For many couples, the prospect of starting a family is a dream. When trying to conceive, it’s important to adopt healthy habits and make informed decisions in order to maximise your chances of success. Let’s take a look at how to improve your chances of conceiving a baby and starting your journey of parenthood.
Understand your menstrual cycle
Understanding your menstrual cycle is one of the most important things to do when trying to get pregnant. Think of it like a road map to help increase your chances of conception. Your menstrual cycle is what helps your body to prepare for a possible pregnancy. It is divided into four key stages:
Menstruation: This is when you get your period. The body sheds the uterine lining, signalling the start of your cycle.
Follicular phase: As your period finishes, the body prepares for ovulation. Your body’s hormones cause the ovaries to form follicles (tiny sac-like structures that hold eggs).
Ovulation: Ovulation is a magical time! One of the follicles produces an egg. This egg now moves through your fallopian tube, ready for a possible encounter with sperm. This is when you’re most fertile – and timing is everything!
Luteal phase: If the egg is not fertilised, your body enters into the luteal phase. During this phase your hormones prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If a pregnancy does not happen, your cycle will restart.
Those fertile days around ovulation are your prime time for making a baby. Figuring out when you ovulate can be a game-changer.
What to do when trying to get pregnant naturally: Top tips
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle
A balanced diet, which is rich in essential nutrients, such as folic acid, iron, and other vitamins can help support fertility both in women and men. Additionally, studies have shown that regular exercise can positively impact your chances of pregnancy. Simple activities like walking, yoga, or swimming can help you stay active without needing to commit to anything too high-intensity like spinning.
- Reduce unhealthy habits
Kick some bad habits to the curb. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can harm both male and female fertility by negatively impacting the quality of sperm and eggs. Caffeine intake should also be moderated, along with consumption of highly processed foods such as sugar, cereals, ready to eat meals, and meat, as they can negatively impact conception.
- Schedule a preconception checkup
Consider scheduling preconception checkups with your healthcare provider. These sessions allow the doctor to assess your overall health and ensure you’re in good form for pregnancy. Finding a fertility clinic in London is now easier than ever before, and can provide you with an ideal space to discuss any concerns or questions that you may have about becoming pregnant.
- Have regular, timed intercourse
Remember to keep the joy alive by having frequent intercourse when trying for a baby. During your peak reproductive days, often around ovulation, it is suggested to have sex every 2-3 days. This increases the likelihood of sperm encountering a waiting egg, resulting in the ideal setting for conception. Remember, attempting to conceive should be a joyous experience, so treasure the intimacy and connection with your spouse during this journey.
- Manage stress levels
Managing stress levels when trying to get pregnant is difficult, we know, but essential for creating an optimal setting for conception. Stress reduction practices such as meditation and deep breathing exercises can assist in reducing cortisol, the stress hormone, high levels of which are thought to have a potential impact on ovulation. Additionally, partaking in activities that you enjoy and exploring new hobbies can help to reduce tension and encourage calm. However, if stress and worry are impacting your wellbeing significantly, it is advised to speak with a professional counsellor or therapist.
- Tracking your cycle
When trying to get pregnant, tracking your menstrual cycle is a useful practice as it can significantly boost your chances of success. You may focus your efforts on the most fertile periods of the month by studying your ovulation and determining your peak days. Fertility tracking apps can make this procedure a breeze by predicting when your ovulation is likely to occur. Once you’re aware of this, you and your partner can make plans to have intercourse on these favourable days, boosting the chances of sperm meeting egg. These applications often come with basic calendars and notifications, making it easy to be on top of your cycle and make the most of your reproductive window.
- Optimise your partner’s health
When you’re trying to conceive, keep in mind that your partner’s health is just as important as your own. Encourage your spouse to adopt a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating a balanced diet and avoid harmful habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Taking these actions can help improve the quality of the sperm, which can contribute to easier conception and a healthier pregnancy. It is also a good idea for you both to consider fertility tests to ensure that your reproductive systems are in excellent health for this exciting chapter of your lives. Your combined efforts can make a significant difference.
Journey to parenthood
Getting to know your menstrual cycle is like unlocking the secret code to optimising your chances of becoming a parent. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, reducing unhealthy habits, scheduling preconception checkups, and having regularly timed intercourse are all essential steps to optimise your fertility journey.
Remember, patience and perseverance are key, and seeking guidance from healthcare professionals when needed, can make the process smooth and rewarding.