Conception Tips

Making the decision to have a child is an exciting one but it’s easy to feel some stress and anxiety over the thought of getting pregnant. This is natural. Fortunately, there are some tips that may help increase your chances of conceiving:

1. Visit your doctor. Before you start actively trying to conceive, go to your doctor for a physical examination and checkup. Any underlying medical problems will need to be addressed before you become pregnant. Now is the time to talk to your doctor about prenatal vitamins, which will decrease the risk of your baby having certain birth defects.

2. Maintain a healthy weight. Weighing too much or too little can interfere with ovulation and the production of certain key reproductive hormones. Focus on good nutrition and smart exercise habits to get your body into a healthy form.

3. Focus on your ovulation. You are most fertile during the 1-2 days right before and during ovulation. To increase your chances of getting pregnant, plan to have sex starting 3 days before ovulation and continuing for 2 to 3 days after you think you have finished ovulating. There’s no need to overdue it. Sperm can live in a woman’s body for about 3-5 days after intercourse. In general, having sex every other day during your most fertile days should be enough to increase your chances of conceiving.

4. Lie in bed for about 15 minutes after sex. Give sperm a chance to reach the cervix before heading to the bathroom.

5. Be kind to sperm. Certain vaginal sprays, scented tampons, artificial lubricants or douches can change the normal acidity of the vagina and weaken sperm. Avoid using these products right before or after intercourse.

6. De-stress. Easier said than done, huh? Wanting very much to conceive can cause many couples to become tense and anxious, which can actually interfere with getting pregnant. Take time to unwind. Try yoga, meditation, exercising or writing in a journal to help clear your head and put your mind and your body in a healthier place.