From lying with your legs in the air after sex to eating an entire pineapple, there is some truly crazy information out there on how to get pregnant. The truth is, while there’s no exact science to falling pregnant, there’s definitely advice that’s helpful, whilst some should be taken a bit less seriously.
A woman’s chances of getting pregnant are dependent on so many factors, but they may increase with careful planning, a chat with your GP and a few lifestyle changes.
Here are a few tips:
1. Calculating your pregnancy window can help in your journey to falling pregnant. A woman is at her most fertile in the days leading up to ovulation, which will be 14 days before her next period is due. An egg can survive for up to 24 hours after ovulation, whilst sperm can survive in the fallopian tubes for 2-3 days. Your chances of getting pregnant are at their highest if you and your partner have unprotected sex every 2 days within this fertile window.
2. A crucial step to falling pregnant is maintaining a healthy diet. Women often wonder how to get pregnant, and forget how important what they are putting into their body is. There are some key nutrients that can dramatically increase your chances of getting pregnant, and a lot of creative ways to incorporate them into your existing diet. For example, folic acid has been proven to boost fertility, and is seen as a vital dietary component when on the way to falling pregnant. It can be found in foods such as leafy greens, fortified cereals, oranges, strawberries and nuts. If a major diet shift wasn’t on the top of your list of how to get pregnant, a good vitamin supplement will also provide a much needed nutrient boost.
3. Exercise is key in boosting the chances of getting pregnant. Staying fit can work wonders when you’re trying to conceive, and it's a massive step in the right direction if you are actively maintaining a healthy weight. Regular workouts can improve overall muscle tone, including your heart, which will eventually start working harder if you do conceive. Exercise is also a known stress buster, and anxiety can be at a high when you are trying to increase your chances of falling pregnant. Keep workouts at around 30 minutes to avoid overdoing it.
4. The importance of keeping your cervical screening test up to date should not be overlooked when you are researching how to get pregnant. Abnormal cells in your cervix can be a precursor of cancer, and If you and your partner are on the road to falling pregnant, and you haven’t had a smear test in 3 years, it’s advised that you have one as soon as possible.
5. When people are thinking about how to get pregnant, they often immediately think of sex. Whilst this is important (obviously!), there’s something else you can do in bed that also plays a key role in falling pregnant - sleeping! Developing a good sleep routine can reduce stress, which if left unchecked can really undermine fertility. To unwind properly aim to get between 7 to 9 hours sleep a night.
6. It goes without saying, but if you smoke and are trying to increase your chances of getting pregnant, quit now. Smoking can damage your eggs, uterus and your overall health and fertility, so stay as far away from it as possible.
7. If you’ve been discussing how to get pregnant with your GP and are currently on any medication, ask them if and how this can interact with your attempts at falling pregnant. Some medication can interfere with ovulation, meaning your careful planning might not be worthwhile!
Whilst there may seem like a lot of factors to consider when trying to increase your chances of getting pregnant, remember that every person’s journey is different. What works for one person regarding how to get pregnant might not work for the next. When possible, try and have fun with it! Maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet and keeping stress levels as low as possible can have a huge effect on your chances of falling pregnant. Happy trying!