By: Jesse Jones
Not scientifically reviewed by Dr. Eeks
Becoming parents is a dream shared by millions of couples. However, some find it far harder than others to fall pregnant.
It is suggested that around 85% of couples fall pregnant within the first 12 months of trying. If it has only been a few months, you may not need to change anything right now. If it has been longer than one year, though, here are five steps you could take to boost your hopes.
Invest In Your Health
Couples can certainly fall pregnant even when they aren’t the picture of good health. Nevertheless, taking better care of your health can have a positive impact. A healthy man will benefit from better sperm motility. Likewise, a healthy woman’s egg quality improves. From reducing inflammation through diet to managing weight and blood pressure, several steps can be taken. Supporting positive hormonal balance can also have a positive influence.
While we all know of someone that fell pregnant after a drunken fling, reduced alcohol consumption has a positive influence too.
Know The Ovulation Window
One of the best ways to increase the probability of falling pregnant is to have more frequent sex. However, the goal isn’t simply to have more sex. You also need to time it to boost your chances of conceiving. You don’t need to schedule sex to the minute or hour. After all, enjoyment and spontaneity still matter. Still, understanding the different stages of the cycle and knowing which days you are ovulating is vital. Not least when you’ve been trying for a long time.
Give it at least a few months of having more sex at the right times of the months before you worry. For many couples, this unlocks success.
Consider Alternative Options
When struggling to fall pregnant through traditional methods, alternatives are available. A fertility clinic may be your best outlet. They can guide you through various options including in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and egg donation. It is the extra support that many couples need to become parents. The experts can also offer full fertilisation testing, which provides clarity as to why you’ve not fallen pregnant already. Surrogacy is another potential pathway.
Away from alternative fertilisation routes, you could consider adoption. The love you’ll have for the child still makes you parents.
Reduce Stress
The value of improved health has already been mentioned. However, chronic stress is arguably the worst culprit. It impacts hormone balance in both men and women, thus reducing the likelihood of conception. From physical activities like yoga to seeking professional help through counselling can be very useful. The latter is especially useful for couples who may have fallen into the trap of placing too much pressure on the process.
Stress reduction improves your life in many ways. The fact that it can actively increase your hopes of pregnancy is a bonus.
Continue To Live
Becoming parents will define you, but it’s not the only goal you have. You should still actively pursue career goals, homebuying targets, and other life matters. In fact, you may find that taking a break from active attempts to get pregnant helps out in the long term. If it’s supposed to happen, it will. But you can still talk to doctors and other experts about your concerns or seek personalised advice.
If nothing else, becoming more content in yourselves will strengthen your relationship. And make you happier parents when that time comes.