How To Increase Possibility Of Pregnancy

Diet Exercise And Conception

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Pregnant

There is no special diet that improves the odds of conception, but a healthy range of foods that includes lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats is recommended.

Vitamins and minerals are essential for the body to function. Read more about the benefits of vitamins and minerals for fertility and pregnancy health, including folate, iodine, vitamin D, zinc and selenium supplements.

Regular exercise also improves fertility. Australian and international guidelines recommend you do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity such as brisk walking, gardening or dancing on most but preferably all days of the week. If possible, do some vigorous activity such as running, fast cycling or fast swimming every week as well.

For men and women who are overweight or obese, exercise can help to prevent further weight gain or achieve a modest weight loss that improves general health and fertility.

As part of weight management, international guidelines recommend that overweight or obese adults do 225-300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week .

Reverse Any Insulin Resistance

Women with PCOS have problems with insulin resistance, which means that your blood sugar levels are elevated, as is your insulin level, this increases your risk of having trouble conceiving. Doctors can prescribe Metformin to help, but there are many side effects to this drug to consider. In the first instance, try cutting out sugar and refined carbs from your diet and making sure you get enough protein, fibre and healthy fats and you will see your blood sugar levels and your insulin level drop. Myo-inositol has been proven effective in treating insulin resistance in some PCOS women. The new InofolicAlpha, which contains both myo-inositol and alpha-Lactalbumin, can help reverse insulin resistance even more effectively.

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Try The Latest Technology: In Vitro Maturation

Most women have heard of IVF, or in vitro fertilization. However, in vitro maturation is a new treatment offering hope to women are struggling to conceive.

Women with PCOS have many cysts with immature eggs. Rather than inducing these cysts to mature, a physician removes the follicles and induces maturation in a petri dish. This reduces the chances of ovarian hyperstimulation and also increases the chances of getting a mature egg by midcycle.

The doctor then uses IVF technology to inseminate the mature eggs before implanting them in the patients uterus. This is still a very new treatment, which means it can be hard to find a fertility doctor who performs it, but many doctors are claiming success rates of around 80%.

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What Is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

First, lets find out what polycystic ovary syndrome is.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition women experience due to an imbalance in their reproductive hormones.

Polycystic means many cysts and refers to the many follicles that partially form on the ovaries. Each partially formed follicle contains an egg but these rarely mature or produce eggs that can be fertilized.

Women with PCOS often have high levels of insulin or high levels of androgens in some cases, they have both.

Although the cause of polycystic ovary syndrome isnt really understood, its believed lifestyle factors such as diet and environment can influence the development of PCOS.

PCOS is frequently associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic disorders. These conditions can lead to type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is also one of the most common endocrine and metabolic disorders in premenopausal women when the functionality of their ovaries decreases.

We think you might like to read Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome for more detailed information about PCOS, signs, and symptoms.

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Why Do Those With Pcos Have Trouble Getting Pregnant

How To Increase Pregnancy Chances After Ovulation

Women with PCOS have higher than normal antral follicle counts on either one or both of their ovaries. The high levels of androgens and other sex hormones found in women with PCOS interfere with antral follicle growth. Hormonal imbalances can cause follicles to mature improperly and not release an egg. When a woman does not release an egg during a menstrual cycle, it is known as anovulation. Anovulatory infertility is a common consequence of PCOS, and 70-80% of women with anovulatory infertility have PCOS .

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How To Increasing The Chances Of Getting Pregnant With Supplements

While whole foods are usually the best source of nutritional foundation, certain supplements for both men and women have been shown to improve fertility and the chances of getting pregnant.

Key Nutrients in Fertility Supplements for Improving Womens Fertility

Many other nutrients including Vitamin A , Vitamin E , Iron , Iodine , and Choline are also good choices for priming the body for pregnancy.

Recommended Supplements for Women:

There are many supplements and even fertility supplements out there, but its important to source high-quality third-party tested supplements when it comes to your fertility and having a baby. We recommend Molecular Fertility brand supplements.

Key Nutrients in Fertility Supplements for Improving Womens Fertility

Selenium: Selenium supplementation improves sperm counts, motility and morphology as well as sperm concentration.

Lycopene: A powerful antioxidant that protects sperm from oxidative DNA damage. Can improve sperm motility and a mans reproductive potential. CoQ10: Has the ability to block cell damage and enhance sperm count/concentrations and sperm motility L-Carnitine: L-Carnitine helps support a males energy, stamina, and sperm health. Improves sperm motility and morphology and is important for proper sperm maturation. Taking a supplement may be helpful in men with and without fertility issues.

Recommended Supplements for Men:

When Should You See A Doctor

While fertility tracking apps can provide useful information to make family planning and cycle tracking easier, theyre never a substitute for individualized care and advice from your OB-GYN.

You shouldnt skip annual visits, but if youre having trouble conceiving or are experiencing any unusual symptoms related to your menstrual cycle and reproductive health, you should make an appointment to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

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Extent Of The Problem

One in six couples have an unwanted delay in conception. Roughly half of these couples will conceive either spontaneously or with relatively simple advice or treatment. The other half remain subfertile and need more complex treatment, such as in vitro fertilisation and other assisted conception techniques about half of these will have primary subfertility.

Most couples presenting with a fertility problem do not have absolute infertility , but rather relative subfertility with a reduced chance of conception because of one or more factors in either or both partners. Most couples with subfertility will conceive spontaneously or will be amenable to treatment, so that only 4% remain involuntarily childless. As each couple has a substantial chance of conceiving without treatment, relating the potential benefit of treatment to their chances of conceiving naturally is important to give a realistic appraisal of the added benefit offered by treatment options.

Keep Things Interesting In Bed

How to get pregnant – Improve your chances of getting pregnant

There’s no evidence that some sex positions are better than others for conceiving, but if you’re trying for a baby don’t let sex become a chore. Bring back the fun by trying one of our sex positions for conception which encourage deep penetration so your man’s sperm is better able to reach your egg.

To keep you both excited and engaged try new positions and even places, and have regular sex .

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Practice Good Sleep Hygiene

When your circadian rhythms are off, it can throw off your ovulation cycles, says Masterson. We see it a lot in women who work night shifts and travel internationally, frequently.

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If you have a job that interferes with a normal sleep routine, consider switching your schedule if its not, try to get as much sleep in your downtime as you can to avoid accruing a sleep debt.

But even if you work a traditional 9 to 5, cleaning up your sleep habits may boost your pregnancy chances, too, says Masterson, by helping your body perform optimally. Get more zzzs at night by keeping a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine in the later hours, exercising regularly, and turning off all screens an hour before bedtime.

Testing Ovulation With An Irregular Menstrual Cycle

Ovulation test kits are more accurate when you have a regular cycle because its easier to predict the midway point of your cycle. But dont worry ovulation testing can still work if you have an irregular cycle. Youll just have to test more often.

While women with a regular cycle only need to test ovulation once a month, someone with an irregular cycle will have to test more frequently. Youll start testing a few days after your period and then once every week thereafter.

Even with an irregular cycle, you can look for the telltale signs of ovulation indicating that its time to start using a test kit. Youll need to pay attention to bodily changes like vaginal discharge and basal body temperature.

Start using an ovulation test kit if you notice any of these symptoms:

  • increased cervical mucus, particularly discharge that feels slippery when wiping or has an egg-white-like consistency

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Lets First Look At How Pregnancy Happens

To get pregnant ovulation must take place. This occurs when a mature egg is released from the ovary, pushed through the fallopian tube, and is available to the sperm for fertilization. The lining of the uterus has thickened to prepare for a fertilized egg. If conception does not occur, the uterine lining will be shed during menstruation, aka your period.

If Youre Over 35 Or 40 Years Old

How To Optimize Ovulation, Boost Fertility + Increase Your Odds of ...

The single most important factor in your fertility is your age. Women are most fertile in their early 20s. Fertility declines after that and starts to drop steeply after age 35. The older you get, the lower the quantity and quality of your eggs . Women older than 35 years of age have an increased risk of infertility, miscarriage, and congenital abnormalities .

But that doesnt mean you cant, or shouldnt, have a baby after age 35! In fact, in the last 40 years, theres been a dramatic rise in the number of women having babies at age 35 and older. In 2018, almost a fifth of women giving birth in the U.S. were 35 or older, up from 15% in 2013, 11% in 2002, and 8% in 1990 . In the United Kingdom, since 2016, every age group except for women over age 40 has had decreases in fertility rates . And the majority of over-35 women who stay pregnant to term have healthy babies.

In general, it tends to take women over age 35 longer to get pregnant than younger women. You can boost your chances of getting pregnant by living a healthy and active lifestyle, eating whole foods , including lots of fresh vegetables and fruits, and following the tips above. You can also take a supplement containing myo-inositol, which studies have found to improve egg quality and fertilization rates .

If youre over age 35 or 40 and are having difficulty getting pregnant, see your healthcare provider. There are many different types of assisted reproductive technology that can help you conceive.

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Other Factors That May Affect Fertility

Irregular or absent periods

A predictable, regular cycle is a good indicator that a persons hormones are behaving, and that they are most likely ovulating. Unpredictable, erratic or absent periods can provide clues to hormonal or sometimes anatomical problems that can affect the ability to get pregnant.

A known uterine fibroid or endometrial polyp

The inside wall of the uterus is intended to be a smooth, unobstructed surface on which a fertilized egg can easily implant. The presence of a growth along the uterine wall can prevent that hopeful little maybe-baby from making a home where it needs to.

Known male factor concerns

Think: Known sperm problems or tubal disease. Dr. Laura Bishop, OBGYN from Columbia University states that male factors contributing to infertility are identified as the cause of a couples difficulty conceiving about one-third of the time.

Start A Supplement Programme

Although a healthy diet is the best way to gain nutrients, a basic vitamin supplement programme particularly one that contains folic acid and vitamin D can help ensure you get what you need.

‘Supplements should be a vital component of a womans conception plan they complement a healthy, balanced diet,’ says Kate Davies , an independent fertility nurse consultant and director of Your Fertility Journey. ‘I recommend the BetterYou Conception Oral Spray to all my patients as it includes essential folic acid, vitamin D and other important vitamins and minerals for optimising good fertility.’

NHS advice is to take folic acid if youre trying for a baby or are pregnant, up until your 12th week of pregnancy. Folic acid is the man-made version of folate, which is essential for healthy red blood cells and to help your baby grow normally, but it’s not suitable for everyone so check with your GP first.

See No. 26 for what you need to know about Vitamin D.

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Treat Yourself To A Break

Lots of women get pregnant during a getaway so pack your bags, grab your partner and head off somewhere away from daily stresses such as work and commuting. If we rest and relax we are also more likely to want sex.

‘It can become quite overwhelming when youre trying to conceive so its important to reset the balance,’ says Kate. ‘Taking the opportunity to care for your emotional health as well as your physical health is vital.’

‘Holidays also help us easily dissociate from our workload and practice the relaxation we so desperately need more of in our weekly schedule,’ says Natasha.

Get A Good Night’s Sleep

What Can I Do To Increase My Chances of Getting Pregnant?

To improve your chances of getting pregnant you need to keep yourself as healthy and happy as possible and that includes getting enough sleep.

‘Sleep is the time our bodies recover and heal,’ says Natasha. ‘And having a good routine around your bedtime is crucial to a good night’s sleep. I recommend closing the curtains and making the space dark for two hours before sleep. Please, no screens in the last hour. I particularly like a cup of chamomile to seal the deal,’ she says.

If you become severely fatigued, a lack of sleep can disrupt your periods, so if you are suffering from any sleep problems look at ways to fix them.

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Exercise: What To Do / What Not To Do

Exercise is the one category where less really is more in terms of fertility. Moderate intensity movement and weight-bearing exercises like walking, yoga, Barre, or Tai Chi are great ways to stay active, reduce stress, and minimize inflammation, but excessive and intense exercise like running high mileage or cross-fit classes can have the opposite effect when it comes to fertility.

In some women, an hour or more of vigorous exercise each day can decrease the bodys production of the hormones that stimulate ovary function. This can cause the ovaries to become underactive and stop producing eggs and estrogen. This risk increases with exercise duration and intensity. Whats more, intense exercise sessions cause the body to break down the proteins in muscles, producing ammonia, a chemical that can inhibit pregnancy, and heat up.

If You Have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

The single most common hormonal disorder in reproductive-aged women is polycystic ovarian syndrome . Its estimated that about 310% of women in the U.S. have it, and its one of the leading causes of infertility. In PCOS, the sex hormones are imbalanced. Along with infertility, its symptoms can include having irregular menstrual cycles, multiple small cysts in the ovaries, and type 2 diabetes .

PCOS is strongly linked with having excess body fat. If you have PCOS, excess body weight, and trouble getting pregnant, it can help to lose weight and exercise . And good news on that myo-inositol supplement we mentioned aboveit may also help with PCOS-related infertility .

There are a number of medical options for treating PCOS-related infertility. Certain medications can induce ovulation and regulate insulin levels . Speak with your healthcare provider to discuss options that would be most appropriate for you.

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How To Increase Chances Of Getting Pregnant: 9 Tips

Its estimated that 12% of couples in the United States have trouble conceiving a baby. If you want to get pregnant, there are many ways to boost your chances, such as quitting habits that decrease fertility , losing weight if appropriate, and reducing stress. And if youre over 35 or have a medical condition such as polycystic ovarian syndrome , some medical procedures or supplements can help, too.

Start Tracking Your Menstrual Cycle

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Pregnant

Each new menstrual cycle is marked by the first day of your period. And tracking your cycle along with any daily symptoms youre experiencing can be incredibly helpful. Why?

Tracking your cycle helps you get to know your body better, including how long your cycle is. The length of your cycle is what determines your fertile window, which well get to in the next section.

Tracking the symptoms you experience such as changes in sex drive, mood or cervical mucus can help you identify patterns throughout your cycle, including what you typically experience leading up to your most fertile days.

How do you get started? When your next period arrives, start tracking since that is Day 1 of your cycle. You can keep a journal and write things down, or you can use mobile apps such as Fertility Friend and Clue.

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