Here are a few tips that can help women trying to conceive:
For all the women who desire a baby, it is quite important to make some changes in their lifestyle and diet, by doing that they can maximize their chances to conceive.
When trying to conceive all women should put a check on their food, drinks & drug intake, good health, and proper weight increase the chances of getting pregnant by many times. Age also plays a major role in pregnancy, so it is advisable not to postpone having a baby for too long. The couple should sit together and discuss all details, being a parent is not an easy task; both to be parents must be mentally, physically, and economically prepared for the responsibilities.
Visit the doctor for preconception checkups.
It is highly advisable to visit a child specialist for medical checkups. The doctor will have a look at your Gynecological, Obstetric & medical history. He will also ask questions related to vaccinations, medications, allergies, drugs, and lifestyle. Based on your answers he will advise you about taking the necessary steps. The doctor may also screen you for genetic diseases. If both parents suffer from some genetic disorder; there is a 25% chance that it may be transferred to the baby, and the child to suffer from them the whole lifetime.
Apart from a physical test, the doctor may also take some gynecological tests like urine and blood tests, checking your genital area for any kind of infection. Based on the obtained results the doctor will consult about proper medication, vaccination, or other treatment options. This will minimize the chances of the child being born with any kind of birth defect.
Keep track of your menstrual cycle.
By keeping track of their menstrual cycle one can determine if their cycles are regular or irregular. If the periods fall around the same number of days gap each month, it will be considered regular. If the periods vary each month, it will be considered irregular. If one can track menstrual cycles properly she can determine her ovulation period, ovulation is the time when ovaries release an egg inside the fallopian tube, and is repeated every month.
Although a male’s sperm can survive for a longer duration (around 5-6 days), an egg once released, only survives for 12-24 hours. So the couple needs to have intercourse during this limited period, once the egg is infertile there are no chances of conceiving.
Determine the most fertile days by tracking ovulation.
Women can predict their ovulation timings according to their menstrual cycles. If periods are regular, a woman ovulates around 14 days before her next period. If periods are irregular, it can be anywhere between 12-16 days before the next period. To be sure, you can use some urine testing kits available in the open market. The egg is released in the ovary due to an increased level of luteinizing hormone; the kit will test positive when the hormone levels start increasing. Having sex after 2-3 days of testing positive will increase the chances of conceiving.
Another method is keeping track of cervical mucus, when a woman is most fertile the number of cervical mucus increases, which happens to help the sperm get to the egg easily. Monitoring basal body temperature is also used to predict ovulation, during this period the temperature increases by ½ degree (Fahrenheit).
Have sex more frequently during the most fertile days.
As sperm lasts for 6 days, the day of ovulation and 5 days before it is the most fertile day, if you want a baby, you must have intercourse every other day during this period. According to experts having sex two days before the ovulation period results in the maximum number of pregnancies. The position of having sex in no way affects the chances of having a baby. All kinds of vaginal lubricants should be avoided as they restrict sperm from reaching the egg.
More tips to increase your chances of getting Pregnant:
Maintain a healthy diet.
Although eating specific food does not increase a woman’s chances to conceive, eating healthy goods rich in vitamins, calcium, minerals, and other nutrients does prepare your body for giving birth to a healthy baby. Consuming too much caffeine lowers the fertility rate in women; one should also avoid food that may contain mercury, lead, or other harmful substances.
A dietitian or your doctor can advise on what to eat and what to avoid during this time, apart from normal food items they will also recommend consuming folic acid supplements. Avoid food and drinks that increase cholesterol, high levels of cholesterol cause infertility in women.
Maintain ideal body weight.
A women’s body weight also influences her chances to conceive; one with ideal weight has two to four times more chances than an obese or thin woman. Women with BMI greater than 35 are considered overweight, whereas women with BMI less than 19 are considered underweight. Ovulation is also affected by body weight; very thin women will have irregular periods and can stop ovulating. Obese women have a problem with ovulation; this happens due to the production of excess estrogen hormone in the ovaries.
Overweight and underweight women can also have more chances of complications while giving birth.
Avoid heavy workouts and exercise.
Although normal exercises keep a woman in good shape, heavy or excessive workouts interfere with periods and the ovulation process. If you are trying to conceive, and experience such issues, you should cut back on strenuous exercise routines.
Say no to alcohol and smoking.
Limit your caffeine intake.
Ask your partner about to maintain a healthy diet & lifestyle as it increases their sperm count.
If required, take prenatal vitamin supplements, but first you must consult with a doctor or medical expert about it.
The living environment also affects fertility rates. Try to stay calm and stay away from activities that can cause stress or anxiety.