![Steps such as a preconception checkup, avoiding alcohol and other substances (both men and women), and figuring out your ovulation schedule are all steps to help increase the chances of getting pregnant.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/how-soon-will-a-pregnancy-test-read-positive.jpg?output-quality=75)
There are some steps you can take to help increase the chances of getting pregnant.
- Schedule a preconception checkup
- Learn if you need prenatal vitamins such as folic acid, which can reduce the risk of some birth defects
- Make sure any underlying medical conditions are managed
Determine when you ovulate
Ovulation is when an egg is released from the ovary when a woman is most fertile
There are a few methods to figure out when ovulation occurs:
- Ovulation calendars
- Period tracking apps
- Ovulation prediction kits
- Observing cervical fluid/mucus
- Taking daily basal body temperature
Tracking periods
Have sex during your most fertile period:
- Two to three days before ovulation through the day you ovulate is the best time
- Ovulation usually occurs between Day 11 – Day 21 of the menstrual cycle, counting from the first day of the last period
- Ovulation usually lasts one day, can happen any time during this window, and it’s not always the same each month.
- Women who have shorter menstrual cycles tend to be more likely to ovulate closer to day 11 and women with longer menstrual cycles may ovulate occur closer to day 21
- For those who are not sure when they ovulate, try to have sex every other day during the middle two weeks of the menstrual cycle (every other day is actually no worse than every day, as sperm can live up to 5 days inside the body)
- Stay in bed about 10 to 15 minutes following intercourse (but you don’t need to have your feet in the air)
Make healthy lifestyle changes
- Don’t smoke or drink
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Do moderate exercise regularly
- Too much exercise or exercise that is too vigorous may inhibit ovulation
- Practice stress reduction: deep breathing, meditation, yoga
Tips for men
- Don’t smoke
- Limit alcohol to two drinks per day or less
- Lose weight if overweight
- Get adequate amounts of zinc, folic acid, and vitamin C, which help with sperm production
- Eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, and manage stress
- Avoid tight-fitting clothing or spending time in a hot tub, because this can affect sperm count
- Keep cell phones out of the pockets and away from the testicles because it may affect sperm quality
- Avoid soy foods such as edamame
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