We know how it feels to find out you’re pregnant and soon you’ll be welcoming home the most precious bundle of joy. But we are also familiar with the hardships of getting pregnant. Sometimes it’s not only hard, but seems hopeless. Especially in those times, it’s important not to lose hope or stop trying.

If you are trying to conceive, there are many things you can do to speed up the process or simply increase your chances of getting pregnant. We were surprised to learn that everything around you – emotional state you’re in, food you eat or don’t eat, and sometimes (but not always) your age – can affect your chances of getting pregnant. So for starters, relax! Take a deep breath, breath in and breath out your worries and everything that stresses you out… Think positive and follow us on this journey of discovering what else you can do to increase your chances of becoming a parent.

Here are 6 tips to follow during the period you’re trying to conceive:

TRACK YOUR PERIOD AND OVULATION!

As we shared in our previous post, 101 Ovulation, a woman can get pregnant only when ovulating and few days before the day of ovulation. This is why it is important to know, or at least, know approximately what days in the month are your fertile days. There’s no universal rule that applies to all women and not every woman has the most common 28-day cycle. So it is recommended for each woman to record the first day of her period on a calendar, as well as the length between her periods. If the length doesn’t change much from month to month, the menstrual cyle is regular and you have better chances at predicting your fertile days. But menstrual cycle can sometimes be irregular, making it harder to predict when ovulation days are occurring using this most traditional method.

CHECK YOUR LH LEVEL!

More reliable method of knowing when your are ovulating detects the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your body. LH stimulates the ovaries to release an egg, but it also helps sustain the pregnancy once the fertilization occurs. Levels of LH are higher just before the ovulation, so the best time to test its level is around the middle of your menstrual cycle. You can do it by taking a blood test prescribed by your doctor, or at home using devices detecting the rise of LH in urine or saliva.

Me.mum uses revolutionary smartphone technology to detect the presence of LH in your saliva!

HAVE LOTS OF SEX!

Having sex is not only a prerequisite for getting pregnant, but is a good way to release stress. For couples trying to conceive, it is recommended to have sex every two days during the fertility window, that is 5 days prior and on the day of ovulation. Some experts recommend having frequent sex during the whole month, but only for the couples who didn’t have problems conceiving in the past. For the couples who did, sex every seven days is a better option as it increases the chances of having higher sperm count.

It’s still debatable if practicing certain sex positions or rituals after sex helps in conceiving. But it certainly can’t hurt.

STAY HEATHY AND EAT WELL!

Being over or under weight decreases your chances of getting pregnant. It’s extremely important to lead a healthy lifestyle during the period you are trying to conceive. This includes eating healthy and staying fit. Be it dancing, meditation or hitting the gym, make sure you stay active and alert at what you eat. But also, don’t overdo it! Hard labour or excessive exercise can interfere with the ovulation.

Next week we will publish a special feature on food recommended during the period you’re trying to conceive – so stay tuned!

QUIT SMOKING!

Go easy on smoking, drinking or consuming coffee!

Quitting smoking is recommended for all the couples trying to conceive or taking a part in an infertility treatment. Smoking is linked to fertility problems not only of women, but men as well. Several studies have confirmed its negative impact on ovulation, egg retrieval from the ovary and its transport down the Fallopian Tubes, as well as fertilization itself and early embryo development. Men’s smoking, on the other hand, can be associated with minor reduction in sperm count and DNA damage in sperm. Enough for you to stop smoking, right?

DON’T STRESS!

Take it easy! We know the pressure is huge and you really want to get pregnant, but stressing over it only decreases your chances of getting pregnant. Several studies have actually underlined a possible relationship between the stress and infertility. So, try your very best to relax! Do what makes you happy, like going for a short vacation with your partner, taking a walk in the nature, binge watching your favourite show, dancing, practicing meditation or whatever else helps you chill and enjoy the moment. We’re keeping our fingers crossed!