Top 10 Tips for Trying to Conceive (#TTC)

You’ve decided the time has finally come. You’re ready to start trying to conceive (#TTC).

So, what comes next?

We all remember middle school health class; there’s no confusion about how to get pregnant. Rather, most women are concerned with how to increase their chances of conceiving quickly.

As women, we tend to rely upon online communities for answers. We scour the internet for #TTC methods, but instead find a plethora of “he said-she said” suggestions and debunked old wives' tales.

However, this lack of reliable information doesn’t mean you can’t improve your chances of conceiving. If you want tried and true ways to help you get pregnant, why not try our top ten conception tips?

1. Talk to Your Doctor About Trying to Conceive

Step away from Google! Instead of hash tagging #TTC on internet forums, the first step you should take is talking to your doctor.

When trying to conceive, it can be helpful to have baseline information about your reproductive system. Additionally, it helps confirm you’re not suffering from conditions that affect conception, such as:

• Endometriosis

• Pelvic inflammatory disease

• Anemia

• Thyroid issues

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Your doctor will likely perform an updated Pap smear and send you for blood work to check you for hormonal issues like estrogen or progesterone imbalances.

When it comes to doctor’s appointments, it can’t hurt for your partner to get checked as well. Having a semen analysis completed can provide essential information about sperm count and motility - both of which are essential when you want to get pregnant.

2. Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins

Many women don’t begin taking prenatal vitamins until they receive a positive pregnancy test. Yet it isn’t surprising that there are many benefits to beginning a prenatal regimen while trying to conceive.

First and foremost: every prenatal vitamin is different. There are several brands and varieties of prenatals on the market, some of which might make you sick to your stomach. By trying them out ahead of time, you’ll have already found a good option before there’s a bun in your oven.

Research shows pregnant women should take an additional 400 micrograms of synthetic folic acid during their pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects. The neural tubes begin to develop before most women even realize they’re pregnant at three to four weeks after conception. If you’re already taking a prenatal with the added folic acid requirement before conceiving, your baby will receive the greatest level of benefits.

3. Monitor Your Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation

By tracking your menstrual cycle and ovulation, you’ll have a better idea of when you’re more likely to get pregnant during the month. There are various ovulation kits available to assist you in this process. Additionally, you can try natural family planning techniques like taking your basal temperature or monitoring your cervical mucus.

4. Eat Good Foods and Maintain a Healthy Weight

Eating a well-rounded diet is one of the most common suggestions on many #TTC message boards. By eating healthy fruits, vegetables, and good fats, you’re providing your body with the right types of foods to support a pregnancy.

This objective includes staying away from ‘danger foods’ like high-mercury fish and anything with a significant amount of caffeine.

Furthermore, by eating a nutritious diet you‘ll have better control over your weight while trying to conceive. Maintaining a healthy weight before pregnancy can help improve your chances of success. Women who are over or underweight by more than 30lbs often have a harder time conceiving.

5. Implement Stress Management Techniques

As with most things in life, excess stress isn’t healthy while trying to conceive. It’s vital to manage your stress levels in whatever way works best for you. Me-time can be one of your greatest assets throughout your conception journey. Some of our favorite suggestions include:

• Meditation

• Yoga

• Journaling

• Hobbies

• Communication

• Acupuncture

6. Work Out (But Not Too Much!)

Not only is exercise a great stress management technique, it’s important when you’re hoping to get pregnant. Women who are expecting - or would like to be expecting - should plan on getting at least 30 minutes of cardio activity five to six times a week.

On the other end of the spectrum, it’s best not to overdo your exercise, either. Working out too hard or too much can have adverse effects on your ability to get pregnant.

7. Stop Smoking and Drinking

This #TTC tip goes hand-in-hand with taking care of your body. Smoking and excessive drinking aren’t healthy, so they’re undoubtedly counter-productive when trying to conceive. This goes for men, as well! Bad habits like drinking too much or smoking marijuana can have a negative effect on a man’s sperm, making it more difficult to get pregnant.

8. Be Aware of Age-Related Issues

Many women are aware their chance of getting pregnant begins to diminish as they get older. Women must understand the ways age can impact their fertility, and the roadblocks or difficulties they may experience while trying to conceive.

9. Don’t Stress About Sex

Most of the old wives’ tales about trying to conceive revolve around the precise ways you should have sex. Take this advice and throw it away!

While there’s certainly no harm in lying in bed and relaxing for 10-15 minutes after you’ve had sex, there’s no need to throw your legs up in the air while doing it. Despite what many people believe, there’s no pose that appears to work better than others.

Some doctors may tell you to take it easy and only have sex every other day during the ovulation period. This is certainly worthy advice to consider.

10. Ask for Help

When trying to conceive, the most important point to remember is to relax and not let the process consume you. However, if an entire year goes by without a positive pregnancy test, it might be time to ask for professional help.

You and your partner may require alternative reproductive therapies to get pregnant. The most common are hormone medications, IUI, or traditional IVF. If you find you’re in the unfortunate circumstance of your eggs and/or sperm not being viable for pregnancy, keep in mind there are still other options.

For women with non-viable eggs, frozen donor egg IVF is one of the most successful options available. Not only do they allow you and your partner the chance to build a family, but they make it possible for you to experience pregnancy and delivery.

If you’re interested in learning more about egg donation, the expert team at Donor Egg Bank USA are ready to answer your questions about egg donors, the IVF process, and our success rates. Contact us today and take the next step towards the rest of your life.