Baby fever is in the air and if you are here reading this you’ve caught it!
The journey to conception can be exhilarating for some, while it can also be a difficult and uncertain road for some couples. Medical issues from either partner can become a bump in the ride, it is recommended that you consult with your doctor.
Before diving into the topic, we must first understand how pregnancy works and what the journey entails.
How does pregnancy work?
For a pregnancy to occur a man’s sperm needs to fertilize a woman’s egg. The sperm travels through the fallopian tube and implants itself into the uterine wall. The duration of pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks that is divided into three trimesters.
For a lot of women, the experience can be uncomfortable due to the symptoms and physical changes that happen during pregnancy. These complications can be minimized if proper prenatal care is observed and avoiding any dangerous drugs, besides the prescribed medications are administered.
While pregnancy is not an easy feat, conceiving can be equally challenging. Here are some tips to help navigate yourself and your partner.
7 Tips for Getting Pregnant Faster
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Stop Taking Birth Control
If you are on birth control pills and are now ready to start conceiving, it is advised that you stop taking the pills at least a few months before you start trying.
Once the pills are stopped you may be able to get pregnant within the time frame of 1-3 months of stopping a combination pill (estrogen and progestin). Usually, women tend to get pregnant within a year, and it is possible for those who have been on the pill for more the 4-5 years some studies claim they can be more fertile than those who used the pill for 2 years or less.
Contraceptives do not have any negative effects on the ability of women to conceive once it’s stopped and neither does it delay fertility. (1)
2. Get in sync with your menstrual cycle!
If you are trying to conceive faster, you need to track your menstrual cycle to know exactly when you are ovulating.
While this seems like the most basic step, it is a complex task as you try to pinpoint the time your ovulating to plan sex around your fertile days.
The menstrual cycle has 3 phases that are:
Menstrual phase: This is the phase when the uterus starts to shed its lining due to the decreased levels of progesterone and estrogen, and you experience normal vaginal bleeding. During this phase pain, or dysmenorrhea (severe period cramps) occurs. It is also common to experience headaches, vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea during the contractions of the womb as the uterus lining is on its monthly shed. The bleeding can last from up to 2 to 8 days.
Follicular phase: The first half of the cycle is referred to as the follicular phase as the follicle is developing into an ovary. The progesterone and estrogen levels begin to rise, and this phase lasts about nine days.
Ovulatory phase: The ovulatory phase lasts around three days, during which the process of ovulation occurs. The levels of progesterone and estrogen are at their peak and the egg is released mid-cycle, typically around the 14th day of the menstrual cycle.
3. Improve your – and your partner’s – habits to increase your chances
While knowing your cycle is crucial it is also important to consider your partner’s condition too. Certain factors can negatively affect sperm quality and quantity.
As you get started with your goal it becomes important that both of you sit down and create a diet plan and put a stop to smoking and limit alcohol intake.
A study showed that men exposed to mobile phone radiation had decreased sperm motility (2), ask your partner to be mindful about where he keeps his mobile phone.
4. The right position after sex may help you get pregnant
Several ways can help you get around the chance to let the sperm complete its journey to reach and fertilize the egg.
The first is, lie still. This helps the sperm get to the egg easier, around 10-15 minutes would be sufficient to do the job. You can then go ahead and use the washroom to get out any germs hanging around near your urethra that could lead to a UTI.
The second one would be to prop your pelvis. You would need a pillow tucked under your hips after sex so the semen could gravitate toward your uterus.
The third would be to put your legs up. This is also a good way to let gravity do its thing for the sperm.
5. Stay in bed right after intercourse.
It is important that stay in bed as the sperm has been recently secreted and it is in the form of a sticky jelly-like substance. The sperm cannot move yet so it becomes fluid after 15-30 minutes of ejaculation.
Once it’s liquid it can swim its way into the cervix and then find its way into the uterine cavity to fertilize the ovulated egg in a fallopian tube. It is ideal to put rest the hips on a pillow for about 15-30 minutes which is enough time for the sperm to fertilize an egg with more efficiency.
6. Avoid Baby-Making Mistakes
There are some rookie mistakes that we tend to make while trying to speed the process up, like using lube.
Some couples believe that lube could help the sperm move more quickly, but it could end up hindering your efforts.
The formulas may alter the pH balance in the vagina which could decrease the mobility of the sperm. However, conception sex should be less stressful so if you want to use lube every once in a while, you should go ahead and do it!
7. Schedule an appointment with your doctor
Paying a visit to the doctor is a must once you have made up your mind about conceiving, to know more about the things you can do. Your doctor will help draw up a chart that details how you can take better care of your overall health in regard to nutrition and lifestyle.
Pre-natal vitamins can help you big time for conception as it helps the body prepare a home for a developing baby and help carry out a healthy pregnancy.
Science-Backed Tips for Getting Pregnant
It is best to avoid old wives’ tales and stick to scientifically backed facts when trying to conceive, such as:
- Get all the tests and doubts out of the way with a diagnosis from your doctor
- Check on your regular appointments for dental and medical preventative care
- Check through your and your partner’s family history
- Do not miss your vaccines
- Get a report on your thyroid levels
- A semen analysis would help a great deal
- Follow intercourse that’s best suited for getting pregnant
- Stay updated with your ovulation cycle and time sex accordingly
- Avoid smoking and drinking
- Try to get to the desired weight
- Exercise
- Reduce stress
Fertility Facts
Six-day cycle
A woman’s fertility window lasts for six days during which she can get pregnant each month. These days can be tracked by understanding the menstrual cycle and how long it lasts which varies from woman to woman. Knowing your cycle is how to increase the chances of pregnancy.
The fertile window of six days includes the day when the egg is released from an ovary. Pregnancy is possible if you have intercourse in this time frame.
The golden window is during the two days that lead up to ovulation and the day of ovulation, schedule your intercourse around this time.
Age determines pregnancy
A woman’s age has always been a major factor that affects her fertility, but a man’s age also plays a part in achieving a healthy pregnancy.
Several pieces of research have shown that men that are younger than 40 have a better chance of fathering a child than those who are older than 40. Age does affect a men’s fertility (3)
The male partner’s weight can affect the outcome
Both partners need to maintain a healthy weight, not just the one who will be carrying the baby. Men who are overweight, borderline obese, or obese have poor sperm quality and aren’t as fertile as the men who have a healthy weight.
A healthy weight for both men and women can help increase the chances of pregnancy. Proper diet, exercise, and shedding extra kilos can boost fertility in both.
The effects of Caffeine
While there aren’t clear conclusions on this topic, but several studies have shown that women who consume significantly more caffeine than those who don’t tend to take longer to become pregnant and may have a higher risk of experiencing a miscarriage.
Caffeine is found in varying amounts in coffee, tea, energy drinks, soft drinks, and chocolate.
The recommended caffeine intake for women trying to conceive should not be more than 200mg daily.
STIs- Damage & Infertility
When STIs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia is left untreated, they can cause complications in the reproductive organs that include pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause blockage in the fallopian tube and lead to infertility.
They can also cause damage to the quality of the sperm and the male tubes. They often have no symptoms and are mistaken for something else which can cause people to infect others.
However, they are easily diagnosable by your doctor and can be treated with routine screenings and safe sex practices.
IVF treatment & age-related infertility
IVF cannot make up for the natural decline in fertility that comes with age. The quality of the sperm is affected as a man ages, and for a woman who is older than 40 years the chances of having a baby through the IVF cycle can only be about 5%
For men, the chances of IVF working are if they are yonder than the age of 41.
Second pregnancy cannot be as easy
The determining factor is age if a woman has had a child already and wants a second or third it might not be as easy as the first time around.
If the woman is 37 when she first conceived and then tries for a second at 40, the chances of getting pregnant are still the same as a 40-year-old who hasn’t had a child which is 5%
Only sperm isn’t the deciding factor
While the sperm needs to swim to the egg for the fertilization to complete, they are not the only ones responsible for the process.
A major portion of the journey is helped by the woman’s muscles in her uterus, which naturally tenses and relaxes to accept the sperm through the fallopian tubes toward the egg.
Tips For Him
Sperm temperature
For the testicles to be able to produce the best quality sperm they need to be kept cooler than the rest of your body. When planning for pregnancy it is essential that you take extra measures to keep your testicles cool.
Move around regularly don’t get stuck sitting in one place. Don’t wear too tight underwear go for something loose-fitting while trying to conceive.
Smoking
Smoking can reduce your fertility it is best to avoid/quit smoking while trying to conceive.
Smoking around a newborn is extremely dangerous too, so you might want to let that habit go once and for all.
Alcohol
Excessive alcohol can reduce the quality of sperm which will hinder the process of getting pregnant.
It is best to avoid/limit drinking while trying for pregnancy.
Recreational drugs
Some common recreational drugs that can lead to compromised sperm quality and reduce male fertility include:
- cannabis
- cocaine
- anabolic steroids
Stay clear of these when trying to conceive.
Medicines
Some of the drugs that are prescribed to you can have an impact on your fertility. Common medications like antibiotics whose long-term usage can lead to harmful effects on both sperm quality and quantity.
Consult your health care provider and be clear about your goals of conceiving.
Stress
Stress can cause a great deal of strain on your relationship and lead to a lower sex drive for you and your partner, which will reduce how often you have intercourse.
Severe stress can lead to limited sperm production. It is best to find alternative solutions to manage your stress like meditation or yoga to reduce stress and improve the quality of your relationship.
Getting help
While it is easier for some couples to get pregnant quickly, do not be discouraged if it takes longer. There are a lot of means and alternatives that you can discuss with your healthcare provider to find the best and most suited solution for you and your partner.
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