How can we get pregnant faster and have a healthy baby?

There is a lot of education in school about how to not get pregnant. But there are no school courses teaching you how to get pregnant.

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For many couples getting pregnant is easy, but for others getting pregnant can take a long time. Many will have to resort to reproductive technology. For this reason, there is a growing number of couples who take the first step in trying to get pregnant by learning about all the ways they can improve their chances. If your goal is to get pregnant faster and have a healthy pregnancy, you can benefit the most from taking these everyday steps. First, follow this preconception to-do list.



Top fertility tips

First, make sure you know your menstrual periods/bleeding and cycle length to find out that you are ovulating or not. Find out when you are fertile (the "fertile window"). Then have sex once a day or every other day during your fertile window.

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Have him check his sperms (sperm analysis). About 50% of couples with fertility issues have sperm problems and get him tested too late. Consider taking daily a low-dose Aspirin. There are studies showing it may improve implantation and conception. Be at your optimal weight. Calculate the BMI and find out your best weight Follow a fertility diet. Take a daily folic acid and preconception vitamin supplement including 600-800 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid for at least 3 months before getting pregnant to help prevent birth defects and improve your pregnancy chances. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol. If you have a medical condition, be sure it is under control. Some conditions include asthma, diabetes, oral health, obesity, or epilepsy. Also, be sure that your vaccinations are up to date. Have sex regularly 2-3 times a week. Every week. Plus every 1-02 days on your fertile window. Calculate it here. Talk to a health care professional about any over-the-counter and prescription medicines you are taking. These include dietary or herbal supplements. Avoid contact with toxic substances or materials that could cause infection at work and at home. Stay away from chemicals and cat or rodent feces. Do the babyMed online fertility test to make sure you are fertile. Get your vaccinations and infection screening before you are pregnant. Consider holistic and alternative fertility therapies including yoga, meditation, hypnosis, mind/body therapy, herbs, supplements, and acupuncture. Research has shown evidence for the effectiveness of mind-body interventions and that yoga can improve pregnancy rates. In addition, other research has shown that yoga can improve fertility in men by improving sperm parameters. There is also research that shows that both acupuncture and mind/body therapy could improve fertility.

Fertility basics

There’s a 25% chance this month: With every menstrual cycle, you have a 25% chance of becoming pregnant if you're having unprotected sex, ovulate regularly, and if your partner has enough sperm. Any problems with your fallopian tubes, your ovulation, or his sperm and your chances of getting pregnant decrease significantly. It can even be zero without ovulation, without any sperm, or with closed/non-functioning fallopian tubes.

Start with our fertility and ovulation calendar, pregnancy calendar, and Chinese sex gender calendar chart.

14 may not be your magic number: You may have heard that ovulation and the best chance for pregnancy occur on day 14, after the first day of your last period. However, your own menstrual cycle length will vary wildly over the course of your life so don’t get stuck on the number 14. Plus, your fertile days end on the day of ovulation, and the very best days for having sex are the 4-5 days before and the day of ovulation. You need to find out your "fertility or fertile window" for your most fertile days. This fertile window is different for each woman and based on the cycle length. There is a range of 4-5 days in each cycle when there is a high chance that ovulation may happen.

Sex after ovulation will not get you pregnant

Once an egg leaves the ovary, it must be fertilized within 12 to 24 hours or it’s too late. The egg dies off after 24v hours. Since it’s almost impossible to know the exact time of ovulation, and even in regular cycles, ovulation can happen on different days. fertilization might be more likely if there’s plenty of little swimmers already there, waiting for the magic moment. Sperm lives several days in the female body so stock up in advance.

Improving her fertility

Improving his fertility

Am I pregnant? That is often the very first question asked on babyMed.

The healthier you both are, the healthier the pregnancy



The more that is learned about making babies, the more it becomes obvious that having mom and dad in optimum health helps conception occur faster. Get in good shape before trying to conceive by starting a diet rich in folic acid and folate (leafy greens, spinach, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts) to ensure that the baby’s brain and nervous system get off to the best start just days after conception. Drink lots of water and eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, calcium, and vitamins. Both of you should be at your optimum weight, including him.

Take our fertility and pregnancy quizzes!

Schedule a preconception examination

Preconception health is vital, especially if there are issues that can best be resolved before pregnancy. Schedule a visit for you and your partner to tackle any existing issues and optimize your health before getting pregnant.

Take folic acid

You must start a preconception vitamin plus folic acid at least 1-2 months before conception. A daily dose of 400-600 mcg of folic acid is recommended to decrease the risk of fetal neural tube defects (NTD) and other malformations. Ideally, it should be taken at least 1-2 months prior to conception in order to work well.

Recent studies have shown that additional beneficial effects of folate on fertility were observed at levels well above those that are currently recommended for the prevention of NTDs. Infertile women taking increased amounts of folic acid were more likely to get pregnant when compared to those not taking supplemental folic acid. To improve fertility and also decrease miscarriages the dose should be 600-800 mcg folate instead of 400 mcg.

Folic acid is a B vitamin. When taken before and early in pregnancy, it helps prevent birth defects of nervous tissue, the brain, and the spinal cord. Some studies show it can also prevent miscarriage, stroke, autism, and certain cancers.

Folic acid is available as a supplement, in multivitamins and food. Every fertile woman should take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day before pregnancy and during early pregnancy, and 4000 micrograms if you have already had a pregnancy affected by a birth defect of the brain or spinal cord or if you had a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

You might also consider a comprehensive fertility supplement such as FertilAid for Women that contains the daily recommended amount of folic acid in addition to vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients shown to enhance a woman's fertility.

Strive for an optimal weight

Both extremes of weight affect your fertility, and maintaining an optimal weight improves your chances. The best way to find out if you are at a healthy weight is to calculate your body mass index, BMI.

Know when you are ovulating



Your fertile days are the 4-5 days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation. Finding out when you ovulate is the key. Here are some ways to do it:

Know your sperm count

It takes two to get pregnant. A man's sperm has to be healthy and there are ways to improve sperm count including FertilAid for Men. Male fertility problems affect 50% of couples who can't get pregnant. Men need to make sure they have enough good quality sperm by doing a sperm count. They should also embark on a healthy diet, strive for optimal weight, avoid smoking and drinking, and take a daily vitamin and herbal fertility supplement, like FertilAid for Men, to boost sperm count.

It's all about sex

Many couples don’t seem to realize that how you have sex is crucial when it comes to getting pregnant. That means you should have intercourse regularly throughout the menstrual cycle. Try to have sex once a day every day during your fertile 5-6 days, preferably using a missionary position. Avoid positions where the woman is on top because gravity will allow sperm to leak out. Also, try placing a pillow under your hips to help tilt your pelvis and keep the sperm in longer. Don't get up right after sex. Instead, try to relax and allow the sperm to stay in the vagina as long as possible.

The egg can only be fertilized during the 12-24 hours after ovulation but sperm can live in the lower portion of a woman's reproductive tract up to five days. Having sex before ovulation is helpful but having sex after ovulation is unlikely to get you pregnant.

Exercise regularly

Exercising is healthy and gets your body ready for the strains of pregnancy and labor and delivery. Proper exercise can help throughout your pregnancy by reducing your pregnancy symptoms and increasing your energy. However, it is important to avoid certain types of exercise and to be aware of dangers that could occur with excessive exercise.

Eat a healthy diet

Many doctors now believe diet like the pro-fertility diet can improve your fertility, especially if you have certain ovulation issues. Eating a healthy diet can also reduce birth defects. The right diet can make a difference because the majority of women experiencing ovulatory dysfunction also suffer from undiagnosed or subclinical PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), a condition related to insulin resistance that also affects ovulation.

Eat more monounsaturated fats (like olive oil) and less trans fats (like the kind found in many baked goods or fast foods). Increase intake of vegetable protein (like soy), while reducing animal protein (like red meat). Eat more high fiber, low-glycemic foods — like whole grains, vegetables, and some fruits, while reducing the intake of refined carbohydrates and sugars. Consume moderate amounts of high-fat dairy products — like ice cream, whole milk, and cheese.

No drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol



Smoking, drinking, and taking drugs increases miscarriages and pregnancy complications like premature deliveries. Review all medications you take, including over-the-counter and prescription medications, with your doctor. Most medications are safe, but there are some which can affect your pregnancy. Do not stop any medications that you need unless you discuss it with your doctor first.

Get health insurance



Check your health insurance coverage, review your options for maternity/paternity leave, and make a pregnancy and baby budget.

Reduce stress

It’s rarely healthy to live with a lot of stress and some studies have reported that reducing stress may improve fertility. What can you do to reduce stress?

Cook

Get regular massages

Exercise

Have more sex

Take long weekends off

Listen to music

Do yoga

Read and write journals

Garden

Pamper yourself

Spend more time with your family and friend

Hold hands with your partner

Acupuncture

If you have tried without getting pregnant for some time, check out Why Can't We Get Pregnant?

If you are not trying to get pregnant, you'll want to read, Can I Get Pregnant If...?

What factors affect fertility?

Ovulation: With irregular or no ovulation (anovulation), you cannot get pregnant. In addition, you need to have good quality eggs.

Age: The older you get, the lower are your chances of getting pregnant. Old and bad quality eggs make getting pregnant more difficult. The older the woman is, the longer it takes to get pregnant.

Sperm count: The less sperm he has, the longer it may take to get pregnant. With an abnormal count (that is, below 20 million/cc) your chances of getting pregnant are quite low.

Patency of your fallopian tubes: They must be open and working well for you to get pregnant.

Timing of sex: You must have sex regularly, 2-3 times every week, and especially during your 4-5 fertile days before ovulation, as well as the day of ovulation.

Couple stats

Approximately 40% of couples who are starting out TTC will conceive during the first three months of trying, and about 70% of couples TTC will conceive during the first six months. Up to 85% of couples will conceive within the first year of TTC. Your ability to conceive in any given cycle falls after age 30.

Don't make sex a chore

Keep enjoying sex. Sometimes when couples are trying to conceive, sex becomes a job and is not as fun or romantic. Plan a romantic evening or try something different to spice things up. How you are feeling sexually may factor into your chances of getting pregnant. Some researchers believe that having an orgasm during sex increases your chances of getting pregnant. For women, the spasmodic movements of orgasm will help pull the sperm into the uterus and for men, a better orgasm may increase the man's sperm count.

Every day vs. every other day

Previously, couples trying to conceive (TTC) were told to have sex once every other day during their fertile days. However, recent studies have shown that for the average couple trying to conceive, making love 2-3 times a week, every week, is the best. You may improve your chances further by having sex once a day (as long as his sperm is OK) during the fertile 4-5 days prior to and including ovulation day. In those instances where the man does not have enough sperm (oligospermia), the recommendation of once every other day still holds true.

Sex during 5-6 fertile days

Sex every day: 37% Pregnancy

Sex every other day: 33% Pregnancy

Sex once a week: 15% Pregnancy

Source: "Timing of Sexual Intercourse in Relation to Ovulation -- Effects on the Probability of Conception, Survival of the Pregnancy, and Sex of the Baby" was published in The New England Journal of Medicine (December 7, 1995 -- Vol. 333, No. 23). Allen J. Wilcox, Clarice R. Weinberg, Donna D. Bair

When to see an infertility doctor

If you have not been able to get pregnant, couples should see their doctor after 1 year of trying, or 6 months if the woman is 35 years or older.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has defined infertility as..." the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse". They suggest that …. “couples in whom the female partner is under the age of 35, and who have not conceived after one year of unprotected intercourse, should seek the help of a physician that specializes in the treatment of infertility”.

But ASRM also lists conditions where couples should see an infertility specialist even earlier:

1. Couples, in whom the female partner is over the age of 35, should seek help after six months of being unable to conceive.

2. Couples who have known causes of infertility should seek help from a specialist even sooner.

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If you are just starting out and need more information, read below: