Trying to get pregnant is an exciting time, whether it’s your first or you are a few children along. To help you to stay healthy during this time and increase your chances of conceiving, here are six things you can do during this process.
- Know your cycle
If you know your cycle, you’ll know when to have sex to potentially conceive. The key is to know exactly when you are ovulating. It’s recommended to have sex every other day at least; over the 5 days just before you begin to ovulate. To figure out when you ovulate, you’ll need to calculate how long your cycle is. For example, if you have a 28-day cycle, then you will probably begin to ovulate on day 14 of your cycle. If so, your fertile window will be from around day 10 until day 14. These days there are plenty of fertility apps available to help you figure out your fertile window. These can be particularly helpful if you have an irregular cycle.
- Keep fit & active
When you’re trying to conceive you’ll want to be as fit and healthy as possible. Being active will ensure that your endorphin levels are high and that your cortisol levels are lowered. It’s recommended to be at a healthy weight before becoming pregnant. It’s helpful to prepare your body for the journey to come before you start trying for a baby. Once you’re pregnant, you may feel less willing and able to do as much exercise, so it’s a good idea to get fit now.
- A healthy balanced diet
When you’re pregnant, a healthy and balanced diet is very important, so it’s worth getting into good habits beforehand. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables with plenty of nutrients along with proteins from pulses or meat and fish. Stick to wholemeal carbs as much as possible and get your fats from sources like oily fish or olive oil. It’s recommended to take supplements like folic acid to ensure the healthy development of your baby once you become pregnant. After successfully conceiving, there are a few foods that you’ll want to avoid, such as shellfish and liver products, for example.
- Look for help
It’s not uncommon for couples to have trouble conceiving right away. If the process continues, it can feel a little stressful and disappointing. At this stage, it’s a good idea to go to a doctor to seek further advice. Thankfully, there are plenty of solutions out there that can help couples who are having trouble conceiving. One, for example, is the ICSI process which is a highly effective procedure for treating cases of male infertility. Your chosen fertility clinic will be able to help you find the right treatment for you.
Pregnancy is both a joyful and sometimes challenging time, so it’s important to prioritize your self-care. With so many changes happening in the body, you’ll need to be kind to yourself and have lots of rest. Pregnancy yoga can be an excellent idea to ease both the body and the mind.
