If you have decided to have a baby, let the fun begin! You probably already have a handle on the basic mechanics, but below are a few ideas to make your rolls in the hay more effective. By following these five tips, you might be able to get pregnant faster.
Tip #1: Start Tracking Your Period
If you are brand new to this whole process, you need to begin the first step: keeping track of your cycle. You can do this the old-fashioned way with a calendar, or choose from an array of apps to download onto your phone. The point is, you need to get a sense of how long your cycles are, and whether or not they are regular. Regular cycles can give you a clue about how your reproductive system is functioning, and help you to start determining when you might be ovulating.
If your cycle is more irregular, this is not necessarily something to worry about, but it may make catching the ovulation window a little tougher. No matter what your cycle is doing, it is not a bad idea to check in with an OB/GYN and have them evaluate the goods. If you do not already have a doctor, this can provide a great opportunity to connect with one before you become pregnant.
Tip #2: Don’t Wait Until You’re Ovulating
If your cycles are 28 days, you probably ovulate on day 14. (The first day of your period counts as the first day of your cycle.) The ovulation window is short, and very easy to miss. However, sperm can survive inside your body for 3-7 days. What this means is that the entire week prior to your actual ovulation day counts as your “fertile time.” This is the time when you definitely want to be having sex.
A good rule of of thumb is to start having sex just as soon as you finish your period, and to do it as much as you want for a week or 10 days. This will help to ensure that you have sperm inside your body during that super fast moment when one of your ovaries releases an egg.
Also, feel free to have sex any time you feel like it, even when you know you’re not ovulating. Regular sex helps your body become accustomed to your partner’s semen and create a more welcoming environment. Also, the regular release of sperm helps to ensure that the sperm you get is healthy.
Tip #3: Watch What You’re Drinking
Very heavy caffeine usage might make it a little harder to conceive, some experts say, but moderate usage is totally OK. If you are a heavy coffee or energy drink consumer, try scaling it back to 150-300 mg of caffeine each day, or about 1-3 cups of coffee. There is no need to give it up completely, especially if you really enjoy it. Trying to have a baby should be fun, not a chore.
If you are a big drinker of alcohol, you might want to scale that back just a bit too. Mainly, this is done as a precaution for when you do become pregnant, but avoiding heavy drinking may boost your chances of conception as well. Much like caffeine, moderate consumption is nothing to worry about.
Tip #4: Try All Sorts of Positions
There is an old myth that just keeps holding on in popular culture. The idea is this: missionary sex is the best way to get pregnant. Because gravity, right? However, once ejactulation happens, sperms gets mixed up with cervical fluid and gravity just doesn’t play a role. The takeaway is this: you can have all kinds of sex in all kinds of positions. If you love missionary, then you should go for it. But there is no reason to stop there! You will probably be having a lot of sex. Try it every way you can dream of.
Tip #5: Expect it to Take a While
If you have decided it’s time to conceive, you might already be shopping for baby clothes. The truth it, even for healthy, fertile couples, this process can take anywhere from 3 to 8 months. If you go into the process expecting it take several months, you are less likely to become worried, anxious or stressed. Making a baby should be fun!
If you have been trying to conceive for more than 8 months and you have some fertility concerns, consider contacting Fertility Doctors Mesa. Our team of doctors and specialists can help you figure out what’s going on and provide any treatments you may need.
