Trying to Get Pregnant – 3 Questions to Ask

The decision to have a child is a big step for a couple. Once the decision to try and get pregnant is made, they hope to get a positive pregnancy test immediately. If a few months go by without a positive pregnancy test, many couples grow anxious and start wondering what is wrong.

Trying to Get Pregnant? Why Are We Not Conceiving??

Are You Ovulating Regularly?

• It is not uncommon for women to have an irregular ovulation pattern. The only way to know if you are ovulating regularly or not is to monitor for signs and symptoms that occur with the process of releasing an egg.
• Test your temperature every morning. This is called basal body temperature. Women will have a spike in their temperature right after ovulation. Looking at these charts can help a woman pinpoint her ovulation time.
• Record your cervical mucous every day. Women know that their vaginal discharge changes throughout the month, but when this discharge is stretchy and clear, like egg whites, you are getting ready to ovulate.
• And the last sure fire test for ovulation is an ovulation test kit. These tests, which are a stick that you urinate on every morning, detect a hormone called LH that is highest in the body right before ovulation.

Too Much of Good Thing?

• Less can be more when you are trying to make a baby. Having intercourse every other day around the time you will ovulate will optimize your chances of getting pregnant and not deplete his sperm count too much.
• Sperm live approximately 72 hours and eggs live about 24 hours. Intercourse every other day allows your body to have a constant supply of living sperm whenever your ovulation occurs.

Are Your Bodies Ready to Conceive?

• Both of you should be as healthy as possible when trying to conceive. Regular exercise, a diet rich in nutritious foods and avoiding toxins like cigarettes, recreational drugs and alcohol are good steps in the right direction.
• Healthy supplementation.  Supplements like a prenatal vitamin with L-methyl folate, vitamin D3, liposomal vitamin C, and a high-quality probiotic, can provide your body with a good foundation for pregnancy.
• Have a preconception visit with your Healthcare Provider.  The visit will serve to investigate other issues that may be affecting your ability to conceive.

Don’t Stress -Enjoy This Time

Enjoy this time of trying to get pregnant! Likely, there is nothing wrong. Instead of worrying, use this time to become more mentally and physically ready to be parents.

Call The Midwives of New Jersey today to schedule a preconception visit with Veronica, our Nurse Practitioner, or one of the Midwives!