Getting pregnant is a very complex process and requires that many factors line up just right – it’s not just about having sex. Some women fall pregnant quickly, while for others it may take some time, every woman and every couple are different. In fact, did you know that 1 in 6 Australians suffer infertility?
The most important advice for a woman who wants to get pregnant is to get to know her body and to take good care of it. Dr Farag has been taking care of patients and delivering babies on the Central Coast for nearly 20 years.
Dr Farag has complied some top tips for women wanting to get pregnant:
Record menstrual cycle frequency
A woman who wants to have a baby should monitor whether the first days of her periods tend to come the same number of days apart every month, which is considered regular. Conversely, her periods may be irregular, meaning her cycle lengths vary from month to month. By tracking this information on a calendar, a woman can better predict when she might be ovulating, which is the time when her ovaries will release an egg every month.
Monitor ovulation
Women with regular cycles ovulate about two weeks before the arrival of their periods. It’s harder to predict ovulation in women with irregular cycles, but it usually occurs 12 to 16 days before the start of her next period. The Fertility Society of Australia (FSA) explains that conception is only possible from about 5 days before ovulation through to the day of ovulation. These 6 days are your fertile window and reflect the lifespan of sperm (5 days) and the egg (24 hours).
You are most likely to get pregnant if you have sex within a day or so of ovulation.
Strive for a healthy body weight
Being in the healthy weight range increases your chances of conception. Being too heavy can reduce a woman’s odds of conceiving but being too thin can make it even harder to have a baby. Having too much body fat produces excess estrogen, which can interfere with ovulation. Losing 5 to 10 percent of body weight before a woman starts trying to get pregnant could improve her fertility. Women who are too thin might not be getting regular periods or could stop ovulating.
Have sex every other day during the fertile window
So, you need to be in it to win it!! Having sex regularly is a good start to the process. The “fertile window” spans a six-day interval, the five days prior to ovulation and the day of it. These are the days each month when a woman is most fertile.
There are plenty of common misconceptions and old wives’ tales about conception. For example, there is no evidence that sex position will influence a couple’s chances of having a baby, nor does a woman lying on her back for a certain amount of time after intercourse increase the odds of conceiving.
Eat well
Nutrition is a key factor in keeping our bodies healthy and well. Eating a variety of healthy foods can help prepare a woman’s body for pregnancy by giving her adequate stores of critical nutrients such as calcium, protein, and iron. This means eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, dairy and healthy sources of fat.
Quit smoking
Smoking can lead to fertility problems in both women and men. By quitting smoking you are more likely to conceive naturally and without delay, less likely to suffer a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy and less likely to deliver your baby prematurely.
Stress less
Now we know this is always easier said than done but try your best not to get too stressed about falling pregnant. Depression, anxiety, and stress can affect the hormones that control ovulation. This could make it difficult for a woman to become pregnant. Having unprotected sex every couple of days is the best way to make sure there is always a good supply of sperm to fertilise the egg when it is released.
Seek help from a professional
If you have been having unprotected sex without any pregnancy luck, then it might be time to engage with a professional. Seeking health advice from a health professional to help you prepare for getting pregnant may assist you in the process of getting pregnant. Dr Farag has been taking care of patients on the Central Coast for nearly 20 years and him and his team are well respected and trusted in the local community.
Are you looking to get pregnant or are you newly pregnant?
Dr Farag and his team are here for you!
As ongoing support for our community during COVID 19, Dr Farag is offering the following services:
- No pregnancy management fees or delivery gaps
- No gaps for all in-hospital procedures including all major & laparoscopic procedures.
Contact us today to find out more, call (02) 4324 1992.
Resources:
www.healthdirect.gov.au
www.fertilitysociety.com.au
www.womenshealth.gov