Tips for Trying to Conceive

Trying to conceive is a stressful process. You have to ensure that you’re eating well, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep, all while making sure you’re having sex frequently enough. For some couples, it can also be difficult to talk about the topic of pregnancy openly with others because of social stigma or embarrassment over issues like infertility. Watching friends and family members get pregnant can make it especially difficult. However, if you are going through this process yourself or are supporting someone else who is trying for a baby, here are some tips for getting started:

Eat Well

While you’re trying to conceive, it’s important to make sure you are eating a well-balanced diet. Try to avoid caffeine and alcohol while you’re trying to conceive, as they can interfere with your chances of getting pregnant. Also stay away from soft drinks and sugary snacks, which are high in calories but low in nutrients that your body needs for conception and pregnancy. You can also find foods that boot fertility and balance hormones when you are trying to conceive.

Avoid Using Spermicides

Spermicides can cause irritation, allergic reactions, yeast infections, and more. Not to mention, their sole purpose is to prevent pregnancy by immobilizing sperm. Your best bet is to use fertility-friendly lubricant if needed and to go au natural when you are trying to get pregnant. Watch out for hidden spermicides in your favorite products as well.

Find Ways to Relax

Find ways to relax. Stress can interfere with your fertility, so it is important to reduce the stress in your life as much as you can. Try meditating, practicing yoga, getting a massage, or taking up tai chi classes. These activities may help you unwind and become more relaxed, which in turn will improve your chances of conceiving.

Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water. Water is essential to your body and its functions, including conception. Men and women who are trying to conceive should drink at least eight glasses of water a day, possibly more depending on their activity level. This includes even when you don’t feel thirsty—the more hydrated you are, the better your chances for successful conception will be. Drink water before sex as well. Semen contains a lot of nutrients that are necessary for healthy sperm production, so drinking plenty of water can help provide them to your body. 

Try to Have Intercourse Daily

To maximize your chances of conceiving, you and your partner should try to have sex every day. The more frequently you engage in intercourse, the more sperm a man will produce and the more likely it is that an egg will be released from a woman’s ovary at the right time. Alternately, engage in intercourse when a woman’s fertility tracker indicates that she may be fertile. These fertile windows are the best time to have sex daily.

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is an important part of your health and well-being. Sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain and fatigue, which can also have a negative impact on fertility. Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. And make sure that you wake up feeling rested.

Check Your Fertility Status Regularly

Fertility tests can be done in a doctor’s office or at home. However, you may want to consider having the test done by your doctor as it takes more time and preparation for the home kit. Also, if the results are inaccurate, you may need to make an appointment with your doctor anyway.

Reach Out to People Who Understand

If you’ve struggled with infertility or it’s taking a long time to conceive, it can get discouraging. It’s best to have at least a few people who understand what you are going through and can provide a listening ear when you feel frustrated. You can also reach out online. There are many forums online where people share their experiences trying for a baby which can really help put things into perspective.