If you’re hoping to conceive, don’t leave it to chance. Learn how to get pregnant — starting with predicting ovulation and understanding the dos and don’ts of maximizing 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
Understanding when you are ovulating — and having regular intercourse during the five days before ovulation and on the day of ovulation — can improve your chances of conception. Ovulation is the process by 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 to do
Follow these simple tips on how to get pregnant: Have regular sex. The highest pregnancy rates occur in couples who have sex every day or every other day. Have sex near the time of ovulation. If daily sex isn’t possible — or enjoyable — have sex every 2 to 3 days each week, starting right after your period ends. This can help ensure that you have intercourse during your most fertile window. Maintain a healthy weight. Women who are overweight or underweight are at increased 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 for a healthy pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will recommend taking folic acid a few months before conception to help reduce the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects.
Maximizing fertility – What to avoid
To improve your chances of conceiving: Don’t smoke. Tobacco has multiple negative effects on fertility, not to mention your overall health and the health of a developing baby. If you smoke, ask your doctor to help you quit before you start trying to conceive. Avoid alcohol. Heavy alcohol use can lead to decreased fertility. In general, it’s best to avoid alcohol altogether if you’re hoping to become pregnant. Limit caffeine. Research suggests that fertility isn’t affected by caffeine intake below 200 milligrams per day — that’s about one to two cups of coffee a day. Don’t overdo intense exercise. Vigorous physical activity lasting more than five hours a week has been linked to reduced ovulation. Also, talk to your doctor about any medications you’re taking. Some drugs — even over-the-counter ones — can make it more difficult 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. Infertility affects both men and women — and treatment is available. Depending on the cause of the issue, your gynecologist , your partner’s urologist, or your family doctor, may be able to help. In some cases, a fertility specialist may offer the best chance for success.
