Infertility and difficulty getting pregnant Ngā raruraru matahua

There are 2 main types of infertility couples can experience — primary infertility and secondary infertility.

• Primary infertility is when you have never been able to get pregnant.
• Secondary infertility is when you have been pregnant at least once before but cannot get pregnant again.

It is common for it to take a few months to get pregnant. But if you have been trying to get pregnant for over a year, see your healthcare provider. Sometimes there might be a medical reason why you have been unable to get pregnant.

Challenges with fertility and getting pregnant can either be with the female or male partner, sometimes both. Causes of infertility can include anything that can affect:

• sperm production or function
• egg production and release (ovulation) 
• the ability for the egg and sperm to meet.

Some things that might affect the ability to get pregnant include:

• age
• being an unhealthy weight
• smoking
• drinking too much alcohol or caffeine
• past sexually transmitted infections
• problems with reproductive organs (ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus or testicles)
• exposure to certain chemicals, medicines or drugs
• some previous medical problems or treatments, such as radiation treatment.

Sometimes, no cause for infertility can be found.

Your healthcare provider will ask questions about how long you have been trying to get pregnant. These may include questions about:

• if you have ever been pregnant
• your normal period cycle
• your family history.

They will need to talk to you and your partner. They may also examine you both. They may do some tests, such as:

• blood tests to check ovulation is occurring
• sperm tests to check the health of sperm
• general health checks.

If you need a specialist fertility assessment, this may be publicly funded if you meet certain criteria. You will need to be referred by your healthcare provider.

Publicly funded treatment — Fertility New Zealandexternal link

If you do not meet these criteria, you may choose to pay for a private assessment.

Fertility providers — Healthpointexternal link

Test results sometimes show a cause for infertility. But sometimes, no cause can be found.  

There are some things you can do to increase your chances of having a pēpi. Some lifestyle changes may help you get pregnant — good preconception health can improve the chances of conceiving.  

• Work toward a healthy body weight — being very overweight or underweight can reduce the chances of getting pregnant.
• Eat well — the Mediterranean way of eating has been shown to support fertility and general health.
• Stop smoking and taking drugs.
• Reduce caffeine and alcohol.
• Be physically active most days. Men should avoid strenuous activity that makes the testicles hot, as this affects sperm health. 
• Proactively manage stress and prioritise self care.  

Mediterranean way of eating

Improving your chances of getting pregnant

Understanding the best times in the menstrual cycle when a woman is most fertile (the 'fertility window') is important. Being aware of when your fertility window is increases your chances of conception.

Timing for conception

If you have been trying to conceive without success for over 12 months (9 months if the woman is over 35, or 6 months if the woman is over 40), see your healthcare provider. They may refer you for a specialist fertility assessment. Seeing a specialist might be publicly funded if you meet certain criteria.

Publicly funded treatment — Fertility New Zealandexternal link

You can also choose to see a private provider. You will need to pay for the assessment and any fertility treatment.  

Fertility providers — Healthpointexternal link

If getting pregnant and having your own child (or having another child) has not gone as planned, this can be a very stressful time. Coming to terms with the reality that making a baby is not always easy has its own grief attached.

It may help to get support to cope with infertility, and to understand more about:

• your condition
• the causes of infertility
• treatment options.

For some people, connecting with others who have been affected by infertility is helpful.  

Talk to your healthcare provider, seek support, counselling or information from Fertility New Zealand as you go through this journey.

Support groups — Fertility New Zealandexternal link