Family

Want To Have A Baby ASAP? Here's What You Should Do

Photo: Phil Jones / Shutterstock
pregnant woman

Couples trying to have a baby should leave nothing to luck.

While it is true that half of the women having unprotected sex get pregnant within one year, it is worth noting that some actions need to be taken in order to maximize fertility and the ability to get pregnant.

It is important to be patient, since every woman is different, and getting pregnant can vary from one to another. This article discusses the ways how to get pregnant.

If you want to get pregnant ASAP, here's what to do:

1. Know Your Cycle

The first order of business for women is to get to know their cycle. Every month, women ovulate, releasing eggs that are fertilized by their partner's sperm.

It sounds simple on paper, but in reality, it requires planning and getting things done the right way. Women trying to conceive need to be sure when they ovulate. By examining their cycle, they get a better understanding and grasp of their period.

A few days before ovulation and during ovulation is the best time to get pregnant. A change in cervical mucus, which becomes slippery and thin from secretions, is the first sign of ovulation. Women will notice vaginal secretions, resembling raw egg whites.

This discharge becomes cloudy after ovulation. Another sign of ovulation is the basal body temperature, wherein body temperature increases during ovulation.

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2. Use An Ovulation Prediction Kit

Brought over-the-counter, a prediction kit can help trace your ovulation. The kit works by testing fertility days starting from day one until women get positive feedback. The first day of your period is considered day one. Usually, women with a 28-day cycle ovulate on day 14, but some have longer or shorter periods.

Examining the period is not a one-month thing. On the contrary, to get a better grasp, women need to keep an eye on their calendars for several months. Once mothers know when their eggs are released, they can plan intercourse during their fertile days, which are three days before ovulation until the end of the process.

Since sperm can survive five to six days in a woman's body, there are enough days for sex during each month. For example, if mothers have sex on Wednesday, sperm survives in their body until Saturday at least, sometimes even Monday. Eggs, on the other hand, survive just one day after they are released.

However, it is worth noting that couples should not wait just for their fertile days, as going through dry periods is not recommended. The partner should ejaculate before women's fertility days at least once. Dry periods build dead sperm, which can't get women pregnant.

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How to Maximize Fertility?

The following are ways how to boost the chances of getting pregnant:

  • Practice regular intercourse at least two to three times a week. Having sex constantly ensures women hit their fertile days. You can't have "too much sex" when trying to conceive, and for most couples, this is all it takes.
  • Practice sex once a day in the days before ovulation to increase chances for conception. Men's sperm concentration drops a bit with every intercourse, but that is not an issue for healthy men.
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle (weight, moderate exercise, healthy diet, limit caffeine and stress).
  • Improve your chances with some preconception planning and adjusting your lifestyle
  • Take vitamins, vitamins, and more vitamins. Prenatal vitamins and folic acid supplements are essential for baby development, and it is recommended for mothers to take them several months before conception, 3 months prior specifically.
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes each day, but only light exercises are recommended such as walking or yoga.
  • Communicate with your partner, and tell him the risks that negatively affect sperm count and quality. This includes wearing tight clothing, using a hot tub for longer periods, and keeping a cell phone in the pocket close to the testicles. Men should also avoid soy food.

How to Improve Sperm Quality?

Mothers are not the only ones that need to prepare for fertilization. In fact, men can do a lot in order to improve their sperm quality, which increases the chances of fertilizing the egg, thus pregnancy.

  • Men should avoid alcohol, as drinking reduces testosterone levels.

  • Tobacco and recreational drugs are also off the list.

  • Avoid hot baths, saunas, and similar heating conditions because heat kills sperm.

  • Consume food that contains healthy nutrients like zinc, vitamin D, calcium, vitamin C and folic acid.

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What Mothers Need to Avoid for Better Chances for Pregnancy?

Like men, the following are practices that need to be staved off by mothers-to-be:

  • Smoking, as it ages ovaries and depletes eggs.
  • Alcohol. Drinking reduces the chances of getting pregnant and harms the developing baby.
  • Medication. For every medication mothers need, they should consult their physician prior to taking the drug.
  • Mothers need to try to avoid vaginal lubricants as they can decrease fertility. Look for safer alternatives. Saliva has the same effect. Mineral and canola oil can be used as natural lubricants.

Women must avoid all the things for a successful conception.

Common Pregnancy Myths

Most myths about trying to conceive are linked to sexual intercourse. For instance, one of the common myths is that women need to be in certain positions in order to increase their chances of getting pregnant. There is no evidence that a missionary is better than a woman on top or a man from behind. The truth is, that gravity interferes. Certain positions, like standing, don't allow semen to travel upstream. On the other hand, partners who are trying to conceive should summon into mind that women should enjoy sex — and not be stressed about it.

Another common myth is that lying down after intercourse, with feet in the air can increase the chances of getting pregnant. This is somewhat true. It is good for women to lie in bed for 20 minutes after making love. But keeping feet in the air? That is totally unnecessary.

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Consulting a Physician

We already mentioned that most healthy couples conceive within one year if they practice regular, unprotected sex. However, women close to 35 years should consult a physician before going for a baby for a guided and well-informed pregnancy. Another reason for visiting a doctor is if couples have known fertility issues.

Depending on the issue, sometimes, infertility can be treated. Most couples succeed within three months.

If there is no success, it is probably time to ask for professional help and try to identify the source of the problem. Fertility declines with age, so the older the couple is, the more patience they should have. That means that couples between 35 and 40 years old, should wait 6 months before seeking expert help, and those between 30 and 35, can wait one year.

Now that you know how to get pregnant, here are some creative ways to announce your pregnancy. Good luck! 

Donna Begg is an expert editor, mentor, analyst, and researcher.