Trying for a baby is an exciting time for you and a decision that will dramatically change your entire life as you and your partner take the step to grow your family. However, it can also be a stressful time, particularly if you are struggling to conceive. To help you out during this time on your journey to becoming a parent, read on for a guide to trying for a baby.
Track your menstrual cycle
Once you have stopped your contraception, you won’t know that you are pregnant for the first few weeks. However, the extra pressure put on your sex life when you are trying for a baby can remove the pleasure from intimacy, making sex purely functional. One way to get around this and increase your chances of falling pregnant is to track your menstrual cycle. Doing this will show you the days of your cycle during which you are most fertile and, therefore, most likely to become pregnant. Armed with this knowledge, you can plan your sex life around this time frame.
Look into fertility solutions
It is fairly common for couples to run into fertility issues when they are trying for a baby; fortunately, your chances of successful conception can be easily increased by making simple lifestyle changes, such as losing excess weight, taking regular exercise, and limiting alcohol consumption. However, sometimes you might need a bit of additional help to conceive, so it is worthwhile looking into fertility solutions. Dietary supplements are available which could help to naturally boost fertility and libido, or you might ultimately decide that pursuing IVF is the right course for you and your family.
Remove bad habits from your lifestyle
What you put into your body during pregnancy can directly impact the health of your baby. Therefore, it is a good idea to remove any bad habits from your lifestyle before trying for a baby, as it may be much harder to cut them out once you are pregnant. For instance, quitting smoking and reducing your alcohol and caffeine intake beforehand will make it easier for you to go cold turkey once you are pregnant and could also help to boost your fertility. You should also seek to have a healthy and balanced diet to ensure that your baby gets all the nutrients they need to grow and thrive in the womb.
Start taking folic acid
Folic acid – also known as vitamin B9 – is important as it reduces the risk of your baby developing neural tube defects, which cause problems to the brain or spinal cord, including spina bifida. Folic acid can be found in foods like broccoli, chickpeas, and fortified cereals; however, you might decide to take it as an additional supplement with a doctor’s advice. If you do this, it is important that you take folic acid tablets for two to three months before conceiving, as it needs time to build up to a protective level in your body to be effective.