- Chart your cycle. Although it's assumed that a woman's menstrual cycle is 28 days, this is only the average, and few women ovulate exactly on day 14 every single time. In other words, getting pregnant is only as predictable as the cycle is. Charting can give a better idea of when ovulation tends to take place, as opposed to simply assuming ovulation will occur 14 days after the start of a period. Over-the-counter ovulation kits can help with charting.
- Take your prenatal supplements. In order for conception to occur, the body has to have enough vitamins and minerals to support the fetus and the processes related to conception. Taking a prenatal before you get pregnant can get your body prepared for the hard work of making another person and decrease the odds of defects or miscarriage.
- Don't stress out. Stress has an enormous impact on the hormonal levels of the body. The hormonal levels of the body impact when ovulation occurs and how well the body can tolerate conception. By reducing stress, the odds are better that your cycle (and ovulation) will be more predictable and that your body will not reject the pregnancy.
- Take some snuggle time after sex. Sperm need a few minutes to get to their ultimate destination of the egg, since the length of the vagina and cervix is enormous compared to the size of the sperm cell. Continuing to stay horizontal for a while increases the chance that the sperm aren't pulled away from the egg by gravity and also makes it easier for them to swim to the egg.
- Have sex before you ovulate, not after. The egg stays viable for only a short period of time, and it takes time for sperm to reach it, so by having sex prior to ovulation, the odds are increased that both the sperm and egg will be ready and in the same place at the same time. Charting is a good way to figure out an estimate in terms of when ovulation will occur. Once you know a fairly predictable ovulation pattern, have sex in the five days prior to ovulation.
Chart
Take Supplements
Reduce Stress
Take Time
Time Intercourse
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