How to Increase the Chances of Getting Pregnant
When you’re ready to have a baby, you can do more than just stop using birth control. Speed things along with the following conception tips:
See your doctor
It is always a good idea to see your doctor for a preconception checkup when you are ready to become a mom. Your doctor can give you valuable feedback and information about conceiving and can be a great source of help.
Make sure your body is prepared
There are a number of things that you can do to prepare your body for pregnancy. First, if you smoke, stop. Avoid alcohol. You also need to exercise and maintain a healthy weight. Cut back on caffeine and eat a healthy diet. You can also help your body get ready for having a baby by taking prenatal vitamins and 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.
Figure out when you ovulate.
Women with very regular 28-day cycles can just count 14 days from the first day of their period to determine their ovulation date. If your cycles aren’t regular, an ovulation kit can help you pinpoint your most fertile time. An ovulation kit will tell you approximately when you will ovulate. Once you get a positive result, you can expect to ovulate in the next day or two. Start having sex as soon as you get a positive result and continue for two or three days after to enhance your chances of conceiving.
Review his health.
It takes two to get pregnant and over 50 percent of infertile couples have a male issue. Make sure your partner avoids alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and any illicit drugs. Men should also avoid heat from hot tubs, saunas, long hot showers, heating pads and tight clothing such as briefs and spandex. Heat can cause a man’s testicles to become too hot which decreases sperm quantity.
Don’t stress.
Reducing stress in your body has been shown to increase ovarian activity. Relax and enjoy yourself! Barring fertility or health problems that can interfere with conception, half of all couples get pregnant within six months and 85 percent do so within a year.
Learn more about maintaining a healthy pregnancy with our expert team, at Baptist Health, dedicated to caring for moms-to-be, new moms, and their babies.
