Trying to Conceive: 7 Tips for Getting Pregnant

This conversation is sponsored  by Astroglide TTC.  All words and opinions are 100% my own.

So you’ve decided you want to start a family, or perhaps you’re wanting to add an addition to the family you’ve already started.  Pregnancy doesn’t just happen to every woman on their first try though.  If you’re trying to conceive, here are a few tips that may help increase your chances.

Know your body. 
It’s helpful to track your monthly cycle so you can note any fluctuations in your periods, and so you can figure out which days you will be ovulating.  Pregnancy is most likely to occur with intercourse within the three days before ovulation.  Check out this free period tracker printable to help get you organized!


Quit smoking.
If you smoke cigarettes, now is the time to quit.  Smoking affects how receptive the uterus is to the egg. And in men, smoking can reduce sperm production and damage DNA. Experts also strongly suggest quitting smoking before you’re pregnant. Smoking while pregnant boosts the risk of miscarriage.

Watch your weight.
Studies have confirmed that women who are obese or overweight can take twice as long to get pregnant.  Similarly, underweight women may have an even harder time with fertility.  Optimal BMI for conception ranges from 19-25, or what is considered a normal weight.


Eat Well.
Make sure to include enough protein, iron, zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin D in your diet, because deficiencies in these nutrients have been linked to lengthened menstrual cycles (and therefore less frequent ovulation) and a higher risk of early miscarriage. Ask your doctor if you should take a daily multivitamin supplement.

Relax.
Stress has a way of wreaking havoc on everything, including your fertility.  An American study that followed 401 couples who were trying to get pregnant found that women with the highest levels of alpha-amylase, a stress biomarker, had a 29 percent lower probability of pregnancy than did women with the lowest levels of the stress biomarker.  Too much stress on your body, and your mind, can disrupt hormones, causing menstrual cycles to change and making ovulation less reliable.

Have intercourse more often.

If you want to increase your chances of getting pregnant, it stands to reason that you would need to start having sex more often.  Research suggests that women who engage in regular (at least weekly) intercourse are more likely to have predictable menstrual cycles and normal ovulation than women who have sporadic sex.  According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, having sex every one to two days during your fertile window is associated with the best chance of pregnancy.

Be smart with lubrication.

When trying to conceive, it is vital to provide an environment where sperm has a chance of survival. Environmental conditions are affected by pH levels, osmolality (the concentration of substances like sodium and potassium) and the consistency of egg white cervical mucus. While traditional lubricants may affect these conditions and inhibit sperm motility, studies have shown that Astroglide TTC is compatible with sperm, oocytes and embryos and allows sperm to move freely.

Astroglide TTC™ is a specially formulated for couples who are trying to conceive.  Astroglide TTC supports fertility with adjusted pH levels, compatible osmolality and a consistency similar to your body’s cervical mucus. Each package contains 8 pre-filled disposable applicators that make it easy to coat the inside of the vagina, supplementing natural fluids and enhancing comfort. 

For more information regarding Astroglide TTC™, fertility support, and where to buy please visit the TTC homepage.

Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine

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