Natural Ways To Boost Fertility
up to 15 percent of couples. The road to parenthood can sometimes be a huge challenge, but know youre not alone in those challenges.
Luckily, there are a few natural ways to increase your fertility. In fact, food choices and lifestyle changes can help boost fertility.
Here are 16 natural ways to boost fertility and get pregnant faster.
What If You Have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Polycystic ovarian syndrome , a hormonal disorder, is one of the most common reasons for female infertility. It affects between 6% and 12% of American women of reproductive age.
There is no single test to identify PCOS, but a doctor will determine if a woman fulfills two of the following three criteria,the CDC said :
- Irregular periods or no periods, caused from lack of ovulation
- Higher than normal levels of male hormones that may result in excess hair on the face and body, acne or thinning scalp hair
- Multiple small cysts on the ovaries
It is not clear why some women develop this syndrome, although it is often diagnosed when they struggle to get pregnant.
There is a strong link between PCOS-related infertility and weight. About 40% to 60% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese, and healthy eating and exercise have been shown to improve reproductive problems in women with PCOS, according to a 2019 article in the journal Therapeutic Advcances in Reproductive Health . A number of prescribed medications may also induce ovulation and regulate insulin levels, such asletrozole and metformin. High levels of insulin push thepituitary gland to release large amounts of hormones thatdisrupt ovulation.
Doctors recommend in-vitro fertilization if other interventions have not worked, or as a primary treatment if monitoring, cost and accessibility are not issues.
Diet Exercise And Conception
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 .
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Get On The Wheelbarrow Position
If you and your partner are both adventurous, then you need to try this new sex position to conceive a baby.
The woman will hold herself up with her hands while her aroused and standing partner grabs her legs for support and pulls them around his thighs as he enters her.
Why is it one of the sex positions to get pregnant? It allows your partner to have deeper penetration and closeness to your cervix.
Talk To Your Doctor About Your Medications
A range of medications can affect your ability to conceive and can have an impact on your fetus once you become pregnant.
If youre trying for pregnancy, review your prescription medication list with your physician and ask: Do any these have any impact on pregnancy? Dr. Mooney advises.
Some common medications that may affect fetal development include:
- Methotrexate, which is used to treat arthritis.
- Isotretinoin, which is used to treat acne.
- Valproic acid, which is used to treat seizures.
- Warfarin and other blood-thinning medications.
- ACE inhibitors, which are used to lower blood pressure and treat other cardiac conditions.
- Some antibiotics, including doxycycline and tetracycline.
- Some antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, including alprazolam, diazepam, lithium and paroxetine.
Before you panic about stopping a medicine thats integral to your own wellness, theres good news: Dr. Mooney says that in many cases, your doctor can guide you toward a safer swap.
If no alternative is available, though, your doctor will work closely with you to discuss the risks of being pregnant while on the medication and determine the best and safest course of action for you and your fetus.
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Will You Conceive Twins If Youre Breast
In 2006, a study was published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine that found that women who were breast-feeding and got pregnant were more likely to conceive twins. But there arent additional studies to support this information. For this reason, breast-feeding isnt considered to be a factor that increases your likelihood to conceive twins.
Don’t Skip Breakfast When Trying To Get Pregnant
There’s merit to the saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially if you’re trying to get pregnant. That’s especially the case if you have polycystic ovary syndrome , which can be a major factor when it comes to infertility.
According to a 2013 study in the journal Clinical Science, women with PCOS who ate a large breakfast saw improvement in their hormonal health. Additionally, for women who were categorized as having a “normal” weight, eating the majority of their daily calories in the morning reduced both insulin and testosterone levels, both of which can cause infertility. Furthermore, these women were shown to ovulate more than women who ate a smaller breakfast and a larger dinner.
There is one caveat, which is you should decrease the size of your other meals if you increase your breakfast size in order to avoid weight gain.
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Avoid These Animal Products If You’re Trying To Get Pregnant
While meat and fish are a good source of protein and can be part of a healthy diet, if you’re trying to get pregnant, there are some foods that you should avoid, according to registered dietitian Suzanne Fisher. For one, she told Glamour magazine that it’s not a good idea to eat deli meats, as they are vulnerable to listeria but if you just can’t miss out on your turkey sandwich, heat it up until it’s steaming. Fisher also recommends abstaining from raw meats and seafood, as well as eggs, as they can contain bacteria that can infect the fetus via the placenta. So save the sushi for later.
If you’re not a meat eater to begin with, there’s some good news for you! According to a study in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, replacing some of your meat, fish, and eggs with plant-based proteins is linked to reduced infertility risk. Talk to your doctor about making any dietary changes, of course, but it looks like science sided with vegetarians here.
Start Tracking Your Menstrual Cycle
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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Aim For A Healthy Weight
Weight is one of the most influential factors when it comes to fertility for men and women. In fact, being either underweight or overweight is associated with increased infertility.
This is because the amount of fat stored in your body influences menstrual function. Having obesity especially is associated with lack of ovulation and menstrual irregularity but also with impaired egg development.
To improve your chances of getting pregnant, work with your healthcare provider to try to lose weight if youre overweight and gain weight if youre underweight. They can help you do it in a healthy and sustainable way.
Learn Your Family History
Collecting your familys health history can be important for your childs health. You might not realize that your sisters heart defect or your cousins sickle cell disease could affect your child, but sharing this family history information with your doctor can be important.
Other reasons people go for genetic counseling include having had several miscarriages, infant deaths, trouble getting pregnant , or a genetic condition or birth defect that occurred during a previous pregnancy.
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What Are Your Chances Of Getting Pregnant
If youre wondering what your odds are of getting pregnant, your chances are pretty good when youre younger. In fact, an average healthy couple in their 20s and early 30s has about a 25 to 30 percent chance of getting pregnant during any one menstrual cycle, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists .
Though that number may seem low, over the span of a year it means your chances of conceiving are about 75 to 85 percent. Just keep in mind that those odds drop with age, which may be a factor if youre finding that its difficult for you to get pregnant.
The Truth About Sex Positions And Getting Pregnant
When we ask people with strong sexual communication in marriage about the secret of getting pregnant quickly, we are often given much advice on sex positions.
For example, we get advice on what are the best sex positions to get pregnant fast or recommendations on how you should practice the top sex position for getting pregnant.
There are also tips about what to eat, drink, and even what supplements to take. The options and recommendations are endless!
However, we might wonder if sex positions are truly effective in getting pregnant faster!
So, does trying out sexual positions for conceiving really work or not?
Well, there is no scientific evidence to support that positions will get you pregnant fast however, paying attention to what is the best position to get pregnant will still have its own benefits.
Trying new positions can also help you resolve intimacy problems in your relationship.
You enjoy the lovemaking session, and if you do it when you are ovulating, then thats it.
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Cut Back On Strenuous Workouts
Being physically active most days of the week can help a woman’s body prepare for the demands of pregnancy and labor, and has been associated with a reduced risk of fertility problems, scientists reported in the March 2020 issue of the journalHuman Reproduction . But getting too much exercise or doing frequent strenuous workouts could interfere with ovulation,Live Science reported.
Doctors see a lot of menstrual disturbances in women who exercise heavily, and a lot of times these women need to cut back on their workouts if they want to become pregnant, Pavone told Live Science.
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Digital Classes From Motherly
Before we dive into exactly how conception works, remember that your healthcare provider should always be your go-to for questions specific to you and your situation.
How long should you try to conceive before seeking reproductive assistance?
Generally speaking, we say that if you are under the age of 35 and have been trying to get pregnant through sex for 12 months, or 6 months for those 35 and older, it’s time to reach out to your provider for support. But you can always check in sooner if you have concerns.
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Safety During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding
Vaccination is an important part of a healthy pregnancy, with health benefits for both the pregnant person and their baby.
Pregnancy increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Getting this disease during pregnancy increases the risk for:
- stillbirth
- premature birth
- pre-eclampsia
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that people who are planning a pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding get a:
- complete series with an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
- booster dose when eligible
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine can help prevent serious illness, hospitalization and pregnancy complications.
Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been growing from real-world use. Hundreds of thousands of pregnant or breastfeeding people around the world have safely received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Large studies found no increase in rates of:
- pregnancy loss
- preterm birth
- stillbirth
Vaccinated people can pass antibodies to their baby through the placenta and through breastmilk. Evidence suggests that getting vaccinated during pregnancy may help prevent COVID-19 hospitalization among infants under 6 months of age.
Pregnant people can safely get vaccinated against COVID-19 at any time during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Learn more about:
Decide: Will You Wing Itor Plan It
If you are trying to get pregnant through sex, do you want to take more of a let’s see what happens” approach to getting pregnant, or would you feel better charting and strategizing? Either is fine! And know that you can change your mind as you go.
If you decide to have a conception plan, then understanding your cycle is key.
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Make Sure Youre Using A Fertility
The kind of lubricant you use during sex can actually make conception more difficult, so much so that the Food and Drug Administration now categorizes certain lubricants as fertility friendly.
This is because the ingredients in many lubricants, such as petroleum, silicone, parabens and glycerin, can harm sperm function. A lubricants pH can also have an effect.
Have Fun And Don’t Rush
Some research has found that lengthier foreplay and increased sexual arousal may increase the quantity of sperm in men. For women, foreplay often means more cervical fluids. Cervical fluids are essential in helping sperm swim and survive the vaginal environment.
Longer foreplay also may increase the chances of female orgasm, another possible boost to conception. If you only have time for a quickie, by all means, don’t skip having sexespecially if it’s a fertile time of the month. But whenever possible, take your time. Even if your lovemaking doesn’t yield a pregnancy, it will likely enhance your relationship and help to ease any anxiety you may be having around trying to conceive.
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Don’t Worry About The Best Positions For Getting Pregnant
Myths abound about the best positions for getting pregnant, but they are just that — myths. There is really no scientific evidence saying that the missionary position is better than the woman being on top when it comes to maximizing your chances of making a baby.
“Very rarely, a woman’s cervix is in an unusual position where certain positions can make a difference,” Goldfarb tells WebMD.
Certain gravity-defying positions, such as sitting or standing during intercourse, however, may discourage sperm from traveling upstream. “It’s a matter of gravity you don’t want all the semen to run out — and semen are quick little critters,” Hillard says.
Positions Orgasms And Lube
There are a lot of myths about sex, fertility, and how to make pregnancy more likely. Some of these recommend different positions or keeping the hips elevated after sex for a period of time.
Others claim that if the woman orgasms , conception is more likely. Unfortunately, there are no studies that support these claims.
The one thing you should think about is your lubricant. Certain products can decrease sperm motility and viability. These are important when trying to get pregnant.
Youll want to avoid:
- Astroglide
If you need to use a lubricant, try:
- Pre-Seed
These products wont interfere with your partners sperm.
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Don’t Forget The Dentist
It may seem totally unrelated to fertility, but getting your teeth and gums checked out before pregnancy is another wise move, says Dr. Greene. More research links oral health to a healthy pregnancy women with unchecked gum disease are more prone to miscarriage, preterm birth, and preeclampsia. “In fact, brushing, flossing, and seeing the dentist regularly can cut your miscarriage risk by up to 70%,” he says. Having your teeth examined now gives you time to get gingivitis under control and get x-rays if you need them. If your oral health is less than stellar, your dentist may recommend you come in for cleanings every few months.
Don’t Skimp On Your Sleep If You’re Trying To Get Pregnant
While it’s often said that you’re eating for two when you’re pregnant, if you’re trying to conceive, you need to think like you’re sleeping for two, says psychologist Dr. Melissa Burkley. “A study on sleep issues found that women who suffer from insomnia are four times more likely to struggle with fertility compared to their well-rested sisters,” she penned in an article in Psychology Today. “That’s a whopping 400 increase!”
That’s just the tip of the iceberg, too, as getting sufficient rest is vital for every step of the reproductive process. Poor sleep causes menstrual irregularities and lower levels of the hormone FSH, both of which can decrease your odds of getting pregnant. It also can lead to pregnancy issues like longer labor, preterm delivery, increased chances of C-section delivery, and increased risk of miscarriage. So don’t skimp on your shuteye!
Finally, if you work the night shift, see if you can switch to the day shift if you’re trying to get pregnant. Night shift workers are especially vulnerable to losing sleep.
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