Tips on Getting Pregnant

If you and your partner are young and healthy, most likely all you'll have to do is stop using birth control and start trying to make a baby. Of 100 healthy, fertile couples, 50 will conceive in the first three months. Three fourths will be pregnant by six months. Within one year, about 90 of the couples will have conceived.

But if it's not happening as quickly as you'd like, or if you just want an extra boost for your fertility, here are some tips on getting pregnant to keep in mind.

Be Healthy

• If you smoke, stop! Smoking reduces fertility in both men and women. Smoking marijuana can impair fertility, too.
• Don't drink alcohol. Heavy alcohol use causes ovulation disorders. In fact, some studies suggest that any alcohol use at all make you less likely to conceive.
• Stay in shape, but don't over-exercise. Extreme exercise, like long-distance running, can cause excessive secretion of chemicals called endorphins. High levels of endorphins interfere with the hormones that signal your body to ovulate. A normal level of body fat is important to ovulation, too.
• Relax. In one study, women undergoing fertility treatments were more likely to conceive after they had relaxation training. And women who were upbeat about their chances were more likely to get pregnant than women who were pessimistic.

Eat Right

• Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia can cause you not to have periods. They can also disturb your thyroid function, which then disrupts your menstrual cycle.
• Consider giving up caffeine. Some studies show decreased fertility among coffee drinkers, but others don't show any effect at all. However, if you can survive without your daily caffeine dose, it's worth a try.
• Although it probably won't affect your fertility, you should start taking prenatal vitamins or folic acid supplements. Folic acid helps guard against a very serious neurological birth defect.

Don't Stop the Sperm

• Try avoiding lubricants. Some kinds change the acid balance in the vagina, which can stop sperm from swimming properly.
• Don't douche, either after sex or any other time. A survey of 840 women revealed that women who douched were less likely to get pregnant than women who didn't. The study didn't reveal why, but some doctors think douching can also change the acid balance in the vagina.

Choose the Right Days

• One of the most important tips on getting pregnant is to know your fertile days. You only ovulate once a month, and you're most likely to get pregnant if you have sex shortly before you ovulate. Your fertile days are approximately in the middle of your menstrual cycle. Learn the signs of ovulation and try keeping an ovulation chart to help you plan.
• Have plenty of sex, especially during your fertile days. Many people believe that having sex every day decreases a man's sperm count, and that he should take every other day off to "recharge." But for normal men, sex every day is just fine. Trying every day during your fertile days may actually increase your chance of conceiving. Don't turn it into a chore, though. Trying to make a baby should be fun and joyful!

Consider Alternative Options

• One of the most popular tips on getting pregnant is to try acupuncture. Does it work? A few small studies, mainly dealing with couples who had fertility problems, suggest that it might. There's just not enough evidence to say for sure.
• What about fertility supplements? Two very small studies suggest that supplements containing chasteberry might have a positive effect. The problem is, supplements usually have multiple herbs and vitamins, and there's not a lot of scientific information on what they do or how they interact. It's a good idea to talk with your doctor before starting a fertility supplement.

Check with Your Doctor

Some medicines can impair fertility, so check with your doctor if you take anything regularly. Also, make sure that your medications are safe to take during pregnancy. It's not a bad idea to schedule a check-up, including a gynecological exam, if you haven't had one in a while.

Tips on Getting Pregnant: How Men Can Help

Men can benefit from a few tips on getting pregnant, too. Certain vitamin deficiencies can impair sperm production and function. If your man doesn't eat right, have him start taking a multivitamin. Smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs can all reduce a man's fertility.

A man's testes need to be a little cooler than his body temperature in order to do a good job of making sperm. That's why they dangle outside his body in the scrotal sac. When trying to conceive, men should stay out of hot baths, hot tubs, and saunas. Even sitting at a desk or driving for a long time can make the testes too warm. What about wearing boxes vs. briefs? Although many people recommend boxers, medical evidence is sparse.

If It's Been a Year

If you've been trying for a year and still aren't pregnant, it's time to see your doctor. You might have a medical condition that's preventing you from conceiving, or you or your partner might have a problem with fertility. Don't panic, though! You might just need a little more time. And you have many options, including In Vitro Fertilization, other forms of assisted reproduction, or even adoption. There can still be a baby in your future!