How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Pregnant

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Pregnant

Once you decide to get pregnant, every negative pregnancy test can be a big blow to your confidence. As your goal is probably to conceive as soon as possible, you want to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Here are some tips that can help you on your journey toward parenthood.

Track your menstrual cycle

The first thing you have to pay attention to when you want a baby is your menstrual cycle. See whether it tends to occur regularly every month. By tracking and making sure your period isn’t irregular, you will be able to predict when you might be ovulating. If you need some help in this department, there are many useful apps that you can download.

Monitor your ovulation

As ovulation is the period when your ovaries will release eggs, you want to be aware of when it’s occurring. Ovulation usually happens two weeks before the period but you can also look for changes in your cervical mucus to notice when you start ovulating. Keep in mind that an egg is viable for about a day once it’s released. If the egg is fertilized during this time, it will continue its way to the uterus where it will implant into the uterine lining.

Know when to have sex

While an egg is viable for 24 hours, sperm can survive for up to five days in the female reproductive tract. With that in mind, it’s essential that you get your timing right. If your menstrual cycle is regular, your fertile window will begin seven days before the ovulation and you want to try for a baby during this time frame. Moreover, you don’t have to think about various positions that might be the best for conceiving, as research shows that there is no particular position that is best. However, sitting or standing during intercourse can discourage the sperm from going upstream. Furthermore, you want to stay in bed for 15 minutes after having sex and not go to the bathroom straight away in order to encourage the sperm to get into the cervix.

Eat healthy foods

Being healthy is also a big factor when trying to get pregnant. As being overweight or underweight can reduce your odds of conceiving, you want to eat healthy foods that will prepare your body for pregnancy. For example, add a variety of veggies and fruits to your diet as well as lean protein, whole grains, and dairy products. You want healthy sources of fat and nutrients like calcium and iron. You should also avoid foods high in mercury such as swordfish and king mackerel.

Quit unhealthy habits

In addition to adopting a healthier diet, you want to cut back on some unhealthy habits or quit them altogether. For example, smoking can not only affect your fertility levels but it can also have a detrimental effect on the baby once you conceive. Even second-hand smoke can reduce your chances of getting pregnant. Moreover, it’s recommended you avoid marijuana and other recreational drugs as well as alcohol when trying to make a baby.

Take prenatal vitamins

Medical experts recommend that persons that are trying to get pregnant start taking prenatal vitamins even before actually conceiving. It will allow you to find a vitamin that is agreeable to your system and that you can use during pregnancy. You can also opt for a multivitamin that contains at least 400 mcg of folic acid as this B vitamin is vital for preventing birth defects. Taking folic acid supplements for a month before you start expecting will help your baby’s brain and spine develop properly.

Look for ways to de-stress

Trying to get pregnant without instant results can be very demoralizing. However, by putting pressure on yourself, you are actually making it more difficult to conceive. With that in mind, you want to look for ways how you can de-stress. For example, acupuncture, massages, and light exercise can all be of help. Lastly, you can also just try having sex for fun without any expectations.

Go in for a checkup

Finally, if nothing seems to be working, it’s time to get checked out. Your physician should provide you with useful advice and send you to a specialist that will help you determine whether you or your partner have fertility issues. They will inform you of your options and how you can proceed.

In case you’ve been trying to conceive for a while, you might be overlooking some of these important aspects. From ensuring you are in your fertility window to leaving some bad habits behind, there are several ways how you can modify your approach. Good luck!

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