Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: How to conceive a child
• Method 2 of 4: Finding Your Most Fertile Days
• Method 3 of 4: Preparing Your Body for Pregnancy
• Method 4 of 4: Seeking Help for Problems Conception
• Tips
• Warnings

Some people find it difficult to prevent pregnancy, while others fail to conceive a child despite their best efforts. It can take a healthy couple an entire year to conceive a child, and many couples take even longer. Fortunately, there are ways to improve fertility and increase your chances of conceiving.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: How to conceive a child

1. 1 Have sex the day before, during, and after your most fertile days. When you're fertile, start having sex regularly! The chances of getting pregnant will be higher if you have sex every day before, during, and after the fertility window. However, if you are unable to have sex as often, try doing it every 2–3 days before, during, and after your peak fertility period.
   • If you are using a lubricant, buy a special water-based lubricant specifically designed for fertility.

   Advice: Create a cozy environment, do not demand too much from your partner, and try to treat the process as an opportunity to be alone with each other until the baby is born.

   
   
2. 2 Continue to measure your basal body temperature. This will allow you to gather as much information as possible about your menstrual cycle and determine the fertile days of your next cycle. If menstruation does not come, and the basal temperature at this time is higher than usual, this may be a sign of pregnancy.
   • If the temperature remains elevated for 14 consecutive days after ovulation, the chances of pregnancy are high.
3. 3 Pay attention to the signs of implantation. Some women experience bleeding during implantation - you may find a small amount of blood on the underwear due to the attachment of the zygote to the wall of the uterus. This usually occurs 6–12 days after fertilization. This is completely normal and should not be worried, but if you are concerned about something, see your doctor.
   • Bleeding during implantation can be accompanied by mild cramps, headaches, nausea, mood swings, chest and back pain.
4. 4 Take a pregnancy test at home if your period has not come. After the end of the ovulation period, there is a waiting period. Wait for the next period, and if it doesn't come, have a test. Home pregnancy tests have an accuracy of about 97%, but they can give false negative results if the test is done too early. Do the test again a week later if the first test is negative but you have signs of pregnancy.
   • Remember that most couples will not be able to conceive right away. Out of 100 couples who try to conceive a child every month, only 15–20 succeed. However, 95% of all couples achieve pregnancy within two years!

Method 2 of 4: Finding Your Most Fertile Days

1. 1 Track your cycle using an app or calendar. To determine the most fertile days, you need to monitor your menstrual cycle. Download a special application (for example, Clue or Flo) or mark dates in a regular calendar. You will need to mark on your calendar:
   • First day of menstruation. This is the beginning of the cycle, so you need to put a unit opposite this day. Number the rest of the days until the end of the cycle, that is, until the day before your next period.
   • Daily measurements of basal temperature.
   • Changes in cervical secretions.
   • Positive ovulation tests.
   • The days you had sex.
   • The last day of the cycle.
2. 2 Measure your basal body temperature. Basal body temperature rises slightly during ovulation, so a higher temperature reading is a sign that you are fertile. Keep a thermometer near your bed and take your temperature right after waking up in the morning. Try to measure the temperature always at the same time to make the data more accurate. Record your temperature every day. If the difference of up to 0.3-0.4 ° C persists for more than one day, this may indicate ovulation!
   • Fertility peaks in 2–3 days before increase in basal temperature. If you notice repetitive patterns in temperature changes, you can calculate the ideal time to conceive.

   Advice: Buy a special thermometer to measure basal temperature. Do not use a regular thermometer as it will not show slight fluctuations.

   
   
3. 3 Watch for changes in cervical secretions. If your vaginal discharge is clear and stringy, like egg white, you are most likely fertile. Have sex within 3-5 days of the onset of such discharge. When the discharge becomes cloudy and dry, the likelihood of conception will decrease.
   • You may need to go to the toilet and collect the secretions with toilet paper, but you can also collect them by inserting a clean finger into your vagina.
4. 4 Use an ovulation test kit. Buy an ovulation test kit from a pharmacy or online. Pee on the end of the strip or dip it in a jar of urine and wait a few minutes, then check the result. If you used a simple test, ovulation will be indicated by two bars of the same color, or two bars, one of which is darker than the control. If you have a digital test, a positive or negative value message will appear on the screen.
   • With frequent use, the costs of tests can get too high, so leave them for the days when you think you might be ovulating. Test strips are cheaper when purchased in large quantities.
   • An ovulation test is not the only way to determine your fertile days, but it can be helpful, especially if you want to know for sure that you are ovulating.

Method 3 of 4: Preparing Your Body for Pregnancy

1. 1 Get examined by a gynecologist. Even if you have no known fertility problems, it will be helpful to get tested. Some illnesses can be exacerbated by pregnancy. The doctor will examine the pelvic area and order some simple blood tests. Before pregnancy, it is important to diagnose the following diseases:
   • polycystic ovary disease (can interfere with ovulation);
   • endometriosis (may decrease fertility);
   • diabetes (when diagnosing diabetes before pregnancy, complications in the fetus that can develop due to this disease can be avoided);
   • thyroid disease (like diabetes, thyroid disease can be safe for pregnancy if diagnosed and treated early).
2. 2 Get the weight you want before pregnancy. Scientists have found that it is more difficult for clinically obese women to conceive and bear a child. However, too low weight can also negatively affect fertility. Talk to your doctor about your ideal weight and try to gain or lose weight before pregnancy.
   • Women who are clinically underweight (with a body mass index below 18.5) may stop menstruating, making it difficult to conceive.
3. 3 Take vitamins for those planning a pregnancy. If you start doing this before pregnancy, you can prepare your body for the baby. For example, taking folic acid before pregnancy can reduce your risk of spina bifida and other neural tube problems. Choose special vitamins yourself or ask your doctor to prescribe them.
   • Scientists have found that folic acid has a positive effect on fertility. Start taking it daily prior to conception.
4. 4 Start eating healthy foods to boost your fertility. A healthy diet can help you increase your fertility and your chances of getting pregnant. Eat lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. The following products will be useful to you:
   • lean protein: skinless chicken breast, lean ground beef, beans;
   • Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Whole Wheat Flour Paste, Whole Wheat Bread, Oatmeal
   • fruits: apples, oranges, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, melon;
   • vegetables: broccoli, bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach, carrots, cabbage of various types.
5. 5 Encourage your partner to eat foods that improve sperm quality. Men should take a multivitamin that contains vitamins E and C, eat more fruits and vegetables, and limit alcohol, caffeine, fat and sugar.
   • Men should also get enough selenium (55 micrograms per day) as selenium can improve fertility in men.
6. 6 Quit smoking. Smoking negatively affects not only pregnancy, but also the ability to conceive. Quitting the habit during pregnancy can be very stressful, so it's best to prepare ahead of time.
   • Remember that secondhand smoke also affects fertility. Avoid secondhand smoke.

   Advice: Your partner should also quit smoking! Men who smoke regularly have reduced sperm quality and sperm count.

   
   
7. 7 Avoid alcohol to increase your chances of conception. Even one glass a day can negatively affect fertility. To maximize the chances of conceiving a child, completely give up alcohol. If you drink alcohol from time to time, limit yourself to one serving. Eating more than two servings dramatically decreases a woman's fertility.
   • A man should also limit his alcohol intake as alcohol decreases sperm count and negatively affects sperm quality.
8. 8 Limit your caffeine intake to 200 milligrams a day. This amount includes food (chocolate) as well as drinks (coffee, tea, cola). Women who drink more than three cups of caffeinated drinks per day are significantly less likely to conceive than women who drink 2 or fewer cups.
   • 1 cup (240 milliliters) of coffee contains approximately 100 milligrams of caffeine. Drink no more than two cups (580 milliliters) of coffee a day.
   • Tea and cola contain less caffeine, but excessive consumption can exceed the recommended amounts. Aim to drink no more than two caffeinated drinks a day.
9. 9 Stop using contraceptives. When your body is ready for pregnancy, stop using contraceptives. If you are taking oral contraceptives, it may take 2–3 months before ovulation recovers, which will affect the timing of conception. However, if you are using barrier methods of contraception, pregnancy can occur immediately.
   • If you have an intrauterine device installed, you will need to make an appointment with your gynecologist for the doctor to remove it.
10. 10 See a reproductive medicine specialist or sexologist if needed. If you or your partner is having trouble feeling an interest in sex, you may have trouble conceiving. A specialist will help you overcome these difficulties.
    • Don't let fertility problems affect your relationship. The stress of having to conceive, as well as the invasive and emotionally difficult procedures required to conceive, sometimes cause sexual dysfunction and make it difficult to conceive.

Method 4 of 4: Seeking Help for Problems Conception

1. 1 Set a time limit after which you will seek help, taking into account age, length of attempts, and health status. It may be difficult for you to just wait, but it is necessary. Setting a date to see your doctor will make it easier for you to relax and prepare for your next ovulation.You should seek help in the following cases:
   • Healthy couples under the age of 30 who have sex regularly (twice a week) can conceive within 12 months (plus the time it takes to adjust the cycle after stopping contraceptives).
   • If you are over 30, see your doctor after 6 months of trying. Women over 30 and perimenopausal women can find it difficult to get pregnant due to the natural decline in fertility with age. In most cases, pregnancy does occur, but this requires more time and changes in sex and lifestyle.
   • See a specialist right away in some rare cases. If you have endometriosis, pelvic inflammation, have been treated for cancer or miscarriages, or are over 35, make an appointment with a fertility specialist as soon as you decide to conceive.
2. 2 Get screened for common fertility problems. Anything from illness and stress to exercising too often and taking medications can negatively affect fertility. Some drugs make it difficult or difficult to conceive. Tell your doctor about any medications, supplements, and vitamins you are taking, as well as specific drinks and foods in your diet so that the doctor can identify possible causes of the difficulty.
   • Get tested for sexually transmitted infections. Some infections reduce fertility, and some can cause infertility if left untreated.
   • In some women, a tissue obstruction forms in the vagina that prevents sperm from reaching the egg (it can be removed), and some have diseases that affect the menstrual cycle (for example, polycystic ovary disease).
3. 3 Get an advanced fertility test. If both you and your partner are considered healthy by the therapist, you should undergo a fertility test and a semen analysis.
   • Men should have a semen test to assess the quality of the semen and the number of sperm that are released during ejaculation. Men may also have a blood test to assess hormone levels and an ultrasound scan to check the ejaculation process and check for blockages in the vas deferens.
   • Women are usually given hormone tests to check the levels of thyroid and pituitary hormones, as well as other hormones during ovulation and during other periods of the cycle. Hysterosalpingography, laparoscopy and ultrasound of the pelvic organs are more complex procedures that allow you to examine the condition of the uterus, endometrium and fallopian tubes. These procedures provide an opportunity to identify scars, blockages and diseases of the pelvic organs. The doctor may also order an ovarian reserve test and tests for genetic diseases associated with infertility.
4. 4 Make an appointment with a fertility specialist or family planning and reproduction center. Your gynecologist can refer you to a fertility specialist or special clinic so that you can go through all the necessary examinations and procedures. The fertility specialist will prescribe tests and examinations, diagnose and treat problems that may cause difficulties with conception. Find a trusted doctor and make an appointment.
   • Make a list of questions you would like to ask your doctor before your appointment. Go through the questions with your partner so you don't forget anything. Write down questions about cost, side effects, and effectiveness of treatment.
   • Do not expect that at the first visit you will be tested or start treatment. Just talk to your doctor, ask questions, and find out what options you have.
   • Do not think that you have to agree to certain treatments in the clinic after the first visit. Go to several centers and do not start treatment until you choose the clinic that you like the most.
5. 5 Ask your doctor about intrauterine insemination (IUI). In this procedure, a sample of the partner's or donor's sperm is taken, cleared of semen, and then placed directly into the uterus using a thin catheter. Usually, the procedure is performed the day after the increase in hormone levels during ovulation, on an outpatient basis. This procedure is painless and non-invasive. IUI can be used 6 months before other procedures. Intrauterine insemination can help in the following cases:
   • endometriosis;
   • unexplained infertility;
   • semen allergy;
   • infertility due to male factors.
6. 6 Consider in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF is the most effective and widespread method of assisted reproductive technologies.
   • In vitro fertilization, mature eggs are taken (yours or the donor's) and then fertilized with the sperm of a partner or donor in a laboratory, after which the fertilized egg is placed in the uterus for further implantation.
   • Each cycle takes two or more weeks. Find out if your health insurance covers this treatment.
   • IVF is less effective in women with endometriosis, in nulliparous women, and in women who use frozen embryos. Women over 40 are usually advised to use donor eggs, since in this case IVF helps with their eggs in less than 5% of cases.
7. 7 Ask your doctor about fertility drugs and treatments. In some cases, it is enough to take fertility hormones to conceive a child naturally, in others, doctors recommend transferring the gamete to the fallopian tube or surrogacy.
   • Clomiphene citrate is a widely used fertility drug that is often combined with other treatments (such as intrauterine insemination). This drug stimulates the release of eggs from the ovaries, which increases the likelihood of pregnancy.
8. 8 Seek psychological help during fertility treatment. Infertility often has a negative impact on the psyche. You may develop feelings of anxiety, depression, and feelings of complete loneliness, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. Take care of yourself and seek support during your treatment. Talk to friends and family, and search for face-to-face support groups or online forums. You can also enroll in a counselor and discuss your feelings with them.
   • Infertility can also affect your relationship with your partner. Take time to communicate and bond with him.

   Are you planning to get tested for infertility or start treatment?Ask your doctor what you can do to boost fertility naturally, increase sperm count, and how you can use relaxation techniques to boost fertility.

Tips

• A man's wearing of tight-fitting underpants does not decrease sperm count. However, hot baths, jacuzzis, tight sportswear, frequent cycling, and prolonged use of the laptop in the pelvic area can negatively affect sperm count.
• Obesity in either partner can reduce the likelihood of conception. If you lose weight first, it will increase the chances of pregnancy, and the pregnancy process itself will take place with fewer risks to the body.

Warnings

• Trying to get pregnant too hard, especially if you follow a strict schedule, can create stress, and physical and emotional intimacy between partners can be affected.
• The decision to become a parent must be taken seriously. Consider if you and your partner are really psychologically ready for a baby.
• Before you stop using barrier methods of contraception, make sure you and your partner are free of infections.