Couples usually assume there’s not much to getting pregnant. They stop using birth control and wait for nature to take its course.
Many times, this is all it takes for a successful pregnancy. But for couples who want to minimize the possibility of delays or complications, there are a few simple ways to make getting pregnant easier.
1. Choose lubricants with care. Check labels carefully to avoid using lubricants that contain spermicide.
2. Get healthy. This goes for both propsective parents, who should quit smoking, stop drinking too much, and stop using sleep medications, caffeinne and other chemicals. Regular exercise and a healthy diet and lifestyle will increase the odds of pregnancy.
3. Take supplements. Men can take a fish oil supplement to improve sperm quality. Fish oil can also improve egg quality. Women should also start taking a quality prenatal vitamin in preparation for pregnancy.
4. Eliminate stress. Couples should do whatever it takes to eliminate as much stress as possible from their lives. Stress is estimated to be the cause of as much as 30% of infertility cases.
Make the Most of Ovulation
There’s a “window of opportunity” each month when it comes to getting pregnant. When a woman ovulates, her body releases an egg that may be fertilized.
Although many women believe they ovulate on the 14th day of their menstural cycle, this isn’t always or even usually the case. Today there are much more reliable ways to detect ovulation than by guessing it’s around the middle of your cycle.
Track BBT (basal body temperature). A slight increase may indicate ovulation. Women should check and record their temeratures at the same time every day.
Monitor cervical fluid. Cervical fluid may change in consistency at ovulation. Many women report it changes to resemble raw eggwhites.
Check the position of the cervix. The cervix may feel higher up in the vagina and harder to reach during ovulation.
Ovulation kits (OPKs). These kits detect hormones that signal ovulation and are available over the counter.
Many women find they can easily predict ovulation after using one or more of these methods for a couple of months.
Couples should keep in mind that an egg can only be fertilized for around 12 to 24 hours after ovulation. Sperm however can live in the body for 3 to 5 days. Babymaking sex should start 5 days prior to ovulation and continue for at least two days couples believe an egg has been released.
How To Tell If You Are Pregnant
Trying to get pregnant is exciting, and many couples are eager to find about pregnancy as soon as possible. Home pregnancy tests can detect the pregnancy hormone in urine about a week after a missed period. Blood tests performed at a doctor’s office can detect pregnancy much sooner, within just days of ovulation.
A couple that’s tried for a few months to get pregnant without success shouln’t jump to conclusions. If couples start to stress about getting pregnant, they can actually prevent it from happening!
A better approach is to stay healthy and take a relaxed approach to baby making. It’s not uncommon for it to take a year or even longer for perfectly “fertile” couples to make a baby.
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