Once you and your partner make the decision to have a baby, confusion often sets in on how to go about conceiving quickly. It may seem impossible with all of the elements involved. Knowledge is the key to increasing the chance of conception and getting that positive pregnancy test much sooner.
Understanding Ovulation
An understanding of your body's cycle will often help with a quick conception. The average length of a woman's cycle is 28 days. However, cycle length varies between 21 to 35 days, making pinpointing ovulation difficult. Women often assume they ovulate 14 days after the first day of their last period, a common misconception. Women are more likely to ovulate 14 days before their next period. This can mean that women are trying to conceive days too early or too late. Tracking your cycles over three months can help determine your average cycle length. Pregnancy is more likely to occur in the five-day window just before ovulation. Your body will also give you clues that you are about to ovulate, such as increased body temperature, increased watery cervical mucus and cramping or twinges in the ovaries.
Sex
Having sex around the clock during ovulation can take the fun out of sex and will not necessarily lead to a speedy conception. In fact, quality beats quantity when it comes to sperm, and frequent emissions can decrease the quality of ejaculate. Because sperm have the ability to live in the vagina for up to 72 hours after intercourse, daily sex is optional.
Some controversy surrounds whether sexual position matters while trying to become pregnant. No scientific evidence proves that any one position increases your chances. However, gravity does matter and the optimal conditions for conception mean keeping the sperm as close to the cervix as possible. This means avoiding positions where fluids may run out. It is also a good idea to lie for 10 to 15 minutes after intercourse to allow gravity to do its job.
Vitamins and Herbal Supplements
Psychologist-nutritionist Dr. Marilyn Glenville explains that using supplements such as zinc, selenium and folic acid can help regulate your body's hormones, improve health and provide the base for a healthy pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also states that having enough folic acid in your system (400 micrograms a day) at conception greatly reduce your baby's chances of brain and spinal cord defects. They recommend starting at least one month prior to conception.
There has also been some consideration of the herb agnus castus, also known as vivex or chaste tree berry. It works to restore the hormonal balance in a woman helping to regulate or restart a woman's menstrual cycle by increasing the ratio of estrogen to progesterone. However, taking these pills while on birth control or fertility medications is not recommended unless prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner.
Considerations
You can do other things to build up your fertility. Quitting smoking has been shown to significantly improve fertility in both women and men. A woman's weight is also a factor. Research conducted by the University of Sheffield shows that losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can significantly improve an overweight woman's chances of conception. Getting just 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day will often improve a woman's fertility and help promote a safe pregnancy.
Though the idea of conceiving a child may seem daunting, statistics show that 85 percent of women will become pregnant within 12 months. If it takes longer than a year, a specialist should be consulted.
