Preparing for Pregnancy
We hear a lot about the journey of pregnancy, but what about the days and months leading up to it? They can be full of surprises and emotions too, and unfortunately, they aren't talked about as much as they should be. As you may know, every person is different and so is their journey. While age and other factors may play a role when it comes to conceiving a baby, there are smaller lifestyle changes that you can make to increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Here are some helpful tips that you can try in the months leading up to trying for a baby:- Reduce alcohol and nicotine consumption (you will have to avoid it completely once you are pregnant)
- Talk to your doctor about wanting to become pregnant. This would be a good time to review medications that you are taking and which ones may interfere with your chances of conceiving.
- Increase vegetable intake for added vitamins and minerals. Some women even start taking a prenatal vitamin supplement while they are trying to conceive.
- If you are getting off of birth control, be sure to talk to your doctor about changes that may happen to your body (some women can become successfully pregnant almost immediately after stopping birth control, but it may take longer for some women).
Trying For a Baby
So once you have talked with your doctor and your partner about becoming pregnant and are ready to move forward, there are some other things that you should keep in mind. From tracking your menstrual cycle to knowing when you are ovulating, here are additional tips to consider when you and your partner are ready to start trying for a baby!- Track your menstrual cycle: Write down your periods as they come each month and make a note of when they start and end, how heavy they are and whether there is any pain associated with them. This will also help you to track when you are ovulating.
- Find out if you are ovulating: There are multiple ways to track ovulation and keeping up with your menstrual cycle will help with this. The first way is by simply counting about 14 days before your next cycle period. Although this way does work, it can vary based on the regularity of your period. Other options include ovulation testing strips or taking your temperature every morning (If the temperature rises above or remains higher than the previous day, then it means that ovulation has occurred and you may become pregnant.)
- Have fun! It’s important to feel comfortable and enjoy yourself while you are trying for a baby. Tracking cycles and taking temperatures may not be the most romantic thing, but try to keep the pressure to a minimum and don’t forget to simply enjoy the experience of making a baby!
