Tips To Get Pregnant Faster

When you finally decide you're ready for a baby, you probably want to get pregnant right away. But often that doesn't happen, and you may have to try for several months before you're able to see that plus sign on a pregnancy test. According to "Redbook" magazine, the chances that a normal, healthy woman regularly having intercourse will get pregnant are only 20 to 40 percent during any given cycle. Though not a guarantee, several tips may help you get pregnant faster.

Improve Your Diet

It's never too early to start eating well for the baby you're planning to create. Cut back on junk food and high-fat foods and increase your consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. The book "What to Expect When You're Expecting" stresses intake of adequate folic acid, which appears to boost fertility and can dramatically reduce the risk of neural tube defects and preterm births.

Get Your Weight in Check

The authors of "What to Expect When You're Expecting" warn that being overweight or very underweight not only reduces the chances of conception, but, if you do conceive, weight problems can increase the risk of pregnancy complications. Add or cut calories as needed, but if you're trying to lose weight, do so slowly and sensibly.

Clean Up Your Act

When trying to get pregnant you should be as healthy as possible. Pregnancy Today recommends that you and your partner stop indulging in alcohol, cease smoking and limit caffeine. Exercise can also put you on the right track to conception, plus it will tone and strengthen your muscles in preparation for carrying and delivering your baby. Avoid excessive, exhaustive workouts and avoid overheating, which can interfere with conception.

Determine Your Most Fertile Days

Knowing when ovulation occurs is the key to getting pregnant fast. Ovulation most often occurs halfway through your menstrual cycle. One way to determine this is to subtract 14 from the length of your cycle. For example, if you have a 28-day cycle you would ovulate around day 14.

Ovulation predictor kits can pinpoint your date of ovulation 12 to 24 hours in advance. The American Pregnancy Association recommends using an ovulation kit or fertility monitor to maximize your chances of getting pregnant and to confirm when your ovulation is occurring.

Have Sex Before You Ovulate

Sperm can survive in your uterus and fallopian tubes for two to three days, but your egg only lasts 12 to 24 hours after it is released. Ensuring that there is some sperm waiting around for the egg will increase your chances of conception. The website Parents suggests having sex every other day starting around day 10 of your cycle. This should ensure that you don't miss your most fertile days.

Lie On Your Back After Sex

Lying on your back after sex can increase your chances of getting pregnant. Parents notes that because the vagina naturally slopes downward, resting on your back after sex allows sperm to pool there, which gives them an edge in swimming toward your egg.

Relax

Relaxing could be the most important step in getting pregnant quickly. If you're stressing about getting pregnant, then it may take longer than it would if you were relaxed. "What to Expect When You're Expecting" urges women to learn to do relaxation exercises, to meditate and to cut down as much as possible on stress in daily life.