If you are reading this, you have probably made that life-altering decision to bring a child into this world. Being a parent is a lifelong, twenty-four hour per day job, but the only way to take on that job is to get pregnant.
Perhaps you have some general questions on getting pregnant, or maybe you have been trying for a few months and have yet to successfully conceive.
Luckily, there are many tried and true tips that can turn that twinkle in your eye into a beautiful little baby.
Tips For Getting Pregnant
The first tip to getting pregnant is a pretty obvious one. Have sex – and lots of it. Though it might be tempting, try not to glue your sex schedule to your ovulation schedule.
While it is true that you have a higher chance of getting pregnant if you have sex while you are ovulating, you can get pregnant at any time during your cycle. Therefore, it is important to have sex even when your ovulation calendar says you are not ovulating.
Sex Positions For Getting Pregnant
In addition to having sex, you can increase your chances of getting pregnant using specific sex positions. The one that has been shown to offer a significant advantage is missionary position, with the woman’s legs propped on the man’s shoulders.
This position allows for deep penetration, which decrease the distance the sperm must travel to reach the egg. Further, the positioning of the woman’s hips allows the sperm to pool against her cervical opening, also increasing the odds of a sperm reaching the egg.
Other positions that help increase your chances of fertilization are doggy style, which promotes deep penetration, and spooning, which allows for relaxation, giving a better uterine atmosphere for sperm.
Physical Health And Pregnancy
Another important factor is physical health. This may seem like an obvious statement, but the health of the woman trying to get pregnant is critical.
Even though you might be a generally healthy person, there may still be some things that are inhibiting your body’s natural ability to conceive a child.
While it is common knowledge that cigarettes, drugs and alcohol are detrimental to the health of a fetus, and thus should not be used during pregnancy, it is less known that using these substances while trying to get pregnant is also bad.
Smoking
Studies have shown that men who smoke have abnormalities in their sperm production.
Smoke affects both the man’s sperm count, as well as the quality of each individual sperm, thereby minimizing the chances that a sperm will reach the egg.
In women, the toxic chemicals found in cigarettes can cause harm to the ovaries, thus affecting the body’s ability to successfully ovulate.
Alcohol
Alcohol, like cigarettes, has been shown to have an adverse effect on fertility. In females, alcohol consumption alters progesterone and estrogen production, which are the hormones involved in ovulation and menstruation.
If the levels of these hormones are unbalanced, the chances for conception are minimal. Further, alcohol is linked to abnormal liver function, which in males, translates to increased estrogen levels, leading to abnormal sperm production.
There have been many studies that have tried to pinpoint a safe amount of alcohol or cigarettes that can be consumed without affecting a person’s fertility.
However, these studies are inconclusive. The best way to maximize your chances of getting pregnant is to eliminate alcohol and cigarette consumption, and encourage your partner to do the same.
Weight Issues And Obesity
In today’s health-conscious culture, most people are aware of the health risks associated with being overweight and underweight.
For overweight people, this includes increased risks of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. People who are underweight have increased risks of being malnourished and anemic.
However, both categories of women have a significantly decreased chance of getting pregnant. Studies show that that having a body mass index (BMI) of under 20 or over 30 negatively affect a woman’s chance of conception.
There are several websites that have a body mass index calculator. However, keep in mind that this is simply a ratio of your height and weight. If you are unsure as to whether you are at a healthy weight, talk to your doctor.
For example, if you have a high muscle composition, you might have a high BMI but still be at a healthy weight. Your doctor will be able to clarify any questions you might have about your pre-baby weight.
Coffee And Caffeine
Finally, coffee and other caffeinated drinks and treats have an effect on your fertility. Studies have shown that women who drink high amounts of caffeine are up to three times more likely to not have conceived after a year of trying to get pregnant.
Maybe you don’t drink or smoke, and maybe you have never touched coffee in your entire life. Whether you fall into this category or not, one of the biggest things that affect whether you get pregnant is your attitude.
Your attitude can affect whether you orgasm – some studies show that an orgasm creates a better environment for sperm. Your attitude and outlook directly affect your stress levels, another factor in getting pregnant.
When it comes to getting pregnant, you mostly have to be patient. And, when you do conceive, it will be absolutely worth the wait.