By Spy Uganda
Once youโve made the big decision to start a family, itโs hard to wait. Luckily, you can (and should!) begin planning right away. Thatโs becauseโas it turns outโthereโs more to getting pregnant fast than just having sex at the right time. Itโs also about creating the perfect environment so that when sperm meets egg, a healthy embryo grows into a healthy baby. So if youโre wondering how to get pregnant fast, read on for expert-vetted dos and donโts. From tracking ovulation to changing your diet, weโre sharing expert tips on getting pregnant to help you on the exciting journey to parenthood.
Step 1: Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
If youโre wondering how to increase your chances of getting pregnant fast, self-care can go a long way. Itโs no secret that your body goes through some major changes and challenges during pregnancy and delivery, so be sure to start your pregnancy journey in tip-top shape by taking important steps toward living a healthy lifestyle. Here, weโve outlined some simple health tips to get pregnant (fingers crossed!).
Eat A Healthy Diet
When trying to get pregnant, itโs important to eat a nutritious, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Gaskin explains that healthy foods help increase progesterone levels (a key hormone in maintaining pregnancy), support ovulation and encourage early implantationโthree critical factors in conceiving.
Watch Your Caffeine Consumption
You donโt have to cut out caffeine completely, but stick to one to two 8-ounce cups a day while trying to conceive. The research is limited and the results are mixed, but some studies suggest that excessive caffeine intake may lead to fertility issues.
Cut Back On Alcohol
While an occasional glass of wine isnโt going to affect your fertility, you might consider avoiding alcohol altogether while youโre trying to conceive. No amount of alcohol is considered safe to drink while pregnant, and since you wonโt know the exact moment you conceive, doctors suggest skipping it altogether. Your partner may want to limit their drinking as well. Research has found that heavy alcohol consumption can affect a manโs sperm count and quality.
Donโt Smoke
moking can impact your chances of getting pregnant fast. Itโs linked to a greater risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies. โSmokers have significantly lower levels of estrogen, which could lower the probability of ovulation in a given menstrual cycle and potentially affect pregnancy maintenance,โ Gaskins says. Itโs a habit male partners should also kick to the curbโsmoking can lower the quality and quantity of their sperm.
Reduce Outside stress
Want to know how to get pregnant fast? The key might actually be to slow down. While the research is mixed, many studies have found a link between stress and infertility. Of course, this can be a vicious cycleโif youโre having trouble conceiving, you may find yourself becoming increasingly tense. Hard as it may be, find calming activities that keep you grounded and bring you joy. This could include gentle yoga, meditation or even talk therapy. Taking care of your mental health is an important form of self-care when trying to conceive. If youโre struggling, donโt hesitate to reach out for help.
Avoid Heat For Increased Sperm Counts
If youโre wondering how to get pregnant with a male partner, one tip is to ditch anything that generates heat. Itโs not just an old wivesโ tale: Hot water really can have a negative effect on a manโs sperm count, according to the University of California San Francisco and Cleveland Clinic. If you and your partner are looking for ways to get pregnant quickly, it may be time to cut back on long soaks in the hot tub and sauna. But thatโs not the only thing that may be increasing heat and decreasing sperm count: A 2016 study found that laptops may also adversely affect a manโs fertility, as well as heat from wearing tight underwear and pants.
Have Well-Timed Sex
When youโre trying to conceive with a male partner, you have an incentive to hit the sheets all the time. But like anything, too much of a good thing can backfire. Experts say the best way to get pregnant fast is to have sex once a day, every other day, during the fertile window right before and after ovulation. If you have sex too often, your partnerโs sperm count may be reducedโand if you donโt have enough sex, the sperm may be old and unable to swim as fast. Suffice to say: Getting pregnant isnโt necessarily as simple as getting busyโand there are some considerations to keep top of mind when itโs finally time to make a baby.
