How to Improve your Chances of Getting Pregnant

Written By Karli Steenkamp 

One of the biggest decisions you make in life is to have a baby. It can help to prepare your body for a pregnancy and make sure that you are healthy to give your fetus the best head start and growing space for the next nine months.

You also want to improve your chances of getting pregnant, once you make the big decision, you would want to fall pregnant sooner rather than later. There are a few things you can do to make sure you and your body is ready for this miracle to happen. 

Improving your lifestyle 

You have to assess your lifestyle to help improve your chances of getting pregnant. Only a few small changes can already have a significant improvement to your fertility. Smoking decreases fertility. It might be a good idea to quit smoking before you fall pregnant. If you do not smoke, make sure that you are not surrounded by second hand smoking as this can also affect your health. Alcohol consumption should be down to a minimum or even better, avoided all together. Recreational drugs should be stopped immediately. These lifestyle changes are not only for you, but for your partner as well. The healthier both of you, the healthier the fetus can be. 

It is never too late to start a good exercise routine. Start walking or jogging in your neighborhood, ride a bike or go to the gym. Keeping fit helps improve your chances of getting pregnant. It has been proven that people that are overweight takes longer to fall pregnant. 

With a good exercise plan goes a good eating plan. Try and cut out as much junk food as you can and eat foods that have lots of nutrients. Certain foods can help boost fertility and these are foods that you can easily make a part of your life. Antioxidants are good to boost fertility and these can be found in fruits, vegetables and nuts. Try not to eat too many carbs and eat foods with lots of fiber. 

What is next? 

Visit your gynecologist to ensure that you are in good health to carry a baby to full term. Your doctor can do an internal check and make sure that everything looks fine. Your doctor might do a blood test to see your blood group which is important to know.

The doctor will check up on your HIV status and if you have been vaccinated for rubella and chicken pox. These diseases can be harmful to your baby if you should get them while pregnant. Folic Acid will be prescribed. Folic acid helps the fetus’s growth. A multi-vitamin should also be taken daily to help you keep healthy and also give your baby the nutrients it needs.   

Trying… 

When trying to conceive, you should keep track of your cycle. This way you can work out when you ovulate. Ovulation usually occurs 14 days after your period started, if you have a 28 day cycle. You should have sex every day when you ovulate so that you improve your chances to conceive.

You only have a few days to make it count. If you struggle to find out when you ovulate, find a ovulation calculator on the internet to help you keep track. They are usually quite accurate. There are also ovulation sticks you can purchase at a pharmacy that works like a pregnancy test. 

The sooner it is possible to start a family, the better. Fertility chances fall drastically as women get older. Therefore it is important to not wait too long to have a baby. If you have been trying to conceive for more than twelve months, you might have to consult your doctor.

If your over 35, you must consult your doctor if you do not fall pregnant within six months. During this process you must try and relax and not be too anxious about conceiving. When your body is ready, it will happen and you need to relax and stay positive during this time. Stressing about it can delay the process. Enjoy your last few weeks with your partner, because as soon as you conceive it will be baby all the way. 

References: 

Healthline
Your fertility