Conception and fertility

My dear sister Rania shared with me some amazing reminders to aid the Muslimah who may be experiencing fertility and/or conception issues.

The first is Du’a (prayer) to Allah, and second is Isteghfar (asking for forgiveness).

First:

And when my servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the supplicant when he calls upon Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me, that they may walk the right way. (2:186)

Call unto Me, I will answer you. Those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell. (40:60)

Our Prophet (SAW) has said: What is destined cannot be averted except through Dua.

Another Hadith says: Indeed caution cannot save you from what is destined, but what can save you from it is Dua.

Imam Ja`far as-Sadiq often encouraged his companions to ask from Allah. He once said to Maysar, his companion : O Maysar! Supplicate, and do not say the affair has been destined. Surely there are ranks with Allah which cannot be reached except through asking. If the servant (of Allah) closes his mouth and does not ask, he will not be given anything, so ask and you will get. O Maysar, the door that is knocked often is most likely to open.

A believer who prays and asks from Allah, is guaranteed one of three things:
-Either his du`a is answered immediately.
-Or he is given a reward for it for the Hereafter .
-Or a difficulty is averted from him .

Second:

‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord; for He is Oft-Forgiving;

He will send rain to you in abundance;

Give you increase in wealth and sons; and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers (of flowing water). (Sura #71- Nooh)

Keep praying and asking for forgiveness and in sha’a Allah your wish will be granted

Infertility can affect 1 out of every 6 couples

And despite a common fallacy — that it’s a woman’s problem — fertility difficulties are equally as likely to be caused by male difficulties. It is a combined issue in about 20 percent of infertility cases.

For women, it is most commonly a problem with ovulation

For men, it is mostly sperm health or motility.

Some aspects to consider:

Be at a healthy body weight. Being overweight or underweight can have adverse affects.

Get acupuncture. Acupuncture increases the chances of implantation and increases blood circulation to the uterus. (Journal of Fertility and Sterility, 2003)

Relax. Stress is a fertility killer. You need progesterone for pregnancy. When a body is stressed, it redirects to produce the stress hormone, cortisol, instead of creating progesterone.

In general, the chance of getting pregnant in one year is about 90 percent until age 34. It drops to 67 percent by age 40, and after age 45, it declines to 15 percent.

Stress can reduce sperm count and stop ovulation.

Breastfeeding can decrease ovulatory function, but doesn’t stop it. It depends on the woman. (Conceptions)

Good glycemic control prior to conception can decrease birth defects. And women with pre-diabetes glucose intolerance can have disrupted ovulation.

If you have had a heart attack, liver or kidney failure these significant, life-threatening medical conditions may decrease the chance of pregnancy until treated or resolved.

Masturbation can temporarily lower sperm count. It cannot make you sterile.

Overheating by use of whirlpools or saunas may temporarily reduce sperm count.

Men wearing tight underwear can increase the temperature of the testes, and decrease chance of pregnancy.

Drugs, alcohol and smoking will alter pregnancy rates.

Too much caffeine can alter probability of conception.

Unnecessarily use of over-the-counter drugs, including ibuprofen can inhibit prostaglandins and inhibit ovulation.

Chronic anemia can affect ovulation.

Too much or too little thyroid hormone can interrupt ovulation.

Use of petroleum-based lubricants, including spermicides, oils or Vaseline are harmful to sperm.

Cells exposed to significant levels of radiation may take up to two years to resume normal sperm production or, in severe cases, may never recover.

Adapted from: (SOURCE)