So, you and your husband have decided to add a little guest to the family. After that dream has been planted in your heart, it's hard to wait even for a day, isn't it? There must be countless times when you think, "Oh, why not yet?". We should leave everything to nature, but we can also do a few small things and bring that lucky day a little closer. Let's take a look at 7 such simple, important tips approved by specialist doctors.
1. Before you even try, see a doctor.
The best thing to do is to see a good doctor and get advice the month before you two start trying for a baby. We call this a 'Preconception Checkup'.
Why is it important? Imagine you have an underlying medical condition like diabetes or high blood pressure. It is essential to get those conditions under control before getting pregnant. Only then can both you and your unborn baby be safe.
Talk to your doctor about prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid . Folic acid is a vitamin that can help prevent certain birth defects, such as spina bifida, which can affect your baby's nervous system. These defects can develop in the first few weeks of pregnancy, before you even know you're pregnant. That's why it's so important to start taking folic acid before you even start trying to get pregnant.
2. Be well aware of your monthly menstrual cycle.
How much do you know about your monthly menstrual cycle? Having a good understanding of this will help you know exactly when your fertile period is, that is, when ovulation occurs. Simply put, ovulation is the release of a mature egg from one of your ovaries. This is the best time to get pregnant. This is the time when you should pay more attention to having sex.
It is very useful to be aware of the signs of ovulation.
- Changes in cervical mucus: If your vaginal discharge is thinner, more slippery, and looks a bit more transparent, like egg whites, that's a big sign that you're ovulating.
- Pain on one side: Some women may feel a slight pinching pain on one side of their lower abdomen when they ovulate.
In addition, you can buy ovulation prediction kits from pharmacies. These can help you predict when you will ovulate with a high degree of accuracy. Start by counting the first day of your menstrual cycle (the day you start bleeding) as day 1, and start using the kit from day 9. For a person with a 28-day cycle, ovulation usually occurs on day 14. However, not everyone's cycle is the same. So it's a good idea to test for a few days.
If you have used birth control before, do you have to wait a while to try to get pregnant after stopping it? Not really. You can start trying as soon as you stop using birth control. However, since you can sometimes get pregnant before your period even starts, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact day you ovulate . Therefore, some people prefer to wait until they get their period at least once before trying.
3. Don't worry about what the best position is.
You've probably heard stories about the best sex positions to get pregnant faster. But most of them are just myths with no scientific basis. There's no evidence to prove that the missionary position (with the man on top) is better than other positions.
Very rarely, a woman's cervix may be abnormally positioned in some positions, but this is very rare.
But there is one thing. During sexual intercourse, sitting or standing positions can slightly hinder the movement of sperm towards the cervix due to gravity. Therefore, it is wise to avoid such positions.
4. Stay in bed for a while after getting together.
You've probably heard this story too: lying in bed with your legs up after sex helps you get pregnant. There's a little truth to this, but it's not entirely true.
The best advice is to lie down in bed for about 10 to 15 minutes after intercourse. But you don't have to keep your legs in the air. Your pelvis won't move as much as you do when you keep your legs up. The most important thing is, don't get up and run to the bathroom right away. If you wait 10-15 minutes, the sperm that needs to enter the cervix will have enough time to do so.
5. Don't work too hard (and a word to the husband too)
Having sex every day around the time of ovulation doesn't necessarily increase your chances of getting pregnant. In fact, it can sometimes lower sperm concentration.
"Generally, having sex every other day around the time of ovulation is the best way to increase your chances of getting pregnant, " doctors say. Remember, sperm can live inside your body for up to 5 days. So the best plan is to have sex regularly, both during your fertile period and at other times.
Now let's talk a little about the husband. Both of us are responsible for raising a baby. Therefore, the husband's lifestyle is also very important.
| Things men should avoid that can affect fertility | |
|---|---|
| Wearing tight clothes | Wearing tight underwear and pants can increase the temperature of the testicles and affect sperm production. |
| High temperature | Spending too much time in a hot tub, Jacuzzi, or bathing in hot water is harmful to sperm. |
| Mobile phone | Research has shown that keeping a cell phone close to the testicles, in a trouser pocket, can reduce sperm quality. |
| Foods rich in soy | Some studies have found that men who eat a lot of soy-rich foods (e.g., soy meat, tofu, edamame) may have lower sperm concentration. |
6. Reduce stress in every way possible.
Don't stress yourself out over trying to have a baby.
It's annoying when someone says, "Just relax, and you'll be fine." But there's actually some truth to that story. Too much stress can affect your hormones and interfere with ovulation.
So, do whatever healthy thing helps you relax. It could be reading a book, listening to a song, doing some gardening, meditating, etc. Some studies show that acupuncture can also reduce stress and increase your chances of getting pregnant.
7. Adopt a healthy lifestyle
Living a healthy life is important in every way.
Exercise
Exercise is a healthy habit, especially when it helps you maintain a healthy weight. But like anything, too much exercise is not good. "Exercising too much can even stop you from ovulating," doctors warn.
How much is "too much"? It varies from person to person. If you have regular periods, your exercise routine probably won't cause you any problems. But remember, excessive exercise doesn't necessarily mean your period will stop. "The first thing that happens is that the second half of your cycle shortens. Your period should start about 14 days after ovulation. But excessive exercise can shorten that time." This is the first sign that you need to change your exercise routine.
Smoking and alcohol
"To increase your chances of getting pregnant, you should definitely quit smoking." In addition to all the other health problems that smoking causes, it also directly affects fertility. It disrupts your estrogen levels and ovulation. Alcohol consumption also negatively affects fertility.
Getting pregnant may not happen overnight. But don't be discouraged. On average, 85% of women who try will get pregnant within a year. So be patient and enjoy this journey.
Take-Home Message
- Before trying for a baby, both of you should meet with a doctor and get the necessary tests and advice, especially starting folic acid.
- Be aware of your menstrual cycle. Identify your fertile days and have sex regularly, about every other day.
- Don't overthink sexual positions. After intercourse, relax in bed for 10-15 minutes.
- Your husband's health is also important. Remind him to avoid excessive heat, tight clothing, smoking, and alcohol.
- Reduce stress, live a healthy life with a balanced diet and moderate exercise.
- Patience is key. If you haven't had any success after trying for about a year (or 6 months if you're over 35), talk to a doctor.
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