Trying to conceive is an exciting process in life, but for many couples, it’s not as simple as waking up and deciding you’re ready for a baby. In reality, people in their 20s and even early 30s only have about a 25% chance of getting pregnant in a single menstrual cycle. To help you optimize your conception journey, here are some steps to take when trying to conceive.
Start tracking your cycle
The first step when trying to conceive is to stay in tune with your cycle. Tracking your period can provide insight into ovulation, fertile days, and more. Getting in touch with your body can benefit you in many ways, and it’s beneficial when you want to get pregnant.
Have intercourse during your fertile window
Once you’ve established the fertile days when you’re ovulating, that is the best time to have intercourse if you’re trying to conceive a baby. Try not to stress about this time, but instead, use it as a guide and have fun with your partner!
Take a prenatal vitamin
Many OB/GYN providers recommend taking a prenatal vitamin before you actively try to get pregnant. Taking a prenatal vitamin gets your body ready for pregnancy and can be beneficial if you conceive earlier than expected. Prenatal vitamins are high in folic acid, which can help with embryo development and reduce the chance of birth defects.
Eat a healthy diet
Maintaining a balanced diet that includes protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates can help prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy. Adhering to this nutritious diet can also benefit your partner’s fertility, as eating well may help increase sperm production.
Get active
Regular exercise isn’t just essential for your overall health but can also benefit you during your pregnancy journey. Not only does exercise condition your body and help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, but it can also reduce stress, which impedes fertility.
Limit alcohol consumption
Reducing your alcohol consumption while trying to conceive is important because alcohol can interfere with your baby’s organ development, which occurs in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Limiting alcohol can also benefit your partner’s fertility as it allows for higher sperm production. If you’re actively trying to get pregnant, you should cut back on alcohol.
Quit smoking
If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, it’s time to quit smoking. Not only will this positively affect the health of your pregnancy, but it can also benefit your odds of conception. Smoking has been linked to various health conditions and fertility-related problems in both men and women, so it’s best to quit before taking the next step in building a family.
Reduce stress
Stress may not seem like a big deal, but it can negatively impact fertility if it goes unmanaged. In many cases, the stress of not getting pregnant can lead to more problems with infertility, but once this stress subsides, the chances of conceiving increase. This is why you’ll frequently hear stories of couples conceiving naturally after choosing to adopt. Once the stress of having a child has been lifted, it then becomes easier to conceive.
Look out for your partner’s health
As we previously mentioned, many of the steps women can take to increase their fertility can also be applied to their male partners. Women are not solely responsible for infertility; in fact, approximately one-third of infertility is attributed to the female partner, one-third is attributed to the male partner, and one-third is caused by a combination of problems in both partners or is unexplained. In addition to regular exercise, eating well, and limiting alcohol and smoking, men should also avoid excessive heat to contribute to healthy sperm if men are looking to boost their fertility by taking a male fertility supplement with added testosterone.
Get in Touch With Us
If you’re just beginning your conception journey, or if you’ve been struggling to become pregnant, the team at Green Valley OB/GYN is here to support you. If you have been actively trying to conceive for a year and have not become pregnant, we have fertility services that may be able to help. To schedule an appointment with a provider, contact us online or give us a call at (336) 378-1110.