If you are hoping to conceive, do not leave it to chance. Learn how to get pregnant, starting with predicting ovulation and the dos and don’ts for maximizing your fertility.
Some couples seem to achieve pregnancy effortlessly, while for others it takes time. If you’re looking for practical advice on how to get pregnant, here’s what you need to know:
How to get pregnant: predicting ovulation
Knowing when you are approaching ovulation, and having regular sex in the five days before and on the day of ovulation, can improve your chances of conception. Ovulation is the process in which a mature egg is released from the ovary.
Once released, the egg moves down the fallopian tube and remains there for 12 to 24 hours, where it may be fertilized. Sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract for up to five days after sexual intercourse under the right conditions. Your chances of becoming pregnant are highest when live sperm are present in the fallopian tubes during ovulation. In an average 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation typically occurs about 14 days before the start of your next period. However, the length of each person’s cycle can vary, and so can the time between ovulation and the start of the next period. If, like many women, you don’t have a perfect 28-day menstrual cycle, you can determine the length and midpoint of your cycle by keeping a menstrual calendar. Beyond tracking your cycle, you can also look for signs and symptoms of ovulation, such as:
Change in vaginal discharge (cervical mucus). Just before ovulation, you may notice an increase in clear, wet, and stretchy vaginal discharge. Immediately after ovulation, cervical mucus decreases and becomes thicker, cloudy, and less noticeable.
Change in basal body temperature. Your body’s temperature at rest (basal body temperature) rises slightly during ovulation. Using a thermometer designed to measure basal body temperature, take your temperature every morning before getting out of bed.
Record your results and look for a pattern to emerge. You will be most fertile during the two to three days before your temperature rises. You may also want to try an over-the-counter ovulation kit, which can help you determine when you are most likely to ovulate.
These kits test your urine for the surge in hormones that occurs before ovulation. Ovulation typically occurs about 36 hours after a positive result.
Maximizing fertility: what should you do?
Follow these simple tips on how to get pregnant: Have sex regularly. The highest pregnancy rates are seen in couples who have sex every day or every other day. Have sex close to the time of ovulation. If sex every day is not possible or enjoyable, have sex every 2 to 3 days, starting right after your period ends. This can help make sure you have sex when you are most fertile. Maintain a normal weight. Overweight and underweight women are at higher risk of ovulation disorders. Also, consider talking to your doctor about preconception planning. He or she can assess your overall health and help you identify changes that may improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy. Your health care provider will recommend taking folic acid a few months before conception to reduce the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects.
Maximizing fertility: what should you avoid?
To improve your chances of conception: Do not smoke. Smoking has multiple negative effects on fertility, not to mention your general health and the health of a fetus. If you smoke, ask your doctor to help you quit before you start trying to conceive. Do not drink alcohol. Heavy alcohol use can lead to reduced fertility. In general, it is best to avoid alcohol if you are hoping to conceive. Limit caffeine. Research shows that fertility is not affected by caffeine intake below 200 milligrams a day. That is about 1 to 2 cups of coffee a day. Do not overdo intense exercise. Strenuous, intense exercise of more than five hours a week has been associated with reduced ovulation. Also, talk to your doctor about any medications you take. Some medications, even those available without a prescription, can make it harder to conceive.
When to talk to a doctor
With frequent, unprotected sex, most healthy couples conceive within one year. If you are 35 or older and have been trying to get pregnant for six months or more, or if you or your partner know or suspect fertility problems, consider consulting a fertility specialist. Keep in mind that infertility affects both men and women, and treatment is available. Depending on the source of the problem, your gynecologist or your partner’s urologist or family doctor may be able to help. In some cases, a fertility specialist may offer the best chance for success.
More ways to boost your chances of pregnancy
Beyond timing sex correctly, fertility is affected by the daily life of both partners. The changes below do not guarantee conception, but they improve the conditions in which it will happen.
Weight matters for both of you
Both excess weight and very low weight disrupt ovulation. In men, they alter the hormonal profile and reduce sperm production. A body mass index between 19 and 25 is considered the most favorable for conception. If you need to lose or gain weight, start a few months before you begin trying, ideally with guidance from a dietitian.
A diet that supports eggs and sperm
Choose fresh, minimally processed foods: vegetables, fruit, legumes, fish, olive oil, nuts. For your partner, zinc and vitamin C are linked to better sperm motility. The woman starts folic acid (400 μg a day) at least one to three months before conception.
Exercise in moderation
About 30 minutes of moderate exercise, five times a week, helps regulate weight, hormones and stress. Walking, swimming, yoga and Pilates are good choices. Exhausting workouts have the opposite effect.
Less stress, without guilt
Intense, prolonged stress can affect your cycle. You do not need to “relax to get pregnant.” You simply need time for the things that help you unwind. Read more about how stress affects conception.
A three-month plan
Sperm need about three months to mature, and eggs need a similar period for their final maturation. That is why lifestyle changes pay off when they are kept up consistently for three months, not just a few days. See also how long it usually takes to get pregnant and how to calculate your fertile days.
Are there sex positions that help me get pregnant?
No position has been proven to increase the chances of conception. Sperm reach the cervix within a few minutes, whatever the position. Choose whatever is comfortable and enjoyable for you and your partner. What really matters is having sex on your fertile days, especially the day before and the day of ovulation. After sex, there is no need to raise your legs. If you like, stay lying down for 10 to 15 minutes, without stress. Avoid lubricants that are not sperm-friendly.
The preconception checkup: what it includes
An appointment two to three months before you start trying is not only about fertility. It is about a healthy pregnancy from day one. It usually includes:
- Gynecological examination and Pap test, if one has not been done within the recommended interval.
- Blood tests: complete blood count, blood type and Rhesus factor, blood sugar, thyroid function, screening for thalassemia if not done before, hepatitis B and C, HIV, syphilis.
- Immunity testing for rubella and chickenpox. If you have no antibodies, you are vaccinated before conception.
- Medication review: some medications need to be changed. See which medications to avoid when you are trying to get pregnant.
- Family history of genetic conditions, to decide whether carrier screening is needed for both of you.
- Dental checkup: treatments are easier to do before pregnancy.
A step-by-step guide for those just starting out
- A preparation appointment and folic acid. Starting today.
- Get to know your cycle. Track at least two to three cycles. If they are very far apart or keep changing, read what applies to irregular periods and conception.
- Target the fertile window with sex every two to three days or, if you prefer precision, with ovulation tests.
- Improve what depends on you, both you and your partner, for at least three months.
- Set a date to reassess: 12 months if you are under 35, 6 months from 35 to 39, right away after 40.
Myths about how to get pregnant fast
- “Pineapple helps implantation.” There is no evidence from human studies.
- “Cough syrup thins the mucus and helps sperm.” The theory circulates, but it has not been proven. Do not take medications without a medical reason.
- “A week of abstinence makes sperm stronger.” On the contrary, long abstinence reduces motility. Two to three days is enough.
- “Fertility supplements replace testing.” Most have limited data behind them. Folic acid is the only one all women need.
- “If I already have a child, there cannot be a problem.” Secondary infertility is common and is investigated in the usual way.
Special situations: where to read more
Every couple starts from a different point. If your situation has a particular feature, the guides below cover the topic in depth:
- If you are worried about your age or how long it will take, see realistic timelines in the article how long it takes to get pregnant.
- If you want to improve your habits, read about female fertility and lifestyle.
- If you have had a termination of pregnancy in the past, there is a separate guide on whether abortion affects a future pregnancy.
- If you have already been trying for a while, in vitro fertilization and milder treatments are explained in detail.
What to do in the two weeks after ovulation
Once the fertile window has passed, you do not need to change your life. Carry on as usual with work, exercise and sex. A few simple precautions make sense, because an early pregnancy may already be under way: avoid alcohol, unnecessary medications, very hot saunas, and X-rays without mentioning that you are trying. Keep taking folic acid. Take a pregnancy test on the day your period is due or later, and if it is positive, book your first ultrasound appointment for around week 7 to 8.
For a personalized assessment of your case, book an appointment with Dr. Panagiotis Polyzos at his office in Athens or Volos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do to get pregnant fast?
Have sex every one to two days during the fertile window, which is the five days before ovulation and the day of ovulation. At the same time, quit smoking, cut down on alcohol and start folic acid.
Should I stay lying down after sex?
There is no evidence that staying in bed or any particular position increases the chances. Sperm reach the cervix within a few minutes.
How much sperm does it take for a woman to get pregnant?
Only one sperm is needed for fertilization, but the chances depend on the total count and motility. A semen analysis shows whether the values are normal.
When should I ask a specialist for help?
After 12 months of regular unprotected sex if you are under 35, and after 6 months if you are 35 or older. Sooner if your cycle is irregular or there is a known gynecological or male fertility problem.
Can I get pregnant in the first month after stopping the pill?
Yes. Ovulation usually returns quickly after stopping combined birth control pills, and there is no need to wait. However, if your period does not come within three months, you need to be checked.
Do fertility supplements help?
Folic acid is recommended for all women. For most other products, the data are limited. Vitamin D is given when levels are low. Discuss any supplement with your doctor before you start it.
Should my partner get tested too before we start trying?
Before you start trying, a basic health checkup and carrier screening where needed are usually enough. If conception is delayed, a semen analysis is one of the first tests, because the male factor is common.
Does orgasm increase my chances of getting pregnant?
There is no evidence that female orgasm is necessary or that it significantly increases the chance of conception. Conception depends mainly on the timing of sex and on the health of the eggs and sperm.
