How to Get Pregnant

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How to Get Pregnant
Edited byJack Herrick and 81 others

For some people, avoiding pregnancy is difficult; but for others, conceiving a child can be elusive and frustrating. There are only six days per monthly cycle during which a woman can conceive[1]and there are many factors which can affect fertility and conception. Here's how to increase the likelihood of pregnancy.

Steps 1. 1
Discontinue any form of birth control.

Discontinue any form of birth control. Some birth control methods have a longer "readjustment" period after stopping than others, so the time it takes for a woman's body to be again ready to become pregnant varies. For example, women using Depo-Provera, an injectable contraceptive, usually do not get pregnant until 9-10 months after their last injection.[2] On the other hand, ceasing to use barrier methods has an immediate effect.

2. 2
Make healthy lifestyle choices. Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, and keep stress under control. Illness and stress can both affect the timing of ovulation, making it difficult to predict.[3]

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Both partners should eat a well-balanced diet, including foods high in antioxidants (e.g. fruits and vegetables) and vitamins, and consider eating less seafood, as it is associated with increasing blood levels of mercury, which has been linked to fertility problems.[4] Consumption of pesticides may also be linked to pregnancy difficulties,[5]so now may be a good time for couples to choose organic foods. For women, taking folic acid supplements before trying to conceive may reduce the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects.[6] Visit a doctor for pre-conception planning to identify any necessary lifestyle changes, as well as to check if any of the medications either partner is taking can decrease chances of pregnancy or damage a developing fetus. There may also be vaccines needed to prevent illness or defects in an unborn child. Stop smoking. Tobacco affects cervical mucous in ways that may obstruct fertilization.[7] Smoking also reduces sperm count and sperm health.[8] Exposure to secondhand smoke can be just as counterproductive.[9]

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Sleep better.

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Sleep better. Sleep deprivation results in lower levels of the hormone leptin, without which ovulation may be affected.[10] Quit caffeine (or at least cut back). A recent study has shown that consuming more than 200 mg of caffeine (approximately two cups of coffee, but it can come from other sources like tea and soda as well) on a daily basis during the first trimester of pregnancy can significantly increase the likelihood of miscarriage.[11] Since you don't know instantly when you're pregnant, you may want to consider quitting caffeine or reducing your intake to, say, a single cup of coffee per day.

3. 3
Try to conceive based on predicted ovulation.

Try to conceive based on predicted ovulation. Have intercourse at least once a day in the days leading up to and during ovulation.[12] Have intercourse at least 2-3 times per week when ovulation is not predicted, just in case.[13]

4. 4
Take a pregnancy test if you miss a period.

Take a pregnancy test if you miss a period. Wait at least 28 days from the day you were supposed to get your period before using a home pregnancy test, or else you may get a false negative result.[14] A blood test administered by a doctor, however, can be taken as soon as a period is missed without any sacrifices in accuracy.

Tracking Ovulation

1. 1
Record the first day and the length of menstruation every month.

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If menstruation consistently starts every 28 days, you can reasonably assume that ovulation occurs 14 days after the first day of menstruation.[15]

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If menstrual cycles are more than 28 days long but are consistent, subtract 18 from the average number of days in your cycles. For example, if menstruation begins reliably every 35 days, the difference is 17. On that day in the cycle is when ovulation can be expected to take place.[16] If cycles are short, irregular or unpredictable, this method won't work.[17]

2. 2
Record your basal body temperature (BBT) daily. BBT is your body's temperature when you're fully at rest and can be measured with a thermometer specifically labeled for basal temperature.

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Make a graph on graph paper or on the computer, with dates on the bottom and basal temperature on the side. You can find and print fertility charts online, as well as sign up for a fertility charting service. Look for a gradual or sudden rise in temperature (between 0.5 and 1.6 degrees F).[18] Fertility is highest during the two to three days before your basal temperature rises[19] so if you can observe any month-to-month patterns in when your temperature rises, you can predict the best time to conceive.

3. 3
Observe changes in cervical mucus daily. At the beginning of a menstrual cycle, it's sparse, tacky, and dense; when ovulation is near, it starts becoming more slippery and plentiful, resembling raw egg white.[20] It gets like this in order to help the sperm reach the egg.[21] To check your cervical mucous, wash your hands, rub some toilet paper or your fingers over the opening of the vagina, examine the color and consistency of the mucous, and write it down.[22]

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Checking cervical mucous can reinforce observations about ovulation gathered in other steps. 22 out of 100 women practicing only this method for one year will get pregnant. It'll be less effective for women who naturally do produce very little mucous, or who use feminine hygiene products and douches.[23] Checking right after showering, bathing, swimming, or intercourse can also make this method less accurate.[24] If you're comfortable with it, you can also observe the position of your cervix to determine whether you are ovulating. Wash your hands, insert two fingers, and feel the end of the cervix. If it's hard and dry, like the tip of a nose, you haven't ovulated yet. During ovulation, the cervix will shift higher and feel softer and wetter.[25]

4. 4
Test your urine with an ovulation monitoring kit. These can be purchased over the counter and work by detecting the surge in hormones that takes place right before ovulation. Follow the instructions that come with the kit carefully. This method can be expensive, and is

best used after the previous steps have been followed but have the benefit of giving you advance notice.

Tips
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Just because a previous child was conceived quickly doesn't mean any following pregnancies will be just as easy to come by. As a woman gets older, the likelihood of conception decreases.[26] Vaginal sprays and scented tampons can result in a pH imbalance in the vagina that's not good for conception.[27] Artificial lubricants, vegetable oils, and glycerin can kill off sperm.[27] Douching alters the normal acidity of the vagina and may wash away the cervical mucus that is required to transport the sperm.[27]



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Cough medicine will not increase your chances of getting pregnant.[28] That is a myth. A man can wear briefs without decreasing his sperm count. However, hot baths or whirlpools will cause a man's sperm to slow down and may reduce sperm count.[28] Use assisted reproductive technology (ART), if not successful any other way. Sometimes, nature needs a helping hand. Fortunately, there are many alternatives how to increase pregnancy-chances with ART. Many ART procedures involve surgically removing eggs from a woman’s ovaries, combining them with sperm in the laboratory, and returning them to the woman’s body or donating them to another woman. Don't refrain from intercourse because of concerns over sperm counts being depleted. While sperm count may be lowered by increased frequency of intercourse, there is still statistically a better chance of pregnancy if the couple tries to conceive more often.[29] While it hasn't been scientifically proven, it's generally thought that positions which place the sperm close to the cervix are more conducive to pregnancy, specifically the "missionary position" with a pillow under the woman's hips. Remaining in bed for at least a half hour after intercourse may also increase the chances of sperm reaching the egg.[30]

Warnings


Ovulation monitoring kits can be so specific about timing that you may miss the mark by concentrating your conception efforts into a very narrow time defined by the kit.[31] The pressure associated with using these kits can also result in stress, which will not help the chances of pregnancy.[32]

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Make sure that you and your partner are disease and infection free before stopping any barrier methods of birth control. Trying too hard to get pregnant, especially by strictly following a schedule, can cause stress and reduce physical and emotional intimacy between you and your partner. Many couples recommend being creative with intercourse and keeping it lighthearted and fun.[33] Consult a doctor if both partners are in their early 30s or younger and in good health have not conceived after a year[34] plus the expected recovery time from a birth control method. Those who are older, experience menstruation cycles that are longer than 35 days, or have reason to suspect fertility issues may wish to visit a doctor sooner.

Getting pregnant maybe the easiest of all things, however, some couples do find it hard to conceive for several reasons, including weak or insufficient sperm count. In some cases, as when nature needs a boost, a little push from you and your partner can go a long way in getting pregnant. When it comes to the best position to get pregnant, the general rule is that the male sperm must be deposited as near to the female cervix as possible. This has something to do with the life spans of the female egg and the male sperm. Once an egg is released from the ovary - a stage also known as ovulation - it begins its path down the fallopian tube to the uterus. A released egg typically survives for only 24 hours, while a sperm can last anywhere from three to five days in the female body. As such, the egg has to be as close to the egg as possible so they can meet and join before the egg dies. While not a lot of people will agree that the sexual positions have anything to do with getting pregnant, the logical inference is that it makes sense to assume the position that can help the sperm meet the egg in the shortest possible time. This is especially true when for couples who have problems or difficulty conceiving. Having said this, the first "best position to get pregnant" tip is to avoid positions that least expose the cervix to the male sperm, and that generally defy gravity such as sex while standing up, sitting down, or with the woman on top. When trying to conceive, it is best to limit the amount of sperm that flows back out of the vagina. The woman's hips should also be positioned in such a way that the sperm released is kept inside, giving it enough time to swim up to the female cervix. Consider the following positions instead: 1. The missionary position. Or man-on-top is said to be the position that's best for getting pregnant. This is because this particular position allows for the deepest possible penetration, making it possible for the sperm to get deposited closest to the cervix. 2. Raise the hips. Elevating the hips, which can be done by placing a pillow behind her, can also be helpful because this exposes the female cervix to as much semen as the male can release. 3. Doggy-style. The rear-entry position where the man enters the woman from behind is also a

recommended position. In this position, sperm is also deposited closest to the cervix, thereby helping increase the chances of conception. 4. Side-by-side. You can also try having intercourse while lying side by side. This position likewise causes the most exposure of the cervix to the male sperm. 5. Orgasms. Finally, while this has nothing to do with sexual positions, there are also researches that suggest the importance of the female orgasm in conceiving. According to studies, female orgasm leads to contractions that could push sperm up into the cervix. The lesson: have fun while trying to conceive.

Top 10 Pregnancy Tips Women Should Know
1. Ovulation: You should always be keeping track of when you are ovulating. This is the time in a woman’s body when she is the most fertile and has the easiest chance of getting pregnant. Keep track of your periods. Know that the ovulation occurs mid cycle of the 2. 3. periods. Use a journal to know the days that you start and stop so you are more accurate. Body Temperature: It is going to help to keep track of your body temperature every morning. Your core body temperature is going to rise a bit when you are ovulating. This is when you need to start doing something with the hubby. Again you want to track it in a journal. Mucus Secretion: This is not one of the coolest things to look for – but it is a simple way to know if you are ovulating. Around this time most women will secrete some type of cervical mucus. When it stops you know that time is over. This is a great time to make your move and try to get pregnant. Ovulation Kits: These are great to use and make this whole process so much easier on you. With this it will be able to give you an estimate of when you are ovulating. This keeps you from having to keep track of things. They work just like a pregnancy test would and can help you to know how to get pregnant fast. Holding Back: Most women think it makes sense to have sex as often as possible – but this might actually work against you. Sperm from a man can survive as long as three days so doing it more often actually won’t have any effect. You could do it is often as once every 2 or 3 days. Men often deliver more if you wait longer periods. Aim: the closer the sperm can get to the cervix the better chances you have at trying to get pregnant fast. That is why women will often raise their lower bodies after having sex. Lie on the floor and prop your legs on the bed. This helps them to move faster and is a great tip on teaching you how to get pregnant fast. Enjoy Yourself: What is the point of having all that sex if you are not going to enjoy it? Understand that you are doing this so that you are able to get pregnant – but also have fun! When the woman is aroused her hormones are kicking in and this gives her a needed boost. What You Should Not Do: Treat your body as if you are already pregnant and you are trying to protect the baby. You should not be drinking alcohol, smoking, or drinking coffee (or large amounts of caffeine). You should also not be eating junk food or exercising too 9. much. This will just mess with your body. What You Should Do: Try to stick to eating organic foods that help to give you the nutrients you need and to keep your body feeling

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healthy and energized. You can exercise – but don’t overdo it. Also make sure to drink a lot of water. Take the supplements that help reduce birth defects and try to take fertility drugs that will assist in you learning how to get pregnant fast. 10. Infertility Treatments: These should only be used when nothing else seems to work with your body. The problem with these is that they are highly expensive and you do not even know if they are really going to work for you. It is also physically and emotionally stressful on your body.

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