Fertility therapy can be associated with a greater chance of having a multiple pregnancy. These days, twins tend to be relatively safe for both mother and babies. But triplets and higher multiples can come with far more risks.

Many women feel responsible for a couple’s inability to become pregnant. But in reality, 30% of the time it’s solely the man’s issue, and close-to 50% of the time, the male factor is at least contributing to the couple’s fertility issues.

It’s been estimated that 15 to 30 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage. This percentage increases as a woman ages beyond 35. The majority of miscarriages result from non-repeatable causes.

It’s a misconception that all infertility therapy is expensive and not very successful. In fact, the cost of most fertility therapies is covered by your provincial health care plan.

Studies have shown that a woman is producing an egg on a regular basis as long as her menstrual cycle is between 25 and 35 days. Pinpointing the specific day by taking your temperature, or using an expensive ovulation predictor kit, is not as reliable as once believed.

We all experience the stress of everyday living. However couples who are trying to get pregnant and haven’t been successful can suffer from compounded stress. In the same way that stress affects every other system in the body, it can also affect the reproductive system.

Studies have estimated that a woman who smokes cigarettes retains only one-eighth of her natural fertility for as long as she smokes. The statistic is the same for a man. If both partners smoke, a couple’s natural fertility is compromised even further.

Because a woman is born with all her eggs, they age along with her. What does this mean in practical terms? A woman’s natural fertility diminishes exponentially as she ages.

Infertility is a problem that involves both partners. As a couple, you’re in this together. It’s important to remember that there is no guilty party, and you should not blame yourself.

In our last 'Quick Read', we addressed a few common misconceptions about how to get pregnant. This month, we continue the series: