Getting Ready for What most couples don’t realize when considering a baby is that it involves a lot of thought and planning. It’s not enough to be mentally ready – you have to be physically ready (fit), and healthy. This gives you a head start to having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
How to get Pregnant As many of you know, conception is not as easy as it seems. While a few get lucky and conceive quickly, for others it can take longer than anticipated - sometimes years. By making a few healthy choices and lifestyle compromises you can increase your odds of getting pregnant. From eating the right foods, to losing weight and cutting down on caffeine and alcohol, you can make a direct impact on your ability to conceive. If getting pregnant is high on your priority list, here is what you can do to increase your chances:
Eat Healthy There is nothing like a well-balanced diet to trigger your baby making process. Make sure to get ample doses of protein, zinc, iron, and Vitamin C to enhance your chances of conception.
Say no to Smoking Smoking affects fertility and also damages the ovaries. If you are considering pregnancy there is no better time to kick the habit!
Pregnancy
Avoid Stress High stress levels can wreak havoc on your hormonal system, thereby affecting ovulation and conception.
Fitness Matters Exercise regularly. Walk, swim, cycle, or hike. Anything that gets you up and moving will do the trick. Being underweight or overweight can make conception harder and affect your baby’s health.
Keep Away from Alcohol An occasional drink may not majorly impact fertility, but research has shown that alcohol impairs fertility and harms the developing fetus.
Frequency Have frequent sex to increase your chances of conception. Most fertility experts feel that infrequent sex at the best time of the cycle is one of the most common causes of infertility.
Get to Know your Ovulation Cycle Timing sex during ovulation is a great way to speed up your chances of getting pregnant. If you have a regular 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation is most likely to occur mid-cycle around day 14.
How do you know you’re ovulating? Clear indications are: • Your cervical mucus becomes clear and slippery toward your ovulation date. • There is a slight rise in body temperature after you have ovulated.
The Signs of Pregnancy
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One of the early positive signs of pregnancy is missing your period. This may differ from person to person. Here are more symptoms that could confirm your pregnancy: • Food Aversions • Frequent Urination • Mood Swings • Fatigue • High Basal Body Temperature • Tender, Swollen Breasts • Darkened Areola • Food Cravings • Morning Sickness • Positive Home Pregnancy Test