If you’re planning to conceive, here are our tips to give you a headstart:
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Stop any contraception you are taking:
Of course this may sound like a very obvious one. But a key thing to note is that when you stop any form of contraception, especially the hormonal ones, it could take awhile for your body to adjust and you should allow sometime for your cycle to stabilise itself.
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Know when you are Ovulating:
Top tip on the list and a very key factor so you can have the best chance at conception.
If you want to maximize your chances of conceiving by having sex when you’re at your most fertile, then finding out when you ovulate is the best next step. Having sex both on and during the few days before this date gives you the best shot at conceiving.
However, some women may not necessarily be able to track when their ovulating.So having sex every 2 to 3 days throughout the month will also give you the best chance.
Then you won’t need to worry about having sex during ovulation if you can’t track it.
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Sexual health Check up:
Another top tip to cross off your check list. You need to make sure that all your sexual organs are clear, so it doesn’t inhibit your chances of getting pregnant.
STIs, Chlamydia in particular is often completely symptom-less but can cause damage making it hard to conceive, and has been linked to pregnancy related complications, even if you do eventually get pregnant.
Ensure you get tested as most times, a simple course of medication is able to clear it up.
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Work on your diet and exercise
Ideally six months before trying, you and your partner should change your diets, give up smoking and drinking and get to the ideal body weight to give your baby the best possible start in life.
Also cutting out caffeine is so important and if you cant, make sure you don’t exceed consuming more than 1 to 2 cups of coffee, or 250 mg of caffeine, per day before becoming pregnant.Consuming more than 500 milligrams of caffeine a day has been linked with a decrease in fertility in women.
Taking a very good prenatal vitamin at least three months before trying to conceive is also very important. Alternatively, you can take a daily multivitamin, as long as it contains at least 400 micrograms (mcg) per day of Folic acid.
Key nutrients to include Folic acid (very important in 1st 12 weeks of pregnancy), Omega-3, and Zinc ( improves sperm quality)
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Do it :
Yes, a very obvious one. Have sex, at least every other day during your monthly cycle to increase your chances of getting pregnant. You are most likely to get pregnant if you have sex within a day or so of ovulation.
However every woman’s body is different and its not easy for everyone to recognize the exact time of ovulation, having sex every two or three days throughout the month will give you the best chance of success.
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Don’t stress & be impatient
If you’re over-stressed, you could ovulate later in your cycle or not at all. Easier said than done, we know, but conception can take a lot longer than expected. It can be difficult, you want to be pregnant right now, and everyone is asking you when you’re expecting.
Try to get that stress out of your life, it will really help your ability to conceive.
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Stop taking non-prescription drugs
A lot of people are in the habit of popping in painkillers and NSAIDs at the slightest opportunity. These have long term effects generally, and should not be used unless absolutely necessary!
