Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Prepare in the months before
• Method 2 of 3: Calculate your ovulation cycle
• Method 3 of 3: Make love effectively
• Tips
• Warnings

Now that you are trying to conceive, you probably get a lot of tips from colleagues, friends, or your mother. While these are all well-intentioned, they often don't work. Here are some ideas where you can well should listen to. And of course to try!

To step

Method 1 of 3: Prepare in the months before

1. Stop contraception. You've probably heard it somewhere - even after you stop taking contraceptives, they can still affect your cycle. So whatever you use (a pill, a coil, whatever), stop before trying to conceive. And how else do you find out that ovulation is taking place?
   • If you are there almost (but need another month or two), keep using a condom. Just because your contraceptives are affecting your fertility doesn't mean you won't get pregnant.
2. Stop smoking. If you've decided you want a baby, stop smoking right away. Smoking not only affects your fertility, but can also damage your unborn baby if you get pregnant. In addition, menopause can set in more quickly. And then there are the countless other negative side effects that smoking can bring.
   • Your partner should also stop smoking. Smoking can decrease the number of sperm and the quality of his sperm. Second-hand smoke can also trigger this!
3. Take vitamins. Vitamins have beneficial effects on both male and female fertility. Oh, and they are just good for you. Before starting, ask your doctor about the options. Just to be sure.
   • Vitamin C prevents the sperm DNA from being damaged and helps improve sperm quality. Vitamin C generally leads to increased motility.
   • Vitamin E increases both male and female fertility. In addition, it improves the chance that a man will fertilize a woman. It is suggested that it also acts as an anti-oxidant, improving sperm strength.
   • Folic acids (and all B vitamins, actually) can lead to a healthier baby. B6 can increase female fertility. B12 can increase the number of sperm cells.
4. Achieve a healthy body weight. Being overweight has a negative effect on your overall health, and certainly also on the chance that you will become pregnant. Research has shown that overweight women have lower conception rates. Fertility doctors often recommend losing weight before starting reproductive techniques. Being underweight can also lead to infertility.
   • If you have a healthy body weight, keep your diet consistent and healthy. Eating enough fish that does not contain too much mercury (shrimp, tuna, salmon) will get you started.
5. Pay a visit to the doctor. If you tell him / her that you want to get pregnant, he / she can give you extra advice. They will likely want to test you thoroughly, review your medical history, and address any issues you may have. Doctors can also guide you from day 1 on the right path to motherhood.
   • The doctor might recommend a certain vitamin or routine. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking a particular drug or habit. In short, doctors can provide you with a lot of valuable information.
6. Opt for decaf. Okay, caffeine doesn't stop you from getting pregnant. But too much of this substance has been associated with reduced fertility. To be on the safe side, stick to one espresso in the morning, or that one Vodka-Red Bull in the evening.
   • 500mg of caffeine should be your max. This sounds like a lot, but one grande coffee from the Starbucks already contains 330 mg.

Method 2 of 3: Calculate your ovulation cycle

1. Know when you ovulate. Calculating your ovulation cycle is essential if you want to get pregnant. Sperm can survive in your body for up to five days - so it's best to have sex two days before ovulation. This way you maximize the chance that you will get pregnant.
   • Map the ins and outs of your menstrual cycle now. That way you will know when your period should be, your last period, and approximately when ovulation should occur. And once you have gotten pregnant you will know when you missed your period!
2. Counting days. If you have a regular cycle, you can find out when your egg is moving through your fallopian tubes with simple math. If your cycle lasts 28 days, you probably ovulate on day 14. A good rule of thumb is to count back 16 days from the first day of your next period. Ovulation will likely occur 0-5 day (s) after that day.
   • If you know you are about to ovulate, make sure your husband has ejaculated recently. If you don't do this, it could be that a build-up of dead semen prevents you from becoming fertilized.
   • There are also many reliable calculators from reputable authorities online. An example of this is WebMD's ovulation calculator.
3. Buy an ovulation test. Ovulation tests can predict ovulation the day before (so get started with your baby making plans now!) It uses the same methodology as a pregnancy test. However, the price varies from about € 15 to € 35; so it can take quite a bit of your finances if you go into these tests.
   • Ovulation tests test the levels of the luteinizing hormone in your urine. This means that you will pee on a stick (hooray!). However, it's not super accurate, so don't rely on this method blindly. Also take advantage of the math and physical symptoms.
4. Map your basal body temperature. Your basal body temperature (the lowest body temperature in a 24-hour period) will rise by about 0.2-0.5 degrees Celsius a few days after ovulation. Your body temperature is usually lower at the beginning of your cycle and slightly higher at the end.
   • Do not use a home, garden or kitchen thermometer for this. You're looking for fluctuations of a few decimal places, so a basal thermometer is a must. These are available at most pharmacies and drug stores.
5. Check your cervical mucus. As you approach ovulation, the amount of cervical mucus will increase. You'll run into more of that slippery white stuff the closer you get. However, be careful, as small changes are difficult to detect.
   • Keep an eye on the fragrance, color and texture. When ovulation is near, the mucus is the wettest and the slimiest. If it looks like protein, then you're at your peak. If you're willing to ... get slimy, see if you can spread it between your fingers. If that succeeds, it is time to make a baby.

Method 3 of 3: Make love effectively

1. Lay down. The good news is that no position is better than the other. What you can do is do nothing. After ejaculation, remain calmly on your back. It almost sounds too logical, doesn't it?
   • Dutch research into women who were artificially inseminated has shown that women who lay flat for 15 minutes after conception were 50% more likely to conceive. Convincing enough?
2. Omit the lubricant. Artificial lubricant is not sperm's best friend. While some argue that lube has no effect on fertility, it is best to just avoid lube. If you can, then do it.
   • For those who use a lubricant required have, choose a natural remedy. For example, you can choose mineral oil or rapeseed oil.
3. Relax. You know stress can mess up your cycle, right? It may not surprise you then that it can negatively impact your baby-producing abilities. Let go of your worries about conception and try to have fun. Sex! Fantastic.
   • If you are experiencing excessive stress in your life (it is wise to have a baby), you may want to consider taking up yoga or another meditative activity. Try to take 15 minutes every day for yourself and relax.
   • If you're curious, the hypothalamus is the culprit here (and so are you, fair is fair). The hypothalamus manages your hormones; if you're stressed, this one doesn't work that well.

Tips

• If you are under 36, allow yourself a year to get pregnant. Some things just take a while - 12 months is completely normal.

Warnings

• If you are under the age of 36 and have been trying to conceive for over a year, see your doctor. If you are older than 36, keep for 6 months. It may be that something else is throwing a spanner in the works.