Getting pregnant may seem as easy as 1, 2, 3…but there’s a lot more to it than you think. In fact, sometimes getting pregnant can be an obstacle that many couples have trouble overcoming. Whether you’re trying for your first child, or simply adding to your happy, little family, the following expert recommended tips and tricks will make conceiving easier and more effective!
Check out this simple to implement 7-step plan to help raise your chances (and speed of) conceiving as recommended by medical experts:
Step 1: Stop birth control long before you begin trying
If you’ve been on contraceptives like birth control for an extended period of time, consider putting a cease to your intake sooner rather than later.
“Take a pass on your prescription a few months before you plan to start trying,” says Christopher Williams, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist in private practice in Charlottesville, Virginia, and author of The Fastest Way to Get Pregnant Naturally. This doesn’t apply to just birth control, other forms of hormonal birth control should be nixed long before you start trying for your baby.
“After you’ve been using birth control for awhile, it may take your body a few cycles to start ovulating regularly and be primed for pregnancy,”Dr. Williams claims.
Step 2: Plot your fertile days
“The biggest mistake my patients make is not knowing exactly when they ovulate,” says Dr. Williams. That said, one way to speed up and add success to your pregnancy rate is to make note of when you’re most fertile.
According to Parents, there are two accurate ways to track your ovulation: ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) and basal body temperature (BBT) charting. “Today, most doctors recommend using ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) for a more accurate measure of ovulation. Though you can still use basal body temperature (BBT) charting, OPKs give you advance warning that your egg is about to be released, so you can plan accordingly. OPKs work by detecting a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine, which occurs about 36 to 48 hours before you ovulate.”
One generally assumed rule of thumb: The most approximate method of determining when you ovulate, is to subtract 14 from the length of your cycle.
Step 3: Sex before ovulation
Sperm is capable of remaining in fallopian tubes and in your uterus for as long as 2 to 3 days; however, your egg will only last 12 to 24 hours after being released. That’s why sex before you ovulate can be highly effective in boosting your chances of conceiving. Simply put, sperm will be hanging around just in time to greet your egg when you begin to ovulate.
As reported by Parents here are three helpful tips for a typical 28-day cycle (where you ovulate on day 14):
* Start having sex a few times a week as soon as your period ends. Getting busy that often ensures you won’t miss your most fertile time, especially if your cycle length varies from month to month.
* Make a point to have sex every other day starting around day 10.
* When you have a positive result on your OPK (around day 12), have sex that day and the next two days — these are your primo days out of the month to conceive.
With this 7-step plan to boost your chances of conception, you’ll be pregnant in no time! Click next to read on!
Step 4: Helpful sex tricks to try out
Lie on your back after sex – “Because the vagina naturally slopes downward, resting on your back after sex allows sperm to pool there, which gives them an edge in swimming toward your egg,” claims Dr. Williams.
Sex before bedtime – There’s an abundance of myths that claim sperm count is highest during the morning; however, there’s no true data to support that claim or to support that it’s higher at any point in the day. If you have sex before bedtime, however, you’re ensuring that you’ll be on your back for a while after sex!
Missionary may be best – Just like the myth surrounding sperm count, there’s no true research that points to any sex position as best. But, if you’re on your back during the process–at least in theory–your chances could be higher.
Step 5: Things to avoid during sex
Avoid using lube – People tend to think that certain types of lube can help speed up sperm’s ability to “move”. Though, the opposite is more accurate.Many formulas actually alter the pH balance in the vagina and decrease sperm mobility.
“Orgasms don’t matter at all” – Obviously achieving an orgasm during every sex session is something we at least strive for, but if you’re not at climaxing at least sometimes…it’s time to step it up. having an orgasms is highly beneficial for conceiving. Orgasms boost conception by drawing more sperm into the vagina and uterus, this theory lacks scientific proof
Boxers vs briefs argument – “Because some fertility problems in men stem from a condition where the temperature in the testicles is excessively warm, which affects sperm production, it’s natural to believe that favoring briefs over boxers could hinder conception. However, there’s no good evidence this is true,” says Dr. Williams.
Step 6: Tests
Most of today’s home pregnancy tests allow you to start testing super-early (as soon as 10 days after you ovulate). However, you’ll get the most accurate results if you wait until the day you expect to get your period.
Step 7: Negative test?
DON’T PANIC!
Most couples trying to conceive aren’t successful the first time around. In fact, more than half get pregnant by 6 months, about 85 percent by one year. What probably happened is that you miscalculated your most fertile days. This means your partner’s sperm never had the chance to fertilize your egg. Consider switching to a daily OPK if you haven’t already tried it, and get psyched to try again next month!
This article was based on a post from Parents
READ: 6 Ways to organically improve your fertility
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