When You Should Try To Get Pregnant

Have A Sexual Health Check

Getting Pregnant: Everything you need to know (tips from a Fertility Doctor)

Sexually transmitted infections can affect your fertility, as well as any future pregnancy and baby.

If there is any reason to think you or your reproductive partner may have a STI, its important that you both get tested. The best places to go are a GUM clinic, sexual health clinic, your own doctor or a young peoples clinic.

Weight Fertility And Conception

Being overweight or underweight can cause hormonal changes that interfere with ovulation and reduce fertility. On average, women who are obese take longer to conceive than women in the healthy weight range and are more likely to experience infertility.

In men, obesity can lower fertility. This is likely due to a combination of factors including hormone problems, problems with erection or other health conditions linked to obesity.

Avoid Fad Dieting If You’re Trying To Get Pregnant

When you’re trying to get pregnant, it’s important to avoid any fad dieting, even if you’re trying to get to a healthier body weight. “Restrictive diets are not only difficult and not science-based, but they can also put you at risk for nutrient deficiencies,” says registered dietitian Amanda A. Kostro Miller. “Being nutrient deficient can have a huge impact on your overall health and the health of a small fetus.” That’s especially true when it comes to nutrients like folic acid, which are super critical for the fetus in the earliest stages of pregnancy.

So rather than try out juice cleansing or the keto diet, or eschewing real food in favor of protein shakes, Kostro Miller says to focus instead on eating a healthy and well-rounded diet. “Most women even need special supplementation right around the time of conception,” she continued. “So talk to your doctor about when and what supplements you will need to take.”

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If I Stop Trying To Conceive Will I Get Pregnant

Those outside the infertility community often suggest couples stop trying and just try to relax or offer stories of their friends who became pregnant after adopting or when they stopped TTC. There is no physiological reason to explain this phenomenon. Many women with previously diagnosed unexplained infertility may be able to conceive spontaneously. However, if someone has been diagnosed with infertility in the past the likelihood they will need treatment for a future pregnancy is very high.

Cons Of Getting Pregnant During A Recession

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A looming recession doesnt bode well not just for couples, but just about everyone in society. Here are the key issues brought about by recession and why it could be better to hunker down, and delay baby-making till the recession passes.

#1 Potential layoffs and greater uncertainty

What if you lose your job? Will you have enough to provide for not just yourself, but your new family member as well?

As companies tighten their belts to prepare for a recession, trimming their employee headcount is a real possibility, in order to lower cost and reallocate resources. Mass layoffs have been rampant in recent weeks, with StashAway, Crypto.com, Gemini, Coinbase and Shopee all amongst the big names cutting their workforce .

Job security is crucial for any parent, as no job means no income, and money would be a major concern with an additional mouth to feed.

#2 Additional expenses to factor in

During a recession, the economic outlook is poor and people are more aware of their spending, looking to tighten their belts.

Becoming pregnant will add to your financial pressures, and could be a struggle if you or your partner get laid off. Not only will a newborn require additional cost to raise, but the entire pregnancy journey also comes with its own set of costs, such as supplements, doctor visits and insurance. For couples that are finding it difficult to conceive, tapping on conception procedures such as Intrauterine Insemination or In-vitro Fertilisation also comes at a cost.

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What’s The Best Position For Ttc Sex

Common sense says that deep penetration will dispense sperm closer to the cervix, but there’s no evidence to back up the theory that there is a “best” position for conception. Regardless of how you get down to business, sperm are present in the cervical canal just seconds after ejaculation.

That means your favorite position gives the best chance to get pregnant, says Shari Brasner, M.D., OB-GYN at New York City’s Mount Sinai Hospital. “There is no rationale for sex to be uncomfortable or awkward.”

To avoid making sex stressful, don’t worry about which coital position is best or which will lower your chances of conception. Do what makes you feel comfortable.

Tracking Ovulation With Irregular Periods

If you experience irregular menstrual cycles, tracking ovulation could be helpful using several different tools.

Cycle chart

If your cycle is irregular, try tracking it on your calendar for a few reasons. You might notice a pattern, and you can share the information from your tracking efforts with your gynecologist or fertility specialist.

Cervical mucus

Your cervical mucus changes when you ovulate. Cervical mucus is minimal during the first few days after your menstrual cycle. Then, it will start to increase. As you approach ovulation, your cervical mucus will become more plentiful, clear, slippery, and sticky. A lot of people compare its consistency to egg whites.

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Wait To Take A Pregnancy Test

Taking pregnancy tests wont change how quickly you get pregnant, but it can affect your perception of time. Especially if you take multiple early tests, peeing on a stick frequently can make the days and weeks feel much longer.

Instead, commit to only taking a pregnancy test when your period is at least one day late. In other words, if you expected your period on Tuesday or Wednesday of a particular week, dont take the test until Thursday. Better yet, wait until Friday.

Its not easy to wait to see if youre pregnant, but remind yourself that when you take an early test, you are more likely to get a false negative anyway.

What Can Affect Male Fertility

How to Get Pregnant Fast – Tips for Quick Conception

Even if a person is having regular sexual intercourse and tracking ovulation, there can be reasons why the sperm cannot reach the egg.

Causes of male infertility include:

  • Sperm morphology: Differences in the size and shape of the sperm can impact fertility.
  • Low sperm count: The male partners ejaculate fluid does not contain sufficient sperm. Fertility doctors consider a person to have a low sperm count if they have under 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen the fewer the sperm, the lower the chances of conception.
  • Low sperm motility: This means the sperm cannot move as efficiently to reach the egg.

There are a variety of medical conditions that

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Trying To Get Pregnant Don’t Eat Trans Fats

It should come as no surprise that a healthy diet is important when you’re pregnant. But it’s also super important when you’re trying to conceive, as what you eat can have a significant impact on your fertility. That’s what registered dietitian Kendra Tolbert told Glamour magazine, calling out trans fats found in fried foods, salty snacks, and some baked goods as one of the least optimal foods to eat as you work to bring a baby into being.

Specifically, trans fats can cause inflammation and insulin resistance, which in turn can lower your fertility. They can also damage your blood vessels, which can hinder the nutrients you need from getting to your reproductive system. Even men should avoid trans fats, as they can lower sperm quality and count!

That being said, you don’t have to avoid all fats when you’re trying to get pregnant, as the healthy fat found in wild salmon, avocados, and olive oil, for example, are good for fertility, according to U.S. News & World Report. Also, opt for full-fat dairy as opposed to reduced fat, but avoid unpasteurized soft cheeses. Low-fat dairy products may contain androgens, and soft cheeses could contain listeria.

Stop Drinking Alcohol Smoking And Using Certain Drugs

Smoking, drinking alcohol, and using certain drugs can cause many problems during pregnancy for a woman and her baby, such as premature birth, birth defects, and infant death.

If you are trying to get pregnant and cannot stop drinking, smoking, or using drugsget help! Contact your doctor or local treatment center.

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Is There A Best Position To Have Sex In

It doesnt matter what position you have sex in when youre trying to get pregnant. As long as the man ejaculates into the vagina, sperm can travel through the cervix and womb to the fallopian tubes where it can fertilise the egg.

Sexual positions that allow for deep penetration are likely to be the best for conception as they allow the sperm to be deposited as close to the cervix as possible. The missionary position is often recommended for this reason.

After youve had sex you might also like to place a pillow under your hips to tilt the pelvis and help the sperm to travel.

There is no science or research that proves or disproves either of these suggestions above. It is completely up to you whether you wish to try these ideas out.

Make A Plan And Take Action

How Long Should You Try to Get Pregnant Before Going to the Doctor ...

Whether or not youve written them down, youve probably thought about your goals for having or not having children, and how to achieve those goals. For example, when you didnt want to have a baby, you used effective birth control methods to achieve your goals. Now that youre thinking about getting pregnant, its really important to take steps to achieve your goal getting pregnant and having a healthy baby!

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Why It’s Key To Prioritize Intimacy Throughout Your Cycle

It’s true that trying to get pregnant can end up feeling more strategic than steamy and taking the planning part too far can backfire as well. “Sometimes focusing on tracking ovulation and trying to conceive on a particular day adds stress and anxiety, which may impact fertility,” acknowledges Dr. Henne. For that reason, she notes that you might just want to track a bit at first to have a better understanding of when you ovulate, and then just aim to have sex once a day or every other day around ovulation.

And during the rest of the month, don’t forget to have plenty of sex for fun and a variety of other benefits. “Maintaining intimacy is important for couples attempting conception,” says Dr. Henne. “Frequent sex decreases the pressures of sex focused around ovulation. And regular sex will also maintain the highest quality of the sperm in the ejaculate.” And if all of that also ends up ultimately leading to a happy, healthy pregnancy and baby, that’s what you’d call a win-win.

What Positions Are Best

With hundreds of millions of sperm released in each male orgasm, any unprotected sex around the time of ovulation could result in a pregnancy. As long as sperm enter the vagina, you have a chance to conceive.

No certain positions during sex have been proven to increase likelihood of conception. Yet certain positions may be better than others for ensuring those little swimmers find their way up to the egg. The missionary and doggie-style positions allow for deeper penetration bringing sperm in closer proximity to the cervix.

In the standing and woman-on-top positions, gravity works against you. Yet standing up right after sex shouldnt reduce your odds of a pregnancy. Sperm are pretty good swimmers. Once deposited in the vagina, they can reach the cervix within 15 minutes.

Though you dont need to raise your legs in the air after sex, or even lie flat on your back to help them get there, it cant hurt. Placing a pillow under your lower back will also keep the sperm swimming in the right direction.

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Stop Smoking Recreational Drugs Alcohol

It’s best to avoid smoking, recreational drugs and alcohol while you are trying to get pregnant and throughout your pregnancy.

If you smoke or take recreational drugs then giving up will improve your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to your baby, with the more you drink the greater the risk. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all, to keep risks to your baby to a minimum. If your partner smokes, drinks or takes drugs then it is also important that they cut down on these substances while you are trying to get pregnant. Apart from the secondary effects on you, cigarettes, recreational drugs and alcohol can all have an adverse effect on the quality of sperm.

What You Should Know About Trying To Conceive

How to get pregnant fast? | Dr. Sudeshna Ray

07/07/2022

What does it mean to try to conceive ? When couples are ready to start a family there can be many questions. Some of the most common question are: When is my fertile window? How often do we need to have intercourse? and How long should it take?. Confusion or misconceptions can delay the chance of conceiving and many couples underestimate how long they have actually been trying.

SGF Pennsylvania physician, Brianna Schumacher, M.D., M.S.C.R, who sees patients at SGFs Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, office provides insight into what it means to TTC and when to see a fertility specialist to optimize your chances at achieving a pregnancy.

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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.

Take Note Of Crampy Aches

Another clue that you’re at your most fertile point is mid-cycle abdominal pain. Called mittelschmerz , this cramping may be mild or painful it often happens on one side, by the ovary that’s releasing an egg. But it also can be an allover ache. Don’t worry if you never feel a thing, though only about one in five women have mittelschmerz.

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What To Expect At Your Appointment

During your first visit with a fertility specialist, your doctor will ask a lot of questions about your history, to try to understand factors that may be making it harder to become pregnant. They may order some blood tests to try to understand any irregularities that might be keeping you from getting pregnant, and to make sure you are in the best possible health to become pregnant. Theyll also order a semen analysis on your partner though this wont be performed on the day of your initial appointment. Depending on your medical history, you might also plan an ultrasound and additional imaging to further explore. If you arent ovulating, your doctor may prescribe medications, including ones that can help induce ovulation. The best choice is very personal and your doctor will help you understand all of your options.

Wherever you are on your fertility journey, remember that approximately 85% of healthy women will get pregnant within a year of trying. For those who struggle to conceive, you can increase your chances by mixing love with science and seeing a doctor who specializes in fertility.

We want our patients to feel as comfortable as possible during this emotional and sometimes stressful time. Our team is committed to providing the most caring, compassionate, and leading-edge fertility care available.

Causes Of Female Infertility

If you can

Female infertility is a factor for about one-third of couples who are trying to conceive.

The most common cause is a problem with ovulation. If you dont ovulate, you wont release an egg to be fertilized.

Ovulation problems can be caused by:

A problem with the uterus can also make it harder to get pregnant. This may be due to an abnormal structure, or due to growths like fibroids.

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Trying To Get Pregnant

Pregnancy happens when sperm enters a vagina, travels through the cervix and womb to the fallopian tube and fertilises an egg.

Youre more likely to get pregnant around the time you are ovulating. This is when an egg becomes ready and you are at your most fertile.

If you are under 40 and have regular sex without using contraception, there is an 8 in 10 chance you will get pregnant within 1 year.

Avoid Smoking Cannabis If You’re Trying To Get Pregnant

Cannabis use is on the rise among adults in the United States, thanks to legalization for medicinal and recreational purposes, according to Science Daily. But if you’re a regular marijuana smoker who’s trying to get pregnant, you should stop smoking, says reproductive endocrinologist and fertility expert Dr. David Diaz. “Whether smoking tobacco or marijuana, excessive use of either can lead to a decrease in the couple’s fertility,” he explained to The List. “Marijuana can lead to low sperm motility and diminished libido, thereby reducing lovemaking.” And that’s the last thing you need if you’re trying to have a baby!

Don’t go reaching for the edibles, tinctures, or patches either, as they can harm your unborn baby, according to the CDC. Specifically, THC has been shown to cause low birth weight and slow down development, as well as increase the baby’s risk of learning disorders later in life. So, total cessation is the way to go.

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