Trying to Get Pregnant? Here Are Our Top 10 Tips for You

We know the challenges of infertility. We know that so many of our patients hopefully take a pregnancy test only to be met with disappointment, creating a flood of difficult emotions. 

But we’ve also seen many of these same patients welcome their small miracles into the world.

Trying to get pregnant isn’t always easy. To complicate matters further, the internet has a wealth of information—and some of it is unreliable at best.  That’s why we want to be sure you have all the information needed so you can have your best possible chance at conception. 

Our commitment to our patients’ health has earned us recognition as the best OBGYN practice in the Triangle, Orange, and Durham counties, for five years in a row. If you’re interested in getting pregnant, struggling with fertility issues, or are even ready for your annual wellness exam, we invite you to contact us to make an appointment.

There’s more to getting pregnant than mere timing, and we are dedicated to helping you on this journey, which is why we’re providing these crucial tips that can help you start on the road to parenthood.

Our Top 10 Conception Tips If You’re Trying to Get Pregnant

1. Understand the Best Time for Trying to Get Pregnant

We realize that the menstrual cycle may vary from woman to woman, but it’s typically around 28 days. Ovulation usually occurs around 14 days before the start of your next period. 

We recommend using methods such as fertility apps or ovulation predictors to help determine your most fertile days. 

Irregular periods can make tracking your cycle difficult. Your period tells us a lot about your gynecological health, and that’s why we want you to speak with us if you’re having periods that are:

• Exceedingly painful
• Lasting longer than usual
• Extremely heavy
• Showing a gray discharge (this could be a sign of infection)

2. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Even something as simple as managing stress and exercising regularly can help increase your chances of success when you’re trying to get pregnant. This is one of the most important suggestions we give to our clients. 

Our tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle include:

• Avoiding smoking
• Avoiding alcohol
• Reducing stress
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating foods that are high in:
  • Iron
  • Calcium
  • Omega-3 fatty acids

During this time, you should also be getting plenty of folic acid–we recommend taking 400 micrograms every day. 

Did you know that stress can also have an effect on trying to get pregnant?

Studies show that excessive stress can make it more difficult to conceive. In fact, women who regularly experience high levels of depression and anxiety are twice as likely to face fertility challenges. 

Therefore, if you’re prone to stress, we encourage you to try:

• Yoga
• Mindfulness meditation
• Breathing exercises

If your anxiety is so intense that it’s making it challenging to cope with everyday life, we encourage you to speak to a licensed counselor. 

3. Understand Cervical Mucus and Your Basal Body Temperature

Your cervical mucus changes texture and appearance throughout your cycle. When you are ovulating, it is clear and “stretchy.” Your Basal Body Temperature (BBT) is your temperature when your body is fully at rest. Ovulation causes a slight rise in your BBT.

By recording your cervical mucus changes and your BBT, you can track your ovulation cycle, helping determine when it is most likely for you to get pregnant. 

4. Be Proactive in Your Healthcare

Planning to get pregnant? We highly recommend scheduling an appointment for a preconception checkup. Why is this important?

Preconception planning helps us identify any problems or issues that could have an impact on your fertility. It’s also a good time for us to review your current medications and conduct any health assessments. We may ask you about your family medical history, and in certain cases, may recommend genetic screening.

5. Optimize Your Sexual Activity

Yes, it seems obvious, but you should coordinate intercourse during your most fertile days. We recommend having sex every two to three days during the fertile window to have your best chances of getting pregnant. 

But does your sexual position help you get pregnant? Should you avoid being on top?

Actually, there’s not a lot of definite research on whether or not your sexual position can help you get pregnant. However, we do suggest positions that allow deeper penetration. 

Don’t be embarrassed to talk to us about your sex life. It is a healthy and vital part of who you are. If you are having pain during intercourse or other sexual issues, we encourage you to schedule an appointment. 

6. Communicate With Your Partner

You and your partner are a team. Trying to get pregnant can be challenging and exhausting. That’s why open and honest communication is vital as you go through this journey together. Support groups and even counseling can help you encourage each other during this time. 

We also want you to see us as a valuable resource. We have worked with hundreds of couples in Chapel Hill and Durham, and each situation is unique and deserves a personalized approach. If you need information on support groups or counseling, just ask us and we can point you in the right direction. 

7.  Take Certain Supplements

Supplements, especially those like folic acid, zinc, and vitamin D can be beneficial if you want to conceive. We’ll be happy to work with you to be sure you’re taking the supplements that will safely give you every possible advantage to conceive a healthy baby. 

8. Discuss Any Alternative Therapies With Us First

Some women have found therapies such as acupuncture useful for relieving and managing stress. In turn, this can aid their well-being and can have an indirect, yet positive impact on fertility. 

We encourage you to discuss any additional therapies with us so we can help ensure your health and safety. This is particularly important if you’re considering herbal supplements. Some of these can interact with medications and may not be a healthy choice for those who want to conceive.

9. Exercise Regularly

We touched on this a bit earlier. We’re big proponents of exercise—not only is it wonderful for your overall wellness, but it goes a long way towards relieving stress.

However, there are some precautions you should consider.

While moderate exercise can boost your fertility, high-intensity or vigorous exercise — such as CrossFit—can actually hurt your chances of getting pregnant. 

10. Consult a Fertility Specialist If Needed

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a year, it’s time to see one of our fertility specialists. If you’re over 35 and you’ve been following the tips above, we recommend you schedule an appointment if you’ve been trying unsuccessfully for six months.

When Is the Best Time to Try to Get Pregnant?

As we mentioned earlier, your chances are best in the “fertile window” of your menstrual cycle when you’re ovulating. That’s normally about 12 to 16 days before the start of your next period. 

However, if you have irregular menstrual cycles, we encourage you to schedule an appointment to speak with us so we can check for any potential health issues that may affect your fertility. 

How Can I Increase My Chances of Getting Pregnant?

We recommend following our tips above in addition to speaking with us so we can take a proactive approach to ensure the health of you and your baby.

Some additional ways you can increase your chances of conception include: 

• Tracking ovulation
• Eating healthy food
• Taking care of your health
• Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, or harmful substances
• Having sex regularly, especially during the fertile window

What To Avoid When Trying to Get Pregnant

Some actions can hurt your ability to get pregnant. These include:

• Smoking
• Recreational drug use
• Excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol

Ready to Start or Expand Your Family? Chapel Hill OBGYN Will Be With You Every Step of the Way

While following the tips listed above can help you if you’re trying to get pregnant, we realize it doesn’t always happen quickly. If you’re struggling to get pregnant, you’re not alone. We want you to understand that we have the resources to support you both physically and emotionally on the journey to conception.

We’ve spent decades dedicating ourselves to serving residents as the leading OBGYN in Chapel Hill and Durham. We’ve been ranked the top OBGYN practice in the Triangle for five consecutive years by INDY! Magazine’s “Best of the Triangle” edition.

We invite you to see what makes our practice so special. We would consider it a privilege to be a part of your healthcare family. Contact us for an appointment.