How to Get Pregnant

Being educated on how to get pregnant is knowing about more than the simple sex act without birth control. Getting pregnant isn't always as easy or quick as most people think it will be. With so much attention paid to birth control in the media, it may seem like the moment a woman tries to conceive, it should happen instantly. However, that's often not the case, and the process can end up being long, tiresome, and frustrating.

There are several ways to help this process along the way. One of the first steps is to understand your body and cycle to aid in timing. On top of proper timing, there are also a few important fertility practices that will significantly boost your odds of throwing a big baby shower in the near future. Pregnancy does not occur for everyone in the first try. However, if you have been trying for over a year, it may be time to see a fertility doctor. Otherwise, there are plenty of tips to take into account when trying for a child.

One of the ways of increasing the likelihood of a successful implantation is to improve the fertility of the male. Professor Michael Lu of the UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology offers five tips on how to improve fertility. Some medical conditions can cause damage to the sperm, and some habits like drinking, smoking, and doing drugs can decrease the sperm count.

• Before you begin trying to achieve pregnancy, it's best to be in the best possible health. You should also eliminate anything in your life that could damage your fertility. Make sure to eat healthily, stop smoking, and exercise frequently. Stay away from harmful chemicals.

A woman isn't fertile every day of her cycle. A study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences showed that women can only get pregnant six days out of the monthly cycle - the five days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/how-to-get-pregnant/PR00103 If you and your partner are only having sex once a week, you may be missing your ovulation window.

You may have learned in high school health class that ovulation takes place 14 days after the start of your period. However, that's only a fact for people who have a consistent 28-day cycle, and not even all of those people ovulate at the same time.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/how-to-get-pregnant/PR00103 By noting just a few pieces of information (your waking body temperature, cervical fluid characteristics, and cervical information) on a calendar or chart, you can confidently predict when you will ovulate, and have intercourse at the time when it is most likely to get you pregnant.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/how-to-get-pregnant/PR00103

• In order to accurately determine when you are most fertile, you'll need a few simple tools.

1. If you do not already own one, purchase a basal thermometer. A standard thermometer is not precise enough for fertility charting.
2. Print out a fertility chart, or sign up for a fertility charting service online.
   1. Fertility UK has fertility charts that can be used with Microsoft Excel.
   2. You can print a free chart from Ovulation-Calculator.com
   3. You can sign up for free fertility tracking software at Fertility Friend, although payment is required to access the full-featured version.
   4. iVillage offers an online version of the Ovusoft fertility tracking software that is very easy to use. It requires a paid subscription, although there is a free trial available.

• A woman's temperature will typically rise between 0.4 and 0.8 degrees Fahrenheit on the day of ovulation.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/birth-control/BI99999/PAGE=BI00027 A basal thermometer measures temperature in one-one hundredth of a degree increments, making it precise enough for the task.

1. Start taking your temperature the first day of your period.
2. Keep your basal thermometer next to your bed. If you get out of bed to get it, your movements will increase your body temperature and your readings will not be valid.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/birth-control/BI99999/PAGE=BI00027
3. You should sleep for at least 3 hours for your temperature reading to be correct.http://www.revolutionhealth.com/healthy-living/pregnancy/planning-pregnancy/increasing-fertility/basal-body-temperature
4. Check your temperature around the same time every morning.http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/fertility-tests-for-women?page=1
5. As soon as you've taken your temperature, enter the information into that day's area of your fertility chart.http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/fertility-tests-for-women?page=1
6. You should see your temperature jump up significantly about halfway through the month. This means you've just ovulated.http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/fertility-tests-for-women?page=1
7. Your temperature should stay elevated until your next period begins, says WebMD http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/fertility-tests-for-women?page=1.
8. Fertility UK has examples of temperature charts.

As you enter all this information into your chart, you will begin to see how it all fits together. You'll develop a very clear picture of when you are fertile.

For more information and resources on fertility awareness, see Mahalo's Natural Family Planning page.

• If you're female, you may have noticed that your underwear gets a bit damp on certain days. This is because of cyclical changes in your cervical mucus. The amount and texture of your cervical fluid (also known as cervical mucus) changes based on how close you are to ovulation, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.http://www.4woman.gov/pregnancy/tryingtogetpregnant/tryingtoconceive.cfm At your most fertile point, your cervical fluid changes to a consistency that helps sperm move toward the egg.http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/fertility-tests-for-women?page=3 Charting your cervical fluid is a very effective method of determining if you're fertile.http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/fertility-tests-for-women?page=3 It requires some comfort with your own body, but is easy to get used to.

1. Check your cervical fluid every time you go to the bathroom.http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/fertility-tests-for-women?page=3 You can do this by running either a clean, dry finger or a piece of toilet paper across your vaginal opening.
2. For several days after your period, you probably won't see any cervical fluid at all, says the US Department of Health and Human Services.http://www.4woman.gov/pregnancy/tryingtogetpregnant/tryingtoconceive.cfm
3. When you start seeing cervical fluid, it will be tacky and thick, with a white or creamy color, Registered General Nurse Jane Knight says.http://www.fertilityuk.org/nfps401.html
4. Over the next several days, Knight says, it will become thinner and wetter, and increase significantly in amount.http://www.fertilityuk.org/nfps401.html
5. When you are fertile, your cervical fluid will look and feel like raw egg whites, says Dr. Roger Harms.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ovulation-signs/AN01521 It will also be very stretchy.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ovulation-signs/AN01521
6. If you use douches or other feminine hygiene products, it will alter your cervical fluid, making it difficult to judge if you are fertile.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cervical-mucus-ovulation/BI00029
7. If you want to improve your cervical fluid, a study in Fertility and Sterility suggests that 200mg of guaifenesin three times a day will make it thinner and improve fertility.http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/cm.html Guaifenesin is the active ingredient in cough medicines such as Robitussin or Mucinex.

• Your cervix changes position and density throughout your cycle, becoming soft and wet when you are fertile http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/fertility-tests-for-women?page=3. If you are comfortable with your body, you can check your cervix daily throughout the month to identify when you are most fertile.

1. Your cervix will feel a bit like the tip of your nose - firm and dry. It should be easy to reach.http://www.fertilityuk.org/nfps402.html
2. When you ovulate, it will be soft, wet, and a bit harder to reach, says WebMD.http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/fertility-tests-for-women?page=3

• The website The Garden of Fertility has a number of pictures of women's cervixes at various points in the cycle.

• Fertility specialists have advice on things you can do to ensure that intercourse is more likely to result in pregnancy.

1. Dr. Donnica Moore says the missionary position is more likely to get a woman pregnant. http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/truth-about-sexual-positions-getting-pregnant
2. Don't use artificial lubricants or lubricating oils during sex; they can kill off sperm.http://www.babycenter.com/404_does-using-a-lubricant-inhibit-conception_7098.bc If lubricants are necessary for sex, try using a brand such as Pre-seed lubricant, which is specifically designed for use by couples trying to get pregnant. It is formulated to help the sperm survive.
3. Have sex frequently during your fertility window.
   • If you have sex every day during your fertile period, you have a 25 percent chance of getting pregnant, according to Dr. Allen Wilcox.http://www.redbookmag.com/your/get-pregnant-yl-3
   • If you have sex every other day, your chances are 22 percent.http://www.redbookmag.com/your/get-pregnant-yl-3
   • If you have sex once per week, your chances of getting pregnant are only 10 percent. http://www.redbookmag.com/your/get-pregnant-yl-3.
4. If you have sex after you ovulate, you aren't likely to get pregnant. Studies show that couples who got pregnant had sex on the day of ovulation or the five days before ovulation.http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/88/99728.htm?pagenumber=1
5. Don't save sex only for the days that you're fertile. Have sex frequently throughout the week in order to help you catch your most fertile period.http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/88/99728.htm?pagenumber=2
6. Men should ejaculate at least once per day--even if it is a solo exercise. An Australian study found that men who ejaculated daily had less DNA-damaged sperm, because it is fresher and less damaged.http://www.thelondonpaper.com/cs/Satellite/london/news/article/1157149340817?packedargs=aid%3D1157149340817%26suffix%3DArticleController
7. Don't douche after sex. You'll get rid of the cervical fluid that the sperm need to help them on their journey to your womb.http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/truth-about-sexual-positions-getting-pregnant

• Even if you have sex at exactly the right time, you only have a one in five chance of becoming pregnant ^[1]. If you don't get pregnant the very first time you try, it's not a sign of disaster! The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends you try for the following amount of time before seeing a fertility specialist:

1. If you are under 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for a year without success, see your doctor.http://www.4women.gov/pregnancy/tryingtogetpregnant/tryingtoconceive.cfm
2. If you are 35 or over and have been trying to get pregnant for six months without success, see your doctor.http://www.4women.gov/pregnancy/tryingtogetpregnant/tryingtoconceive.cfm
3. If you or your partner have anything in your history that indicates you may have problems with fertility, see your doctor.http://www.4women.gov/pregnancy/tryingtogetpregnant/tryingtoconceive.cfm

• If you've been trying for a year (six months if you're 35 or over) without success, it's time to see a doctor.

1. Bring your fertility charts with you when you see your doctor. With the information in them, the doctor may be able to tell if the woman is ovulating, and may be able to determine if she has a short luteal phase.
2. The doctor may test the man's sperm to determine if he has a low sperm count or if his sperm does not have the power to penetrate the ovum, says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.http://www.4women.gov/pregnancy/tryingtogetpregnant/tryingtoconceive.cfm#treating
3. The man may also undergo an ultrasound of his scrotum and rectal area.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infertility/DS00310/DSECTION=6
4. A woman may have a blood test and ultrasound examinations to determine if she is ovulating.http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/fertility-evaluation
5. A woman may have a hysterosalpingography, which is an X-ray of the uterus after the injection of fluid to determine if the fallopian tubes are blocked.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infertility/DS00310/DSECTION=6
6. You may have blood or urine tests to determine that your hormone levels are normal.http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/tc/infertility-tests-overview?page=2
7. A woman might undergo ovarian reserve testing to determine if she has enough healthy ovum to easily achieve pregnancy.http://www.cincinnatifertility.com/In_Vitro/Ovarian_Reserve.htm
8. Genetic testing can determine if there are any genetic obstacles to fertility.http://www.revolutionhealth.com/conditions/reproductive-health/infertility/diagnose-overview/tests

• The male's role in successful conception is to have abundant, healthy sperm that can successfully reach, penetrate and fertilize the female's egg. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fertility/MC00023

1. Keep Cool: High temperatures can lower sperm production, making conception more difficult. Keep your scrotal temperature down by wearing loose underwear, such as boxers, and avoiding long baths, saunas and prolonged sitting.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fertility/MC00023
2. Take Vitamins: Men should take vitamins such as E, C and zinc, which increase the health and mobility of your sperm.http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/male-infertility-facts
3. Stop Smoking: Men who smoke have lower sperm counts.http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/getting-pregnant-ways-to-improve-your-fertility
   • Bear in mind that your smoking can decrease your partner's fertility: even secondhand smoke can make it more difficult for women to conceive, says a study in the journal Human Reproduction.http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/getting-pregnant-ways-to-improve-your-fertility
4. Exercise Moderately: A reasonable amount of exercise enhances your physical and reproductive health. But don't overdo it. Excessive exercise reduces the amount of testosterone in your body and, consequently, lowers your sperm count.http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/male-infertility-facts
5. Stop Recreational Drug Use: You should start discontinuing the use of substances such as alcohol and recreational drugs (including marijuana, cocaine and amphetamines), which can compromise the quality and quantity of your sperm. Some substances also lessen the male's sex drive.[http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/male-infertility-facts
6. Avoid Toxins: Clear your work and living places of hazardous materials such as heavy metals, pesticides and chemical solvents that can adversely affect the health of your sperm.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fertility/MC00023
7. Reverse Your Vasectomy: If you've had a vasectomy, you will need to have a vasectomy reversal. It takes a few months for the sperm to reappear in the semen after surgery and vasectomy reversal leads to successful conception in 52% of men over the course of two years.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vasectomy/HQ01049

1. Discontinue Birth Control: You must discontinue all birth control if you are trying to have a baby.http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/getting-pregnant-after-birth-control
   1. If you have an IUD, get it removed.
   2. If you are on the pill, stop taking it at the end of the current cycle. Your chances of getting pregnant after discontinuing the Pill are about the same as that of someone who has never taken it.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19803528/
   3. If you are on Depo-Provera, it will take about nine or ten months after discontinuing shots to get pregnant.http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/contraceptive/043.html
2. Stop Smoking: Women who smoke find it harder to conceive.http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/getting-pregnant-ways-to-improve-your-fertility
3. Reduce Stress: Reducing stress will increase your chances of conception.http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/getting-pregnant-ways-to-improve-your-fertility
4. Manage Weight: If you are underweight or overweight, try to bring your weight to a level that is more appropriate for your body.http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/fertility-problems-being-overweight-or-underweight According to a study at the University of South Carolina at Charleston, the majority of overweight and underweight women with fertility problems were able to achieve pregnancy once they reached their ideal weight.http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/88/99728.htm?pagenumber=5

You may be interested in these Mahalo How to pages related to pregnancy:

• How to Get Pregnant Fast
• How to Get Pregnant Videos
• How to Improve Male Fertility
• How to Calculate Due Date
• What Are Pregnancy Trimesters
• How to Monitor Your Fertility Cycle
• How to Chart Your Basal Body Temperature
• How to Improve Fertility
• How to Calculate Ovulation
• How to Find a Fertility Specialist
• How to Monitor Your Fertility Cycle
• How to Choose a Fertility Doctor
• How to Find a Gynecologist
• How to Induce Labor
• How to Induce Labor Naturally

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here.