If you and your partner are trying to conceive, one of the best things you can do is to understand the female ovulation cycle and time your intercourse accordingly. Being aware of this information can dramatically increase your chances of conception. Though it should be noted that both you and your partner should be in good health and know that you’re both fertile. The first thing you must do is to maximize your natural fertility. Both partners must take steps to maximize fertility such as: follow a healthy balanced diet and take regular exercise. Women should avoid aggressive weight loss detox or crash diets because it’s vital that the fetus has all the necessary nutrients for it to successfully implant itself in the uterus. Be sure you take some key nutrients especially folic acid even before you start trying to conceive.
Timing Is Everything
The second thing you must do is to understand that timing is everything! Timing is very important as the window for fertilization is relatively small. Once the female egg has been released from the ovary and begins to travel down the fallopian tube towards the uterus, it can only be fertilized in the next 12 to 24 hours. If you’re aiming for this egg to be fertilized, you need to make sure the sperm cells are readily available. Therefore it’s important that the man should abstain from intercourse or masturbation for three to four days before ovulation is expected so that his semen volume is elevated to perfect the timing for intercourse. You must find the exact day of ovulation!
You can figure out ovulation by using a daily of ovulation test (you can read more about this here). Once you receive a positive ovulation test, this indicates ovulation is likely to happen in the next 12 to 36 hours. To maximize your chances of getting pregnant you must then have sexual intercourse the night before you ovulate, then the morning of ovulation day and once again the day after expected ovulation just in case.
How Often To Have Sex
There is a lot of information out there about how frequent to have sex when trying to conceive. I personally found that doing it every other day is a pretty good rule of thumb. Keep in mind, that sperm can survive up to 5 days in the right environment. This means both partners need to take regular care of themselves and make necessary changes for maximum fertility. If you are reading this, you may already know that getting pregnant isn’t as easy for some as they said it was in high school! So there are supplements and “ttc friendly” lubricants you can use for assistance.
Dealing With Stress
The third thing is to have a good stress relief option. Getting stressed can affect your fertility by delaying menstrual cycles and even ovulation. I know, I know trying to conceive can be stressful when you want something so badly. If you are able to, exercise can really help you relieve stress. Believe me when I say I do not like to exercise, but a nice walk with or without your partner can be a refreshing break. Trying to get pregnant can become an obsession and even a job! Try to remember why you are doing it and all the positive thoughts you can think of in order to stay focused and not let yourself get discouraged. After years of trying, it became so stressful for me and caused a lot of anger and resentment towards others and even my husband. So I get that it is easier said than done!
