Deciding to get pregnant is a major life decision. A lot factors in to knowing when is the right time for you and your partner to have a child. Once the decision is made, hopeful mothers can often be anxious to get the process started. There are many statistics out there about pregnancy rates and age and other factors that can be nerve-wracking for women, but those statistics are only a part of the picture. There are some tips to help move the process of getting pregnant along and hopefully help you get pregnant faster. These tips will also help with your health and the health of your future child.
1. See a Doctor: Before becoming pregnant, it is important to have a preconception checkup with your gynecologist. Your doctor will make sure you are healthy enough to get pregnant. Your doctor can also prescribe you prenatal vitamins. Most important, particularly in the early stages of pregnancy is folic acid, which helps prevent birth defects. It is best to start prenatal vitamins at least one menstrual cycle before you start trying to get pregnant.
2. Know Your Cycle: The menstrual cycle is difficult because it varies based on the individual. The traditional structure is 28 days, but most women have either longer or shorter cycles. The first day you get your period is day one of your cycle. The best time to get pregnant is when you are ovulating. In a 28 day cycle, ovulation typically takes place on day 14. But it is best to start testing for ovulation using a kit on around day 9 and continue until you get a positive. Ovulation kits test for luteinizing hormone levels, which begin to surge about 36 hours before ovulation. It is also important to have sex regularly in the days leading up to and during ovulation, but don’t overdo it. Sperm can survive in a woman’s uterus for 72 hours so it is best to begin intercourse prior to ovulation. A woman’s egg is only viable for 12 to 24 hours so it is sometimes better to have sex prior to ovulation or just when ovulation starts.
3. Positions: There are a lot of myths out there about sexual positions and pregnancy. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that one position is better than another, however positions that make it difficult for sperm to travel upstream, such as standing, may not be optimal. It is good to remain horizontal for 10-15 minutes following intercourse, but you don’t need to be in any crazy position, for instance with your feet in the air. Simply, lie down.
4. Take Care of Your Body: It is important to de-stress when you are trying to get pregnant. Although it is difficult, try not to worry about whether or not you will get pregnant. Enjoy the process.Try healthy methods for de-stressing your body, such as acupuncture. Make sure to get enough of the key nutrients and eat healthy. Cut out alcohol and smoking, and cut back on caffeine. Men should do the same as well to help their sperm have the best chance at fertilization. Exercise in moderation. It is good to stay in shape, but do not overdo it because too much exercise can cause you to skip ovulating and shorten the second half of your menstrual cycle.
There is no foolproof way to guarantee you will get pregnant, but if it is going to happen naturally, it will often happen within the first 3-6 months of trying. If you do not get pregnant, you might want to seek help from a doctor, particularly if you are over the age of 35. Just remember the keys to success are to get the timing right and to keep your body healthy and not worry too much.
Image by Sonja Vivienne on Flickr Creative Commons.
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