AD | Bringing a new life into the world can be an amazing experience, but sadly trying for a baby isn’t always an easy process. While some people are able to conceive very quickly, others can suffer from unexplained infertility for years. For instance, 1 in 7 heterosexual couples in the UK are affected by infertility, which can be devastating when you’re longing to become a parent. So, what can you do to improve your chances of getting pregnant? And how can you cope with the potentially recurring disappointments?
Trying for a Baby – Tips That May Help You Conceive and How To Cope With Disappointment If You Don’t
Of course, treatments like IVF are available to help couples conceive, but this can be a very long and expensive process, especially if you don’t conceive within the first round. While there’s no magic solution, here are some other helpful – and far less costly – tips that hopeful couples can use while trying for a baby.
Cut Out Any Bad Habits
While some medical interventions during pregnancy and birth, such as epidurals, are generally safe, complications like epidural injury can still occur – another reason to focus on overall health from the very beginning. One thing you can do to help improve your chances of getting pregnant is to cut out any bad habits. Things like smoking, vaping, and alcohol consumption can have negative effects on your body, which can lead to you being unable to conceive. When couples are struggling to have a baby, it’s equally important that both the man and the woman cut out bad habits during the process of trying to get pregnant.
It takes two to make a baby. So, if either of you are smoking and drinking a lot, even if only on the weekends, then it’s time to quit. This can sometimes be difficult for both partners, as it can be a big lifestyle change, but ultimately it will all be worth it when you do manage to conceive.
Pay Attention To Your Diet
In addition to cutting out bad habits, you should also start paying closer attention to your diet and what you’re both putting in your bodies when trying for a baby. The food we eat plays a huge role in our overall health, including our fertility, so if you’re both consuming lots of processed, junk foods, then this could be impacting your reproductive systems. Focus on eating balanced meals with plenty of fruits and vegetables and don’t forget to stay hydrated too.
When women are trying to conceive, they should also start taking folic acid supplements at least two months before stopping any form of contraception. Folic acid is an essential vitamin that reduces the risk of birth defects like spina bifida. While folic acid doesn’t increase the chances of conception, it’s still very important to include it in your diet, as it will protect your baby from future health issues.
Keep Your Mind Occupied
Not being able to conceive can be devastating, so it’s important to find ways to keep your mind occupied. While it can be difficult to focus on anything else, you’ll find that if you keep yourself distracted, you’ll become less stressed about the whole situation. A great way to keep yourself busy is to think of future plans and what your life will be like when you do eventually conceive.
You could start thinking of ideas for how you will announce your pregnancy. Pregnancy announcements are all the more meaningful when you’ve been struggling to conceive, assuming of course your nearest and dearest know about your plans. You could even start researching a few different ways to surprise your family with the announcement in due course.
Track Your Ovulation
Tracking your ovulation is a great way of improving your chances of conceiving as it gives you a more accurate understanding of when you’re most fertile. While you’re able to get pregnant just after a period, women are most fertile at the time of ovulation, which is usually around 14 days from the first day of your period. If you have a regular cycle, you may be able to work out when you’re likely to ovulate as your cervical mucus becomes clearer and more slippery around this time.
Otherwise, one of the easiest ways to track your ovulation is to use an app, as they essentially do all the work for you. Some of the best apps to use when trying for a baby are:
- Natural Cycles
- Glow Period Fertility Tracker
- Period Diary
- Flo Period and Ovulation Tracker
While some apps are free of charge, others may require a small subscription fee, so do some research and read all the reviews before you part with any money.
Join Support Groups
If you and your partner are struggling to cope with the constant disappointment, you may find it beneficial to join a support group. As mentioned earlier, infertility affects around 1 in 7 couples, so do remember you’re not alone in your struggles. By connecting with others, either in person or via online forums, you get the opportunity to hear their stories and experiences too. No one knows how heart-breaking infertility can be until you experience it, so joining a support group could help you both.
Trying for a baby can be one of the most exciting times for couples but can also come with its own set of challenges. Hopefully, these 5 tips have been helpful for you. Knowing what to expect and being prepared for the ups and downs of the whole process can help make the experience a more positive one, whether you’re able to conceive quickly or are facing a longer journey to becoming a parent.
* This is a collaborative post – please see my Disclaimer.
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