It's Time to Get Pregnant
Many women are waiting until later in life to get pregnant and are finding it may not be as easy as they thought. If you are trying to become pregnant, chart your basal body temperature daily, chart your menstrual cycle, pinpoint your time of ovulation, read your cervical mucus, and learn about sex positions that boost conception probability. Maintaining a healthy weight increases your chances of becoming pregnant.
What Can I Do to Increase My Chances of Getting Pregnant?
Abstain from alcohol and tobacco to get your body ready to carry a healthy baby. Your husband will provide healthier sperm if he does the same. Changing from briefs to boxer shorts puts less pressure on his genitals and can increase the number of strong sperm. Both of you need to control your stress levels.
In case you do not get pregnant right away, it is best to follow a few "rules" from the start. Make an appointment with your OB/GYN to be certain you do not have any physical problems that might get in the way. At the same time, have your annual pelvic exam. This will ensure that you do not have cancer or an STD, and make sure that you are healthy. Ask your obstetrician to recommend a reasonable amount of time for you and your partner to try getting pregnant before starting infertility testing. Doctors recommend anywhere between three months and one year.
Begin proper nutrition before you start trying to conceive--both you and your partner. Limit the amount of caffeine you drink. If either of you smoke, quit. You should stop drinking any alcoholic beverages and do not take any drugs. While you are trying to become pregnant, there will be about two weeks before you know that you have conceived, so you need to have these healthy habits in place before hand.
Purchase a basal body temperature thermometer. Learn how to properly chart your readings and begin as soon as you can. Have a chart ready, and begin charting your temperature the first day of your menstrual cycle. Charts may be downloaded off the internet or use the one that came with the thermometer. Take your temperature the first thing every morning (at the same time) before getting out of bed, speaking, or moving. Record your reading. Your temperature will normally be in the 96-97 range. The day after you ovulate your temperature should rise approximately 0.4 of a degree. This shift in temperature should drop again when your next cycle begins. If it stays elevated, it usually means you have conceived. Through your temperature chart, you will know when you are ovulating. If you do not see the expected changes, this may indicate that you have an infertility problem. Your OB will want to read at least three months of charted information if you suspect an infertility problem. A diagnosis may be made sooner if this information is available.
Keeping well hydrated helps to increase your cervical fluid that makes pregnancy more likely. Take prenatal vitamins, either ones your doctor prescribes or over-the-counter brands. The folic acid they contain is important for your body since it helps eliminate neural tube defects with the baby.
Always check to make sure your insurance covers maternity. If it does not or you are uninsured, look for state assistance and check with your doctor and hospital about payment plans they will accept. Most hospitals and doctors expect the full bill to be paid by the seventh month of your pregnancy.
Relax. Take this joyful journey one day at a time. Do not become stressed about it. Enjoy the time with your partner. Remember you are still making love to each other. Don't let the romance in your relationship suffer when you are trying to become pregnant--remember that the baby is just a fantastic bonus!
© 2013
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