Learner Mama’s Top Tips for Getting Pregnant

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You may have spent years trying to avoid pregnancy but if you are now actively trying to get pregnant check out these top tips to help you on your way!

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1. Know your cycle

You can try all you like to conceive if you don’t have sex at the right time there is no chance it will happen. Conception involves the fertilisation of an egg. You will release an egg on 1 day during your cycle. The trick is to know which day or at the very least around which day.

To know when your egg is being released means knowing when you ovulate. Ovulation generally occurs mid cycle when dealing with a standard 28 day cycle i.e. on day 14. However not everyone has a standard cycle.

To increase your chances of conception it is useful to know how long your average cycle is. If you don’t know then begin tracking it. Ovulation generally occurs 14 days before your next period starts so if you have a 32 day cycle it is likely you ovulated around day 18.

There are also some symptoms that occur mid cycle when ovulation is occurring that you can watch out for. Cramping on one side, a change in cervical mucous – it turns egg white like – and a change in basal body temperature.

Why not check out our online ovulation calculator to predict when you my be ovulating.

In addition you can purchase Ovulation Predictor kits to determine ovulation more accurately and also there are a range of apps available to download to track cycles and predict fertile days.

2. Start taking Folic Acid

It is highly recommended that if you plan to get pregnant that you make sure you are taking Folic Acid. This is easily available from supermarkets and health food stores and should be taken every day until approximately 14 weeks pregnant. Don’t worry if you became pregnant unexpectedly and were not taking it (been there done that!) just make sure you start taking it as soon as you find out and therefore reduce the risk of neural tube defects.

3. Watch your diet

When you are trying to get pregnant where possible it is a good idea to ensure that you are looking after yourself. Eating healthy food, cutting down on the toxins going into your body (such as junk food, alcohol and smoking) and getting plenty of exercise get your body in shape for maximising your conception chances.

4. De-stress

Stress plays havoc with our bodies so, at a time when you are trying to get your body ready to grow another human being it makes sense that keeping stress to a minimum will maximise your chances of conception. Take a walk, have a glass of wine or run a warm bath – whatever works for you to unwind and relax.

In addition, if conception is not happening as quickly as you’d like do your best to keep as stress free as possible. This is not going to magically make you conceive but stress does no good for anyone so try as hard as you can to minimise it.

5. Have sex!

Natural conception just cannot happen without sex. It is the essential part of conception. So have it, enjoy it and with any luck once you time it right you will hear the pitter patter of tiny feet before you know it.

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