If you’re trying to conceive, you may be wondering, “What are helpful tips for getting pregnant?” Conception is a tricky business because there are often many confounding factors ““ like sperm count problems, ovulation issues, blocked fallopian tubes. It’s easy for some women to get pregnant, while it takes others weeks and months before they get that positive pregnancy test.
Must-Do Tips for Getting Pregnant
- Get in shape! Women who are overweight may have a harder time getting pregnant due to ovulation problems. You can still get pregnant if you have a few extra pounds, but conception may take longer to occur. To boost your chances for getting pregnant, you should try to lose weight with healthy eating habits and regular exercise. (Obesity also complicates your pregnancy and puts you at higher risk for gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, so losing weight beforehand may make your pregnancy experience a smoother journey.)
- Aim for moderate exercise three times a day. There are many health benefits of regular exercise, and when you’re trying to conceive, working out at least three times a week may actually help you make a baby. Aim for half an hour of aerobic exercise ““ like walking or jogging ““ at least three days a week. Make sure you don’t overdo it though. Too much exercise can cause ovulation problems. Moderation is key.
- Eat a healthy diet. The foods you eat can go a long way to help you conceive. An unhealthy diet with empty calories can make it harder for your body to do its job of getting your womb ready to nourish a baby for nine months. Ovulation may also be thrown out of whack if you don’t eat well. For the best reproductive health, make sure that you eat a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, fish and seafood, lean meats, and whole grains. Take a prenatal vitamin to fill in the voids. We recommend New Chapter Organics Perfect Prenatal Vitamins available here.
- Give up your morning cup of coffee, or try decaf. Excessive caffeine consumption has been linked to infertility in mice and conception problems in humans. Even drinking three cups of coffee each day can lower your risk of conceiving by 27 percent. If you’ve been actively trying to conceive, you may want to heed this tip for getting pregnant.
- Make love at least three times a week. This is the number one tip for getting pregnant. You can’t make a baby unless you have sex! Some couples like to time everything perfectly for their ovulation, but make sure that you have plenty of sex even if you don’t think you’re ovulating. Remember that sperm can stay alive inside your body for several days, and there’s always a chance that you ovulate early or later than expected.
- Schedule a preconception checkup. If you’re trying to get pregnant, you should go visit a doctor and get a checkup. You may have an underlying health problem that can either make it harder for you to get pregnant, or one that can cause problems during your pregnancy. You want any underlying problems to be under control before you get pregnant.
- Get to know your menstrual cycle. To have the best chances of conceiving, you should know all about ovulation, the symptoms of ovulation, and when you’re most fertile in your cycle. Signs of ovulation typically include thin, watery, mucus discharge. Women with 28-day cycles will ovulate on day 14 (two weeks after the first day of your period). You may want to buy an ovulation prediction kit to help you out.
- Lay in bed for 15 minutes after sex. For the first ten or fifteen minutes after having sex, don’t get up. Lay in bed (you can place your feet in the air, if you want) to help the sperm stay in the cervix. Don’t go to the bathroom or restroom during this period.
- Lower your stress level. Stress can negatively impact ovulation and conception. It can make it harder for you to easily conceive. Try to reduce your stress level with the help of exercise, meditation, acupuncture, and yoga. If possible, avoid stressful situations.
- Make sure that you are emotionally prepared to be a mother. Babies may be cute and adorable, but they are a lot of responsibility. Motherhood is a 24/7, 365 days a year job that you cannot take a “vacation” from. Make sure that you are prepared for the ups and downs of being a parent before you try to conceive.
Do you have suggestions for other must-do tips for getting pregnant? Let us know in the comments below.
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