How to Get Pregnant

Trying to Conceive

Have sex before, on, and after your most fertile days. Once you know you're fertile, have sex regularly! You are more likely to get pregnant if you are having sex daily before, during, and after your most fertile window. However, if you are not able to have sex this often, then have sex every 2 to 3 days before, during, and after your most fertile window. If you need to use a lubricant, make sure that it is water-based and that it is specifically made for promoting conception. Subtract 14 days from the length of your cycle to figure out when you ovulate. For instance, if you have a 30 day cycle, subtract 14 and you'll start ovulating on day 16 of your cycle. Set a relaxing mood, don't demand too much of your partner, and try to focus on this time as an opportunity to enjoy each other before you have to worry about the needs of a child.

Use an ovulation predictor kit. Pick up an ovulation predictor kit from your local drugstore or buy them online. Pee on the end of the strip or dip the end of the strip into a cup of your urine, and then wait for a few minutes before reading the results. With basic tests, the test is positive if there are 2 lines that are the same color or if the second line is darker than the control line. If you get a digital test, then the screen will say if you are ovulating or not. The cost of these tests can add up, so reserve them for days when you suspect you may be ovulating. Ovulation predictor test strips are often cheaper if you buy them in bulk. Ovulation predictor kits are not a requirement to identify your most fertile days, but they can be helpful, especially when you are unsure and want confirmation that you are ovulating.

Watch out for implantation symptoms. Some women experience implantation bleeding, which usually turns up as slight spotting as the zygote attaches to the uterine wall. It usually happens 6 to 12 days after conception. This is perfectly normal and usually nothing to worry about, but don’t hesitate to contact your doctor if you have concerns. You might also experience light cramping, headaches, nausea, mood swings, breast tenderness, and back pain along with implantation bleeding.

Take a home pregnancy test after you have a missed period. Once the ovulatory period has passed, the waiting game begins. Wait until your next expected period — if it doesn't show up, take a pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests have a 97% accuracy rate, but they can still give a false negative if you test too early. Retest in 1 week if you get a negative result and still have symptoms of pregnancy. Keep in mind that most couples don't get pregnant right away. Out of 100 couples trying to conceive every month, only 15 to 20 couples will succeed. However, 95% of couples trying to conceive will get pregnant within 2 years!

Preparing Your Body for Pregnancy

Get a pre-natal checkup. Even if you haven't hit any fertility roadblocks, a basic pre-conception physical is a good idea. Some pre-existing health conditions can be aggravated or significantly worsened by pregnancy. Your doctor will probably conduct a pelvic exam and order some basic blood tests. Some disorders you'll want to catch before pregnancy include: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which can interfere with ovulation. Endometriosis, which can generally inhibit fertility. Diabetes: If you can catch and manage diabetes before conceiving, you'll be able to avoid birth defects commonly associated with the disease. Thyroid disease: Like diabetes, thyroid disease is relatively non-threatening to your pregnancy as long as it's diagnosed and well-managed.

Get to your target weight before you get pregnant. Studies demonstrate that clinically obese women have a harder time conceiving and they may also have more problems during pregnancy. However, being underweight can also negatively affect your ability to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor about what would be a healthy weight for you and work on losing or gaining weight before you try to become pregnant. Women who are clinically underweight (with a BMI under 18.5) might stop menstruating altogether, which can make it even harder to conceive.

Take pre-natal vitamins. Starting before you get pregnant will build up the necessary nutrients in your system for a developing embryo. For example, taking folic acid supplements before trying to conceive may reduce the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects. Choose a prenatal vitamin or ask your doctor to prescribe one. Taking folic acid supplements has also been shown to have a positive impact on fertility, so start taking folic acid supplement daily before you plan to become pregnant.

Follow a whole foods diet to increase fertility. A healthy diet can help to boost your fertility and improve your chances of conception. Eat a diet that includes lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Some good choices include: Lean proteins: skinless chicken breast, lean ground beef, tofu, and beans Whole grains: brown rice, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat bread, and oatmeal Fruits: apples, oranges, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, and melon Vegetables: broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, spinach, carrots, cabbage, and kale

Encourage your partner to eat foods that promote sperm health. Men should take a multi-vitamin that contains vitamin E and vitamin C, eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and avoid excessive alcohol, caffeine, fat, and sugar intake. Men should also make sure they get plenty of selenium (55mcg per day), as selenium is suspected to increase fertility particularly in men.

Quit smoking. Not only is lighting up while you're pregnant a bad idea, it can hinder your chances of conceiving in the first place. Giving up an addiction while you're pregnant can be extra stressful, so save yourself some suffering by quitting beforehand. Keep in mind that second-hand smoke can also affect your odds of conceiving. Avoid spending time around smokers to reduce your exposure to secondhand smoke. Stopping smoking is also beneficial to your partner! Men who smoke regularly have lower sperm counts, more abnormal sperm than non-smokers, and smoking can even cause impotence.

Stop drinking to maximize your chances of conceiving. Even having 1 drink per day can decrease your fertility. To ensure that you have the best possible chance of conceiving, do not drink alcohol at all. If you do have a drink in moderation while you are trying to conceive, make sure that you do not exceed one drink. Having more than two drinks significantly decreases a woman’s fertility. Your partner should also limit their alcohol intake since alcohol can decrease sperm counts and it may also affect the quality of the sperm.

Limit your caffeine to no more than 200 mg per day. This includes caffeine from food, such as chocolate, and drinks, such as coffee, tea, and cola. Women who drink more than 3 cups of a caffeinated beverage daily are significantly less likely to get pregnant compared to women who consume 2 cups or less. 1 cup (240 mL) of coffee has about 100mg of caffeine, so do not drink more than 2 cups (580 mL) of coffee daily. Tea and cola have less caffeine, but this can still add up if you drink too much. Limit yourself to no more than 2 caffeinated beverages daily to ensure that you are not exceeding your daily limit.

Stop using birth control. Once your body is prepared for conception, stop using your birth control. If you are taking hormonal birth control it may take 2 to 3 months before you start ovulating normally again and you are able to become pregnant. However, if you are only using a barrier method of birth control, then you may become pregnant right away. If you have an intra-uterine device (IUD), then you will need to see your gynecologist to have it removed before you can get pregnant again.

See a reproductive medicine professional or sex therapist if needed. If it's a struggle for either you or your partner to get interested in sex, you might find it difficult to conceive. A qualified reproductive medicine professional or sex therapist can help you overcome these issues as a couple. Try not to let infertility to strain your relationship. The pressure to conceive, as well as invasive and emotionally stressful fertility treatments, can actually lead to sexual dysfunction and make getting pregnant even harder.

Maximizing Your Fertility

Chart your cycle using an app or calendar. Getting to know your menstrual cycle is the best way to identify your most fertile days. Download a fertility app, such as Clue, Flow, or Eve, or use a calendar to chart your fertility information. You will need to note the following information on the calendar: The first day of your period. This is the beginning of the cycle, so it should be noted as “1” on the calendar. Number the rest of the days in sequence counting up to the last day of your cycle, which is the day before your next period. Your daily basal body temperatures. Changes in cervical mucus. Positive ovulation prediction tests. Days you had sex. The last day of your cycle. Don't start counting your period if you have mild spotting. Wait until the actual flow starts.

Take your basal body temperature. Your body's temperature will rise slightly when you're ovulating, so an uptick is a good sign that you're fertile. Keep a thermometer by your bed, and take your temperature first thing in the morning when you wake up. Take your temperature at about the same time each day for the most accurate picture of your fertility. Jot down your temperature each day. If you notice a spike between 0.5 and 1 degree Fahrenheit that lasts more than a day, you might be ovulating! Fertility peaks during the 2 to 3 days before your basal temperature rises, so if you can observe any month-to-month patterns in when your temperature rises, you can predict the best time to conceive. Make sure to buy a basal body thermometer. Don’t use a regular thermometer because it will not detect subtle changes in your temperature.

Keep track of your cervical mucus. When your vaginal discharge is clear and stretchy, like raw egg whites, you are most likely fertile. Have sex daily for 3 to 5 days from the day you notice this consistency in your discharge. Once the discharge becomes cloudy and dry, you are less likely to conceive. You may notice the consistency of your cervical mucus simply by wiping when you go to the bathroom, or you might need to insert a clean finger into your vagina to check it.

Seeking Help for Infertility

Set a timeline for when to seek help based on your age, time trying, and health. Patience is difficult when you're trying to conceive, but try to give it time. Setting a deadline for seeing a doctor can help ease your anxiety and get you ready for the next phase of getting pregnant. Here's when you should seek help: Healthy couples under the age of 30 engaging in regular (twice weekly) intercourse should be able to conceive within 12 months (plus time for readjusting after discontinuing birth control). If you’re over 30, see a doctor after 6 months of trying. Women over the age of 30 and women who are peri-menopausal may experience difficulty in getting pregnant due to the natural decline in fertility that occurs as women age. In most cases, pregnancy can still be achieved but may take longer and require more targeted intercourse and lifestyle changes. See a fertility specialist right away in a few special cases. If you have endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, prior cancer treatments, endometriosis, a history of miscarriages or you're over 35, make an appointment with a reproductive specialist as soon as you want to conceive.

Get tested for common fertility problems. Everything from illness and stress to excessive exercise and medications can decrease fertility. Certain medications can prevent or complicate conception. Provide your health practitioner with a complete list of medications, herbs, supplements, and any specialty drinks or foods you are eating so that he or she can evaluate your list for potential fertility blocks. Get checked for sexually transmitted infections. Some infections can decrease your ability to conceive, while others can cause permanent infertility if left untreated. In some cases, women may have a removable tissue barrier that is preventing sperm from reaching the egg, or may have a physical condition that affects the menstrual cycle, such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Consider in-depth fertility testing. If both you and your partner have been given a clean bill of general health by a physician, consider sperm testing and medical monitoring of your fertility. Men should have a semen analysis to check the quality and number of sperm emitted during ejaculation. Additional male fertility tests include a blood test to check for hormone levels and ultrasounds that monitor the ejaculation process or sperm duct obstruction. Fertility tests for women often include hormone tests to check for thyroid, pituitary, and other hormone levels during ovulation and at other times during the menstrual cycle. Hysterosalpingography, laparoscopy, and pelvic ultrasounds are more involved procedures that can be used to evaluate the uterus, endometrial lining, and fallopian tubes for scarring, blockage, or disease. Ovarian reserve testing and genetic tests for inherited infertility problems can also be performed.

Visit a reproductive endocrinologist or fertility clinic. Your regular OB-GYN may refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist or clinic to ensure that you have access to all of the tests and treatment that you might need to achieve pregnancy. A reproductive endocrinologist can run tests, diagnose, and treat conditions that may be impacting your ability to become pregnant. Find a reproductive endocrinologist in your area and make an appointment. Develop a list of questions before your appointment. Go over them with your partner to make sure you haven't missed anything. Cover any concerns you have about costs, side effects, and the success of the treatments. At your first visit, do not expect to have a physical evaluation or to begin treatment. Just show up ready to ask questions and learn about your options. Do not feel obligated to commit to a particular treatment center after a single visit; visit several and keep your options open until you identify the best clinic for you.

Ask about intrauterine insemination (IUI). This involves collecting a semen sample from your partner or donor, “washing” the sperm to remove the seminal fluid, and then placing the sperm directly into your uterus using a fine catheter. This process is often performed 1 day after ovulation hormones rise in the woman, and can be done in a doctor’s office with no pain or surgical intervention. IUI may be used for up to 6 months before trying other therapies. Situations where IUI might be helpful include: Endometriosis Unexplained infertility Semen allergy Male factor infertility

Consider using in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to get pregnant. IVF is considered the most effective and common method of achieving pregnancy through assisted reproductive technology. IVF involves the removal of mature eggs from your body (or that of a donor) and its fertilization with your partner’s (or a donor’s) sperm in a laboratory, with subsequent insertion of the fertilized egg into your uterus to promote implantation. Each cycle can last 2 or more weeks, but most insurance companies pay for few — if any — IVF cycles. IVF is less likely to succeed in women with endometriosis, women who have not previously given birth, and women who use frozen embryos. Women over the age of 40 are often counseled to use donor eggs due to success rates of less than 5%.

Ask about medications and other fertility treatments. In some cases, fertility drugs may be sufficient for elevating fertility hormones and allowing natural conception. In others, fertility options such as Gamete Intra-fallopian Transfer (GIFT) or surrogacy may be recommended. Clomid (clomiphene) is a common fertility drug that is often combined with other treatments, such as IUI. This drug stimulates your ovaries to release an egg, thus increasing the chances that you will become pregnant.

Seek out support while you are going through infertility treatment. Infertility can take a significant toll on your mental health. You may feel anxious, depressed, and isolated, but remember that you are not alone! Take care of yourself and seek support as you go through the process. Reach out to supportive friends and family members, and look into in-person and online support groups. You may also consider seeing a therapist to discuss your feelings as you undergo treatment. Infertility can also take a toll on your relationship as well. Make time to just have fun with your partner, and maintain your connection. Beginning infertility testing and treatment? Talk with your doctor about what you can do to increase fertility naturally, promote a good sperm count in your partner, and use relaxation to aid your treatment.