Tips to Improve your Chance of Pregnancy
(746 Words)
So you are ready to have a baby. Once you make this life-altering decision, you may assume that the difficult part is done and that you will get pregnant the first time you skip the birth control, but the truth is that it can take a while to get pregnant. Only 30% get pregnant in the first cycle, 59% within three cycles and 80% within six. Learn the steps that can increase your chances.
Before you start trying…
You can increase your chances of getting pregnant even before you start trying. First you want to make sure that you are in good enough health to get pregnant. If you have any medical conditions, discuss with your doctor any complications that may affect conceiving or pregnancy. Some women specifically go to their obstetricians/gynecologists for an appointment. This is important because you want to start prenatal vitamins a few months before you start to get pregnant because it takes a while for these important birth-defect fighting substances to accumulate in your body.
Your lifestyle will also affect your chances of getting pregnant. If you have unhealthy lifestyle habits of smoking, excessive drinking or drugs, then you may negatively affect your chances of getting pregnant.
If you have been on birth control pills, you should stop them in advance. For some women, it takes a little while to get their bodies back into a good cycle.
Timing
Your chances of getting pregnant range greatly depending on the timing of your attempts. Most women get pregnant if they have intercourse in the few days before or the day that they ovulate. Sperm can live for about a week in the women’s body, so you can still get pregnant if you have intercourse and the sperm essentially waits until the egg’s release. Shortly after the egg is released, if it is not fertilized your chances will pass. Many women will try to have intercourse multiple times in this period to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Predicting ovulation
Now that you know that your chances of getting pregnant are affected by how close you are to ovulation, then you need to try to get an idea of when you ovulate. One great way is through ovulation testing kits. Some products include Clearblue Digital Ovulation Tests, 20-Count Box and First Response Easy-Read One-Step Ovulation Predictor Test, 7-Test Kit. These painless, non-invasive tests are easily carried out at home and can give you an idea of when you might be ovulating. You can then time your attempts.
Another way to predict ovulation is through basel body temperature. A women’s temperature chances ever-so-slightly as she passes through the time in her cycle. It can be tricky, but you can predict ovulation based on this. You take the temperature in the morning with a basel thermometer, which can show very small changes. Usually it will be 97.2 to 97.7 degrees F, but you may notice a .4 to 1 degree rise after you ovulate until your menstrual period. It may go up randomly at other times, but it will remain high if you have ovulated. You can get an idea of when you normally ovulate and time your attempts to that.
Miscellaneous information
There are many other small measures that may help you get pregnant. A 2009 study by researchers in Amsterdam saw an increase in pregnancy for women who lay flat for fifteen minutes after insemination. Pregnancy was increased by 50%. Try to stay calm because stress can affect your hormones, and your ovulation can become less predictable. Even men can increase the chances from their end by lowering their intake of alcohol and tobacco products, eating a healthy diet and avoiding hot tubs, which can affect sperm.
If you have trouble…
You do not need to run off to your doctor if you do not get pregnant your first month trying or even your second or third. Everything can be completely normal and it can simply take a few months. However, if the months continue to pass without success, then it is possible you will need some extra help in the form of a medication such as Clomid. Your physician can do tests if necessary. They can also help you know when you ovulate and evaluate early miscarriages.
Although getting pregnant can be a challenge, most are successful, even those fighting fertility issues. The above tips can help you increase your chances as you wait for your little miracle.
Sources:
http://www.babycenter.com/getting-pregnant
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/gettingpregnant/
http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/features/getting-pregnant-ways-to-improve-your-fertility