It's an exciting time when you decide to try for a baby. You're ready to welcome a new person into the world, expanding your family. This little bundle of joy offers you the chance at a lifetime of love, tears and worries, and it's worth it.
While you're eager to hear good news, you may wonder if getting pregnant will be easy? Many couples wonder about this, and it's possible it could take some time even for healthy couples. Are there ways to support yourself and your health? The following are things to consider when planning to conceive.
1. Understand Your Reproductive Health
Is your cycle consistent? Is your partner's sperm viable? Pregnancy is a bit smoother when your reproductive health is on track. See your doctors for your annual physical. Discuss any concerns you have about your ovulation or his count. In addition, talk about whether you need to begin prenatal vitamins or prostate health supplements to support your general wellbeing.
2. Track Your Egg History
Ovulation varies. While many women have a consistent cycle, they may not know when the egg drops from the ovary. According to Verywellfamily.com, women with a standard cycle often ovulate 14 days before their period. The egg is viable for 12 to 24 hours, providing a short window for fertilization. Couples should have intercourse during that time to increase their pregnancy odds.
Because not everyone follows a strict cycle, women may want to track their periods using an application. In addition, companies may home kits to indicate if ovulation has started.
3. Reduce Your Stress
MayoClinic.com notes that long periods of stress may complicate pregnancy, making it harder for a woman to conceive. Women prone to anxiety and depression particularly struggle. Make time to relax. Try including yoga, meditation and deep breathing exercises into your daily routine. Talk with others about your concerns, and try to live in the moment. Work with professionals to discuss your tension triggers and find appropriate coping methods.
4. Eat a Balanced Meal
How does your diet influence pregnancy? Everyday Health reports that people with a healthy BMI have fewer pregnancy hurdles. However, those who are underweight or overweight experience may take longer to get pregnant or suffer from infertility issues.
Therefore, check your weight against a BMI chart before trying to conceive. If you're not in a good spot, adjust your diet to lose or gain weight accordingly. Focus on clean meals, filling the plate with veggies, lean proteins and complex carbohydrates. Minimize processed foods, sodas and alcohol.
5. Consider Your Sexual Habits
How you behave in the bedroom could play a role in getting pregnant. There are wives' tales about using positions to achieve success. Enjoy them if you like them, but they may not play a factor. There are other things, though, that could be important.
You may want to increase your sex during this timeframe. Medical News Today discusses the problem with frequency. The source reports that increased ejaculation minimizes swimmer production. Don't overdo it; you don't want to lessen the sperm.
In addition, avoid using lubricants. These products could interfere with conception, making it hard for fertilized eggs to attach to the uterus. Finally, WebMD recommends staying put after making love. While you may not want to sit in bed for an hour after sex, relax and lounge for about five to ten minutes. Give the swimmers the chance to move on up before you allow gravity to pull them back out.
Enjoy this intimate time, creating a new life. You may question if you're doing it right or if you're body is working correctly. Try not to let your nerves get the better of you. After all, this is a time to relax. However, get a checkup, ask health questions and focus on keeping your body in shape. All you can do is support your system to the best of your ability, and hopefully, a baby will come along.