7 Things you need to do when Trying to get Pregnant
What you Need to Do Before you Start Trying to get Pregnant
The first time we tried to get pregnant, I didn’t tell anyone. Being that secrets aren’t my forte, this was a big deal. This time around, I haven’t done such a great job of keeping things under wraps, mainly because I’m constantly getting the “when are you gonna have another one?” question thrown at me. While I don’t like the pressure of other people knowing that we’re trying, I’ve realized that trying to conceive, being pregnant, and having a baby is a process that happens differently for everyone. As someone who writes about pregnancy and babies, I figure it’s only fair to share my journey the second time around.
So, here we are! This month, we’re going to start trying for our second baby. I wanted to share everything I’m doing to try to conceive in the hopes that one of these tips might be just the thing that helps you get pregnant. Here are 7 things you need to do when trying to get pregnant.
Download an Ovulation Tracking App
I highly recommend downloading an ovulation tracking app a few months before you try to get pregnant. Heck, they’re actually pretty helpful when you’re trying not to get pregnant, too! All you have to do is plug in your period days and the app will show you a calendar highlighting your fertile window and when you can expect your next period. I’m a big fan of the Glow app. It’s easy to use and shows you your chance of getting pregnant each day. The app will do as much or as little as you would like. While I only use it to get an idea of when I’ll be ovulating, you can enter even more information to get more exact results.
Related: How to Survive the Two Week Wait
Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins
Did you know that it’s a good idea to start taking prenatal vitamins before you even get pregnant? Taking prenatals helps your body get all the vitamins and nutrients it needs to make a baby. Of course you can get pregnant without taking them, but studies show that taking prenatal vitamins when trying to conceive helps you get pregnant faster and reduces the risk of miscarriage.
Order Ovulation Tests and Pregnancy Tests
This morning, my ovulation and pregnancy test strips came in the mail (and these are literally the things I get excited about as an adult). I got the Easy@Home kit that comes with 50 ovulation strips and 20 pregnancy tests. Last time around, I didn’t use ovulation tests and we got pregnant really easily. However, after having Weston, I breastfed for over a year and didn’t get my period back until I was done nursing (which was only a few months ago). Since then, my cycle hasn’t been running like clockwork like it used to. Before having Weston, I could tell you the day and time I was going to start. Now, I might be four days early or two days late… I never really know. So, just to make sure I’m where I think I am in my cycle, I’m going to test this time. However, the real reason I got the strips is because they only cost cheaper than a two pack of pregnancy tests from the pharmacy. If you’re someone who likes to test early and often, I highly recommend getting these test strips.
Related: 6 Great Products that can Help you Conceive
Eat Right, Exercise, and Get Plenty of Rest
I honestly believe that one of the biggest reasons we got pregnant with Weston so quickly was because we really taking care of ourselves. We were working out and eating right and didn’t have any babies to keep us up at night. Now that we have a little one running around, the workouts are a little more infrequent and I’d be lying if I said we didn’t finish a whole tray of chocolate chip cookies the other night. However, I’ve been trying to sneak in a few more fruits and veggies and have been doing 30 minute workouts in my living (even if they are interrupted by a toddler who desperately needs a snack).
Stay Away from the Lube
If using a lubricant is part of your typical bedroom routine, put it away while you’re trying to conceive. Lubricants can alter the pH balance in your vagina and actually slow sperm down. However, there is a lube that is specifically designed to help women get pregnant. Pre-Seed is a fertility friendly lubricant that mimics your body’s natural fluids and helps sperm swim freely.
Do the Baby Dance
I can’t even believe I’m writing about this, but obviously you have to do the baby dance if you want to make a baby. I think there are still some misconceptions about when to have sex if you’re trying to conceive. It is recommended that you have sex right before you ovulate and right after. Sperm can live in the body for two to three days, so having sex the day before you ovulate can help you get pregnant. The ovulation test strips show when ovulation is about to occur, so it is recommended that you have sex for three consecutive days once you get a positive ovulation test.
Stay Positive
I’ve promised myself that no matter how long it takes to pregnant, I won’t let this part become a chore or become something that we don’t enjoy as a couple. If you’ve been trying for a while, and you’re frustrated, having scheduled days to have sex each month isn’t romantic or fun. While it’s easier said than done, try not to put too much pressure on yourself and enjoy this time with your partner.
Related:
- 40+ Moms Share Their First Signs of Pregnancy
- The Pregnancy Symptoms you Haven’t Heard About
- The Best Fertility Monitors that will Help you Get Pregnant Fast
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7 Tips for Couples who are Trying to Conceive
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