How to Try to Get Pregnant With One Ovary
Two ovaries are not necessary to conceive a baby. Although some women with one ovary ovulate less frequently or have other fertility issues that make it more difficult to become pregnant, most women with only one ovary ovulate normally and have no problems conceiving.
Two ovaries are not necessary to conceive a baby. Although some women with one ovary ovulate less frequently or have other fertility issues that make it more difficult to become pregnant, most women with only one ovary ovulate normally and have no problems conceiving. Women with only one ovary who wish to conceive a child should talk to a doctor whenever they have concerns about their condition.
Step 1
Visit a doctor. A doctor may perform blood work or an ultrasound to verify that the remaining ovary is releasing eggs and functioning properly. He also may perform other tests to make sure there are no other medical issues that may impair fertility.
Step 2
Use a calendar. Although every woman ovulates at different time during the menstrual cycle, most women will ovulate somewhere between days 11 and 21 of their cycle, with the first day of their cycle being the first day they began bleeding from menstruation, explains the American Pregnancy Association.
Step 3
Look for signs of impeding ovulation during this time period. Women often experience a change in cervical mucus, an increase in basal body temperature or a positive result on an ovulation predictor kit before they ovulate.
Step 4
Have sexual intercourse on the days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation. Eggs survive less than 24 hours after ovulation, according to the American Pregnancy Association, but sperm can survive in a woman’s body for several days. Having sex before ovulation, therefore, increases the likelihood of conception.
Step 5
Take a pregnancy test two weeks after ovulation. If the test is negative, repeat the same process with the next menstrual cycle. While it often takes health couples several months to conceive a child, couples should see a doctor if they are unable to get pregnant within six to 12 months of trying.
Tip
If a doctor determines that a woman with one ovary is not ovulating properly, she may prescribe fertility drugs or suggest an assistive reproductive technology procedure to assist the conception process.
warning
If ovary removal also caused damage to the fallopian tubes or led to the removal of one or both fallopian tubes, getting pregnant may be more difficult. Talk to a doctor if this is the case.