You waited years for the right moment to start trying to have a baby, and you will have to wait almost a whole extra year once you actually conceive. Naturally, you probably want to hurry along the baby making process. Before you begin, though, you need to be sure your body is ready to handle a pregnancy and learn how to pinpoint the moments during the month when you are the most fertile.
Step 1
Take a 0.4 mg folic acid supplement before you become pregnant. In doing so, and in continuing to take it for the first three months after you become pregnant, you will help reduce the chances that your baby will be born with a birth defect known as spina bifida, according to the National Women’s Health Information Center. Your doctor may prescribe a vitamin, but you can also buy a supplement over the counter.
Step 2
Exercise every day to keep your weight within a healthy range. You may have more trouble getting pregnant if your body mass index is under 20 or above 30, says BabyCenter. To be fit for your pregnancy and reduce some stress that can also stand in the way of conceiving, get about 60 minutes of activity most days of the week. For the best results, do some cardiovascular workouts, such as cycling, and add in some weight training and a stretching routines, suggests BabyCenter.
Step 3
Make nutritious food choices. To get the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy, consume at least 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables on a daily basis in addition to whole grains and calcium-rich foods such as yogurt and milk, says BabyCenter.
Step 4
Talk to your doctor about your health. By setting up a preconception planning appointment, you can rest assured that you have higher chances of conceiving and carrying out a healthy pregnancy, according to the National Women’s Health Information Center. If you have a condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, you will need to take extra steps to keep it under control. Also tell your doctor if you’re currently taking any medications because some can lower your chances of conceiving and endanger a growing baby.
Step 5
Determine when you are most fertile. Women use different methods to assess their fertility, including: looking at the calendar to track their menstrual cycles, watching for changes in their cervical mucus, tracking body temperature on a regular basis and using an ovulation predictor kit. Do some research to find the method that works best for you.
Step 6
Have sex regularly. If you consistently have sex two or three times every week, you are likely to run across a fertile window, according to the Mayo Clinic. Also, if you’re already tracking your ovulation cycle, have sex once per day around the time you ovulate to increase your chances of conceiving.
Things You'll Need
- Folic acid supplement
- Calendar
- Thermometer
- Ovulation kit
