The Top 10 Tips & Tricks to Getting Pregnant — FAST!

Conception is a complex process that takes time. For some women, it might happen on the first try, but for others, it can take longer. If you’re planning on starting a family, follow these 10 steps for the best chance of conceiving a healthy baby.

1. Get a full medical check-up

Before you start to try for a baby, talk to your OB-GYN/doctor. During the first preconception check-up, your doctor will review your medical history and arrange some tests to evaluate your reproductive health. These may include:

• an AMH blood test to assess your ovarian reserve
• checks for medical issues and genetic conditions that could be inherited
• STI checks (e.g. HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea)

Your doctor may also ask questions about your general lifestyle, providing diet and exercise tips to optimise your chances of conceiving. Ask any questions that you might have about fertility and pregnancy.

2. Make use of an ovulation calendar

Tracking your ovulation can help identify patterns that make conception a lot easier. Your most fertile days (also known as a fertile window) are the three days leading up to (and including ovulation). Common methods of calculating your ovulation period include:

• body basal temperature (BBT) charting
• cervical mucus monitoring
• saliva ferning microscope
• ovulation tests
• ovulation monitoring kit

Use an ovulation calendar to help you better understand when you’re ovulating, as this is the time you’re most likely to get pregnant.

3. Maximise your baby-making sex

Once you’ve identified your fertile window, schedule your intimate sessions according to your ovulation period. Having sex every other day works just as well as having sex every day since sperm can live within the body for up to seven days. To increase the likelihood of getting pregnant fast, doctors recommend intercourse at least three to four times a week during the month.

Avoid lubricant

Don’t use lubricants as these can reduce the motility of your sperm (or can even cause sperm to die before reaching the egg). Use natural alternatives instead, such as canola oil, coconut oil, olive oil, aloe vera and vaseline.

Best sex position

Don’t worry too much about the ideal position for getting pregnant — according to science, there isn’t one! However, make sure that you’re not in a gravity-defying position that can make it more difficult for sperm to travel. Rest in bed for about 15 min after sex, which is the approximate time needed for sperm to reach the cervix.

No vaginal douching

Women should avoid washing the inside of the vagina with water or other fluids. This can remove cervical secretions and prevent sperm from meeting the egg.

4. Change the habits that are bad for your health

There’s growing evidence that lifestyle can alter reproductive function in both women and men, leading to subfertility or infertility. If you’re hoping for a baby, review your lifestyle choices and break the bad habits.

Unhealthy lifestyle choices that may reduce your chances for a baby:

While there are safe limits for caffeine intake, smoking should be avoided altogether, and it’s best to stop drinking (in case you conceive and aren’t aware). Try to avoid harmful chemicals that can be found in artificial dyes, acetone-based products, perfumes/body sprays, canned foods, house paints, anti-aging creams (with retinoids), body care products containing parabens and over-the-counter medicines.

5. Improve your diet

You don’t have to wait until you’re pregnant to start eating healthily. Start following a healthy fertility diet in advance.

Some of the best foods for a healthy pregnancy include:

• Foods rich in antioxidants
• High-fibre foods (whole grains, fruits, vegetables and beans)
• Unrefined carbs (whole wheat, brown rice, oatmeal)
• Vegetable proteins (lentils, beans, nuts and seeds)
• High-fat dairy products

Having a balanced breakfast can help women with fertility issues (such as PCOS) conceive faster.

6. The power of folic acid

Folic acid (also known as vitamin B9) is essential for normal foetal development. Adequate levels of this micronutrient prevent brain and spine defects. Although the recommended dose of folic acid is 400 microgram (mcg) per day, consult your doctor to determine the right amount for you.

7. Exercise, but don’t overdo it

Light-to-moderate exercises may result in better pregnancy results than strenuous activities since these can disrupt your menstrual cycle and reduce the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the baby. However, women with a high BMI should do more moderate-to-vigorous activities (such as brisk walking, bicycling, gardening) to help them lose weight and improve fertility.

Here are some general exercise guidelines to follow when trying to conceive:

• 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity/week
• 75 minutes of vigorous activity/week

Talk to a doctor or fitness professional to get personal exercise recommendations based on your medical history and weight loss/gain goals.

8. Manage your stress levels

Stress is a major factor that affects conception and reducing it may improve your odds. Some simple ways to promote relaxation and inner peace include:

• meditation
• progressive muscle relaxation
• yoga
• deep breathing
• walking in nature
• aromatherapy
• hobbies that involve creativity
• positive self-talk
• spending time with friends and family

9. Your partner should care about his reproductive health, too

Tight underwear (such as briefs) can reduce sperm count, leading to low sperm count and reduced fertility. In a study, men who wore tight underwear had higher levels of FSH, meaning that underwear likely interferes with sperm function.

Men should also avoid hot tubs, saunas and taking hot showers after sex. Keeping mobiles and laptops near or on their testicles can damage sperm count and motility, but these effects are reversible.

10. Don’t panic if you don’t conceive the first — or sixth — month

If you’re planning on getting pregnant fast, you may feel the urge to take multiple pregnancy tests. It’s generally recommended to do so when your period is late by a few days. Taking a pregnancy test too soon can be misleading and disappointing for both you and your partner. It can also change your perception of how long it actually takes to conceive.

Don’t worry if you don’t get pregnant right away: it can take months before you become pregnant.

Be proactive when trying to conceive

Around 90% of couples will conceive within the first year of trying, while the rest will struggle to conceive naturally — and may need medical help. Fertility Booking offers on-demand telemedicine consultation with your favourite doctor from anywhere in the world. Enjoy easy online appointment scheduling, phone calls and virtual doctor visits for free — all from the comfort of your house!

Originally published at https://blog.fertilityconnected.com on October 10, 2019.