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When you've decided you're ready to start a family, you want the process to be as easy and stress-free as possible. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to speed everything along. When you take measures to improve your fertility, time your ovulation cycle, and have intercourse effectively, you could be preparing for your bundle of joy in no time.
Steps
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Cut back on the caffeine. Too much caffeine can limit your fertility. Aim for no more than 500 mg per day. If you brew your own coffee at home, this is about five cups. However, if you grab your java at the local coffee shop, that 16-ounce serving of latte or Americano should be your limit for the day. [1] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Eat nutritious foods. You should always eat a balanced diet. Aim for a variety of foods that will help you get your daily requirements of iron, calcium, folic acid, and protein. You can get these nutrients from raisins, dark leafy greens, legumes, broccoli, and fortified whole grain breads. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important. If you're vegan, you don't have to start eating fish for omega-3s. You can get them from flax seeds and walnuts. [2] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
- Make sure to limit sugary foods and saturated fats as well. [3] X Trustworthy Source USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion U.S. agency responsible for promoting good nutrition based on scientific research Go to source
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Achieve a healthy body weight. If you're overweight, it could take you twice as long to get pregnant as it would for a woman of normal weight. If you're underweight, it could take you four times as long. Talk to your doctor about an exercise regimen that will help you achieve a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) . [4] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
- If you are a healthy body weight, keep your diet consistent and healthy.
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Limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol has a negative effect on fertility. Women who consume more than 2 drinks per day have a high risk of infertility, and men who consume alcohol in excess tend to have lower sperm counts. If you decide to consume alcohol, one drink (12 fl oz./355 mL regular beer, 5 fl oz./148 mL table wine, 1.5 fl oz./44 mL distilled spirits) per day should be your limit. [5] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Stop smoking. If you smoke, quit the moment you decide you want to have a baby. Smoking could make you less fertile and increase your risk of an ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. It's also known to cause a host of birth defects, such as low birth weight and underdeveloped lungs.
- If you have a partner, they should quit, too. Secondhand smoke is just as dangerous as primary smoke. If your partner is the intended father, smoking can have a negative effect on his sperm. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Take prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins prepare your body for the task of nourishing an extra person. They also contain extra folic acid, which can prevent spina bifida in the developing fetus. Because spina bifida often develops before a woman know she's pregnant, doctors recommend taking a prenatal vitamin as soon as you decide you want to start a family. [7] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
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Visit your doctor. They'll probably do a full exam and go over your medical history. Tell them about any prescription medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements. They'll tell you which ones you'll need to stop taking and which ones are safe. Let them also know about your:
- Reproductive issues, including past pregnancies, miscarriages, ovarian cysts, fibroid tumors, endometriosis, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or reproductive cancer.
- Vaccination history, especially vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella. [8] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source If you contract these illnesses during pregnancy, they can harm the fetus.
- Family medical history, including siblings or parents who have had cancer, heart disease, or genetic abnormalities.
- Exercise habits.
- Partner's medical history, if applicable. This includes low sperm count, history of measles, mumps, rubella, or other illnesses that can affect fertility. [9] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
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Seek a specialist if necessary. Women's fertility steadily decreases after the age of 35. For men, the effects are less clear. If you're under 35, try to conceive for a year before you see a doctor for fertility testing. If you're over 35, wait six months. See your family doctor or regular gynecologist first. They'll refer you to a specialist if you need to see one. Give your doctor details about every measure you've taken to conceive. The most common tests you'll undergo are: [10] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
- Pap smear to check for cervical cancer.
- Urine test to check for chlamydia, which can block your fallopian tubes.
- Blood test during your period to check for hormonal imbalances.
- Blood test during or after your period to test for ovulation.
- Blood test at any time during your cycle to check for rubella.
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Stop using hormonal birth control . These methods (pills, patch, intrauterine contraceptive, Depo-Provera, etc.) can alter your menstrual cycle. To plan your pregnancy, you'll need to know the length of your cycle and how long your periods last without birth control. If you were on the Pill or the patch, your body might need extra time to re-regulate.
- If you need another month or two, use a condom. Each woman's body is unique. Some women have to wait up to a year after stopping their birth control, while others can get pregnant immediately.
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Count the days of your menstrual cycle. If your cycle is regular, you may be able to determine your egg's next release through your Fallopian tubes with simple math. If your cycle is 28 days long, you'll probably ovulate around day 12 to 14. A good rule of thumb is to count back 16 days from the first day of your next period . You'll probably ovulate up to five days after that day. [11] X Research source
- There are also plenty of calculators available online.
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Chart your basal body temperature. Your basal temperature (lowest body temperature in any given 24-hour period) will rise 0.2 degrees F (0.11 degrees C) a few days after you ovulate. You can use any thermometer that measure to 1/10th of a degree. [12] X Research source You're looking for fluctuations that are smaller than a degree, which are difficult to see on a regular thermometer. You can find a basal thermometer at your local drug store or big box store. [13] X Research source
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Check your cervical mucus. Monitor color and texture. Your mucus will increase and be most slippery around the time of your ovulation. If you can stretch it between your fingers, you probably are ovulating. These changes can be difficult to detect, so monitor for them often. [14] X Research source
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Buy an ovulation kit. Ovulation prediction kits can predict a released egg a day in advance. It uses the same methodology as a pregnancy test. However, they can cost anywhere from $20 to $50 for a box of test strips or sticks. You can buy them in your local drug store.
- Ovulation kits test levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine. This means you'll have to urinate on a stick. Unfortunately, it's not 100 percent accurate, so don't depend only on this method. [15] X Research source
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Start having intercourse before you ovulate. Sperm can survive for up to five days in your body. Therefore, if you aim for two to three days before to the day of ovulation, you should be able to get pregnant. If you want to play it safe, have intercourse every day or every other day during the second and third weeks of your cycle. [16] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Skip the lubricants. Artificial lubricants, especially those with spermicide in them, can slow down or kill sperm. Instead, have your partner make time for foreplay. However, if you need a lubricant, go for something natural like mineral oil or canola oil. [17] X Research source
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Relax. When you're stressed, it can mess with your cycle. Calm down and have fun. If your life is full of undue stress, try picking up yoga or another meditation practice. Taking just 15 minutes out of your day to calm yourself can help greatly. [18] X Trustworthy Source National Institutes of Health U.S. government agency for biomedical and public health research Go to source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat are some early signs that I may be pregnant?Jennifer Butt, MD, is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist operating her private practice, Upper East Side OB/GYN, in New York City, New York. She is affiliated with Lenox Hill Hospital. She earned a BA in Biological Studies from Rutgers University and an MD from Rutgers – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She then completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Dr. Butt is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a member of the American Medical Association.
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QuestionWhat are some common myths that people have regarding trying to conceive?Jennifer Butt, MD, is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist operating her private practice, Upper East Side OB/GYN, in New York City, New York. She is affiliated with Lenox Hill Hospital. She earned a BA in Biological Studies from Rutgers University and an MD from Rutgers – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She then completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Dr. Butt is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a member of the American Medical Association.
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QuestionIs it possible to get pregnant after a miscarriage or abortion?Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.Yes, you can. Going through a miscarriage or an abortion does not necessarily mean that your future fertility is affected. Many factors do play a role in this, however.
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Tips
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- If your cycle is irregular, look into support groups for conditions like PCOS. Connect with others trying to conceive despite fertility challenges.
- Consider reading guides like Taking Charge of Your Fertility. Books can provide helpful tips on timing and tracking ovulation.
- Eat a balanced, nutritious diet. Avoid dieting or limiting calories too much. Nourish your body to prepare for pregnancy.
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Warnings
- It is best not to have a baby when you are a teenager. During adolescence, your body is still developing, putting you and your baby at risk for many complications, including low birth weight. [19] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3717046/
- ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/planning-pregnancy.aspx
- ↑ https://www.choosemyplate.gov/browse-by-audience/view-all-audiences/adults/moms-pregnancy-breastfeeding/nutritional-needs-during-pregnancy
- ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/planning-pregnancy.aspx
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3493844/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4639396/
- ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/planning-pregnancy.aspx
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/index.html
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000513.htm
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/infertility/index.htm
- ↑ https://111.wales.nhs.uk/doityourself/pregnancy/WhenPreg/
- ↑ https://www.verywellfamily.com/before-you-buy-a-basal-body-temperature-thermometer-1960283
- ↑ http://americanpregnancy.org/infertility/fertility-charting-basics
- ↑ http://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/cervical-mucus/
- ↑ http://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/ovulation-kits/
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/how-to-get-pregnant/art-20047611?pg=1
- ↑ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-study-lubricants-idUSBREA131OU20140204/
- ↑ https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-study-indicates-stress-may-delay-women-getting-pregnant
- ↑ http://www.pamf.org/teen/sex/pregnancy/
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To get pregnant quickly, start trying when you're ovulating, or most fertile. You can time your ovulation cycle by counting the days or your menstrual cycle. If your cycle is 28 days long, you’ll likely ovulate around day 12 to 14. In order to more accurately determine your fertility window, take your temperature every day. Typically, your temperature will rise by .2 degrees a few days after you ovulate. Another method to track your ovulation is to monitor your cervical mucus, which will increase and become slippery around the time of ovulation. You can also improve your odds of conceiving by adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes maintaining a healthy weight and quitting smoking and drinking alcohol. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to limit caffeine to improve your chances of getting pregnant, keep reading!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,544,102 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "Just read all these suggestions. My doctor also suggested to me that there is not any worry about me or my husband's health. So now I am positive about tying. Now I am waiting for this month's result. Wish me luck! Suggestions are very helpful for a couple's first time trying to get pregnant. Thanks." ..." more
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"Just read all these suggestions. My doctor also suggested to me that there is not any worry about me or my husband's health. So now I am positive about tying. Now I am waiting for this month's result. Wish me luck! Suggestions are very helpful for a couple's first time trying to get pregnant. Thanks."
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"Telling me to see an OBGYN helped. Telling me to get help for PID and that I might still get pregnant if my ovaries and hormones are good helps too. Thanks for telling me how to live healthy and helping me tell my partner what needs to be done. "
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"My man and I are trying to have a baby, and I'm a regular smoker. I honestly didn't know that it can mess with my fertility. I didn't know half the things on this list. Very helpful!"
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