Parenthood can be a beautiful experience in life. Children can make your life beautiful. They make their parents feel fulfilled about raising a person and providing them with everything in their control and beyond. Many couples worldwide decide to fulfill this wish at some point in their relationship.
As you head on this beautiful journey, there are many things you can do to increase your chances of welcoming a happy and healthy baby into your life. Everything you do today will define your pregnancy journey and lifelong health.
Here are some of the best tips you can follow while trying to have a baby.
1. Track Your Ovulation
One of the worst mistakes any couple trying to get pregnant can make is not keeping track of their cycle. Couples who use a calculator for ovulation and try to conceive around the days of ovulation have more chances of getting pregnant.
According to average reported data, an average cycle is 28 days long, and ovulation occurs on the 14th day. However, it is important to remember that every woman’s ovulation can differ based on several factors.
2. Stop Smoking
Smoking can have a negative effect on the fertility of both men and women. Even if you have been a smoker for a while, quitting by the time you start trying can improve your chance of conceiving.
It is also important to keep in mind that smoking can damage the DNA of your child and may cause serious complications during pregnancy.
3. Buy the Right Lube
Every lube you find at the drugstore may not be the best choice for your efforts to conceive. For example, water-based lubricants can hinder sperm movement. Couples that are trying to conceive must keep such details in mind.
You can look for fertility-friendly lubricants or use oil-based lubricants to improve the chances of conceiving.
4. Improve Your Diet
Your diet plays an important role in determining your fertility. You and your partner must put efforts towards switching to a healthier diet including wholegrain food, vegetables, and lentils. If you conceive after switching to a better diet and maintain it, it will also affect your baby’s development and lifelong health.
5. Cut Down on Caffeine
Many people agree that they find it hard to start their day without caffeine. In fact, consumption of excessive caffeine during the early stages of pregnancy can increase the chances of miscarriage.
Caffeine intake can also affect the fertility of men. Therefore, it is best for you and your partner to consider quitting or at least reducing caffeine intake during the period of trying to conceive and pregnancy.
6. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is very important for couples trying to conceive. One of the best ways to know if you have a healthy weight is to calculate your BMI before conception. A healthy BMI lies between 18.5 to 25.0.
If your BMI is over 25, you may be overweight. Being overweight can reduce fertility in both men and women. It can also cause complications during pregnancy.
On the contrary, having a BMI under 18.5 can also affect your chances of conceiving and several issues during pregnancy. You can make changes to your diet to ensure a healthy BMI.
7. Exercise More
An active lifestyle can improve your chances of conceiving more drastically than thought. Several studies show that women who are active during their pregnancy tend to have active children as well.
It is best for you and your partner to put in effort to achieve at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week.
8. Quit Drinking
Effective drinking is one of the leading causes for both men and women to face trouble with fertility. Even if pregnancy occurs, alcohol consumption during this period can cause severe complications. It is best to quit drinking when you are actively trying to conceive.
If you or your partner have trouble quitting, it is best to stop trying to conceive for some time and explore treatment services. Timely help will increase your fertility, ensure a safe pregnancy, and provide your child with a healthy and happy life.
9. Get Cervical Screening
Every woman between the ages of 25 and 50 must have a cervical screening at least once in 3 years. If you are planning to conceive, you must get in touch with your healthcare provider to see when your next screening is due.
It is best to take this crucial step before conceiving, as pregnancy can make the test results more challenging to interpret.
10. Sleep Better
A lack of sleep can harm your general well-being as well as your reproductive health, leading to problems with conceiving. During this period, you must try getting at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep every night to improve your chances of conceiving.