stress found in your spit, in each woman. Women with high levels of this marker reduced their chances of conceiving each month by 12%. That says a lot.
It’s good news, but how do you put it into practice? Take a cue from the couple in the fictional scenario above and go on a vacation or a short getaway to relax. Try your best not to think about getting pregnant too much. Focus on building and enjoying your relationship rather than conception. The more you can reduce your stress, the better your chances of getting pregnant will be.