Making Your Conception Chances Count

What? I'm Not Pregnant?

You've been on the pill for years, you both have amazing careers and you've got all the bells and whistles. You've decided it's time for a baby. So, you quit taking birth control pills and expected you'd be pregnant by morning. Only, it didn't happen. What's going on?

Well, the fact of the matter is that one in six couples experiences fertility problems, so yours is a very common issue. Don't panic. Probably you just need to figure one or two things out and everything will be just fine.

It's All About Pregnancy Sex

Couples who are trying to conceive (TTC) seem to forget that the best way to conceive a pregnancy is to have regular sex. Gee, go figure. Geeta Nargund, medical director of the Diana Princess of Wales Centre for Reproductive Medicine at St. George's Hospital in London says, "Often, when I ask patients how long they've been trying to have a baby, they'll say for the past six years. But when you get down to it, they haven't been trying for six years because they haven't been having regular sex. Professional couples often work in different places and have busy lives so don't find time to have sex at the right time of the month. You should try to have sex at the time of ovulation which is around day 14 of your menstrual cycle."

One fertility specialist from the US suggests that straddling your partner is not a good idea because it means that semen will leak out. Instead, the so-called missionary position is a good one because it places the deposit of semen right at the cervix's door. If a small pillow is placed under the hips after intercourse the cervix rests in a pool for semen for about 20 minutes. It is possible to encourage the semen to race toward the cervix and begin the battle of the egg - which one is going to get there first. This is a great method to ensure delivery. And, if you've got a tipped uterus, try sex from the rear on your hands and knees. This position seems to work better for women with a tipped uterus as it gives the sperm better access to the cervix.

Preparing Your Body for a Baby

It is very important that you prepare your body for conception and pregnancy. Often women don't even think about it. They just assume that they'll get pregnant when they want and it will all be wonderful. The reality is that if you're not taking good care of your body, then conception may be difficult, the pregnancy may be fraught with troubles and you and your baby may suffer in the end.

Fertility experts agree that it is best if you can be at your ideal weight before you conceive. Don't know what that is? Check in with your doctor to find out. If you are on either side of the line, too thin or too heavy, conception is threatened. Your periods and ovulation can be affected by either condition. If you aren't exercising, why not? Exercise is not only good for the body, it's good for the mind as well - and, since we're talking about conception - it's especially good for increasing your chances of becoming pregnant. The added benefit is that your fit body will be better able to handle the stresses and physical demands of pregnancy.

Hopefully you don't need to be told that smoking and drinking are not good things to be doing if you're trying to conceive. Research supports the fact that women who drink fewer than five small glasses of wine a week increase their chances of conception. More than that and the chances go down the tubes.

If you're smoking, the question is: Why? Beside the fact that smoking can kill you, or give you cancer, it robs the body of essential nutrients for fertility. Zinc, selenium and vitamin C are all siphoned from the body with smoking. Smoking increases the levels of toxins in the blood and it lowers fertility hormone levels so it takes longer to conceive. Over-the-counter drugs (OTCs) are another concern, as are prescribed drugs. Check with the doctor and read the labels. Be sure to tell your doctor you are trying to have a baby before you accept any prescriptions for drugs. One thing you can (and should) do is take folic acid long before you plan to conceive. Folic acid is critical to preventing neural tube defects like spina bifida.

Preparing His Body for a Baby

Get the man in shape, too. Be sure his testes don't bake in a sauna or fry under the heat of his laptop balanced on his knees. Heat can kill sperm. Tight-fitting underwear and anything that can increase scrotal heat should be avoided. Vitamins E, C, and zinc contribute to healthy sperm in terms of numbers and quality. If this man smokes, he needs to stop - now. Smoking will lower his sperm count.

Both of you should eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet of organic foods. Make sure you both get enough protein and kick the coffee habit. Drink lots of water and get to know how your body works. Rediscover your menstrual cycle and find out if you ovulate regularly. If you're coming off the pill, you will be happy to know your first few months are high rollers in terms of fertility. The other news is that it goes down from there. So, make hay while the sun shines!

There's so much to learn! Check us out at this site to find out more about pregnancy and preparations.