Trying to conceive: Tips on how to increase chances of getting pregnant
Pregnancy occurs when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg, which then evolves into a pregnancy. The best time to try and conceive is during the woman's ovulation. Approximately 85% of couples who have intercourse regularly without protection end up conceiving within a year or two. However, some need a bit of help on their journey towards parenthood. Luckily there are many things you can do, which we will take you through step-by-step.
There are a lot of things that influence your fertility and, in the end, your chances of getting pregnant. In the following text, you read what to do to improve your fertility when trying to conceive and what to avoid.
Things that can help to increase your chances of getting pregnant
- Regularly intercourse: Have intercourse 2-3 times a week to increase your odds.
- Monitor your ovulation: Intercourse during ovulation helps to increase the chances of getting pregnant.
- Maintain a balanced diet: Include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
- Stay hydrated: Proper hydration is key for reproductive health.
- Take supplements: Folic acid and vitamin D are particularly beneficial.
- Monitor weight and exercise regularly: Aim for a BMI within the 19-25 range combined with regular exercise.
- Keep stress levels low: Engage in relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.
- Understand your fertility: The female reproductive system is complex and you may find it helpful to understand how it works.
- Quality sleep: Ensure sufficient and restful sleep.
- Try out alternative treatment: Acupuncture can serve as a good supplement to fertility treatment
Things that harm your fertility and may reduce your chances of getting pregnant
- Limit alcohol and caffeine: High consumption can impair fertility.
- Avoid smoking and tobacco: These can negatively affect egg quality and overall reproductive health.
- Steer clear of processed foods: High in sugar and unhealthy fats, these can disrupt hormonal balance.
When to see a doctor
- If you have been trying for more than a year: Consult a doctor if you have been actively trying to conceive for a year without success.
- If you have known health issues: Pre-existing medical conditions can affect fertility.
In the following section, we will take you through each of the points followed by some alternative solutions to conceiving through regular sexual intercourse.
Statistics on getting pregnant
For couples who are actively trying to conceive, it is important to understand that the chance of pregnancy can vary from month to month. Research has shown that the typical range of chance for conception is between 15% to 25% per month, depending on various factors. However, the good news is that the majority of couples (80%) are successful in conceiving within the first year of trying.
It is essential to note that several factors can influence the likelihood of conception. These factors include the overall health of the individuals, age, fertility of both partners and the timing of sexual intercourse during the menstrual cycle. If you have any questions regarding getting pregnant with donor sperm, feel free to contact our Customer Care Consultants.
Things that can help to increase your chances of getting pregnant
1. Regular intercourse
To improve the chances of conceiving, it is recommended to have regular unprotected sexual intercourse. The ideal frequency is every 2 to 3 days, especially around the time of ovulation, as it helps to increase the chances of a sperm cell being present in the ovaries during ovulation.
2. Monitor your ovulation to increase your chances of getting pregnant
During each menstrual cycle, there is a period, also called the fertile window, where the woman can become pregnant. The window occurs approximately 14 days after the first date of the last menstrual period. Therefore, it is important to monitor your ovulation, to provide yourself with an overview of the best times to have intercourse with your partner and thereby improve your chances of conceiving.
Today, there are plenty of apps available to register periods and times of ovulation. Here below you can see our webinar about fertility and how to improve it. In the webinar, the fertility doctor, Saghar Kasiri, explains how fertility works and how to improve it.
3. Maintain a healthy diet
If you want to increase your chances of getting pregnant, a healthy diet is one of the most important tips we can give. A healthy diet supplies you with the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Among other things, we use nutrients to form cells, and our hormones are sensitive to fluctuations in blood sugar. Sugar and refined carbohydrates increase your blood sugar, which can influence your hormone system.
A diet favouring the long-chain omega-3 fatty acid from fish appears to have a positive effect on fertility. Other types of foods, that are said to help improve your fertility are:
- Poultry
- Whole grain food
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Nuts
- Kernels
- Avocado
Source: National Library of Medicine
4. Stay hydrated and increase your chances
Staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining good health, and it is also important for couples who are trying to conceive. Proper hydration contributes to the regulation of hormones, thus helping to increase the chances of getting pregnant by supporting overall reproductive health and optimizing the conditions for conception.
Struggling to get pregnant?
If you have had unsuccessful fertility treatment using your own sperm, it may be worth considering other options like using a sperm donor. Contact us to learn more about the process and how to get started.
5. Supplements to your diet are an important tip when trying to conceive
Supplements to your diet are an important tip when trying to increase your fertility. One of the most important supplements you can focus on is folic acid. Folic acid is a vitamin B that helps the body make new healthy cells, and if you want to improve your chances of conceiving, it is recommended you start taking the supplement as soon as you are trying to conceive. Studies have proven that folic acid can increase fertility, and if you become pregnant, it will help your baby’s brain and spine to develop.
Another vitamin you can use as a supplement is vitamin D. Vitamin D is also important to remember, as many couples struggling with infertility have low vitamin D levels. Studies show that vitamin D has a positive impact on improving fertility in both men and women.
6. Focus on your BMI to increase your fertility in your 30’s
Being either overweight or underweight can harm your chances of getting pregnant. Being overweight can cause difficulties in becoming pregnant as the larger amount of fat can affect the hormone system. The optimal BMI is between 19-25.
If your BMI is more than 30, your chances of becoming pregnant are remarkably reduced and the chances of getting preeclampsia, bleeding and diabetes during the pregnancy are increased. If you are about to enter fertility treatment (ICI, IUI, IVF, or ICSI) it is recommended to have a BMI below 30, as a higher BMI can affect the treatment negatively.
Moderate exercise and a healthy lifestyle can help improve your menstrual cycle and health and increase your fertility and chances of becoming pregnant. However, too much exercise is not healthy either since it can cause irregularities in your period.
7. Keep stress levels low
Trying to conceive can be a challenging and emotional experience, and managing stress can help increase your chances of conception. It is recommended to keep stress levels as low as possible to promote a healthy mind and body. One effective way to manage stress is through relaxation techniques such as meditation or engaging in activities that can distract your mind. These activities may include exercise, reading, spending time in nature, or spending time with loved ones.
8. Understand your fertility
The likelihood of conception is highest during ovulation, typically around 14 days after the start of the last menstrual period. Regularly tracking ovulation can significantly enhance your chances of success. Follow the link to learn more about your ovulation.
9. A good night's sleep
Some studies suggest that stress can affect your menstrual cycle and thereby your fertility. Struggling to conceive can feel stressful, especially during fertility treatment. An important part of limiting your stress is a good night’s sleep.
Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day or remove any electronic devices from your bedroom to help you improve your sleep. By reducing stress and increasing your sleep quality, you might be able to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
10. Alternative treatments
There are many different types of alternative treatments to try. Acupuncture can be a good supplement to fertility treatment. However, there is no evidence supporting a link between acupuncture and high fertility, but there is no harm in trying, as acupuncture can help regulate your hormone system, immune system, and nerve system.
Things that harm your fertility and may reduce your chances of getting pregnant
Avoid alcohol and too much caffeine
Too much alcohol and caffeine can harm your ability to get pregnant. Therefore, when trying to conceive, you should try to avoid alcohol and lower your intake of caffeine to less than 5 cups of coffee a day. By avoiding alcohol and caffeine you can increase your fertility and your chances of becoming pregnant. Remember that tea and soft drinks also contain caffeine.
Do not smoke cigarettes or use tobacco products
Studies have shown that smoking can damage the female reproductive system, as it may harm the egg quantity and quality, as well as the reproductive organs. Smoking has also been linked to an increased risk of infertility, miscarriage, and premature birth. Therefore, we highly recommend you stay away from cigarettes and tobacco products if you are trying to conceive. Normally, menopause happens in your 40s or 50s, but women who smoke reach menopause earlier than the average woman.
Lower your consumption of processed foods
Processed foods, often high in sugars and unhealthy fats, can harm your fertility. These types of foods typically lack the essential nutrients necessary for hormonal balance and reproductive health. Furthermore, processed foods often contain trans fats, which have been linked to an increased risk of ovulatory infertility.
When to see a doctor
We understand that trying to conceive can feel challenging, and we hope that the tips provided can help improve your chances of success. However, it is important to remember that every couple's experience is unique. Regardless of age, if you have been actively trying to conceive for a year or more, or if you suspect any serious problem regarding your reproductive system, we recommend you make an appointment with a medical professional or fertility expert.
If you have tried to become pregnant, but have not succeeded and need donor sperm or donor eggs, then contact our Customer Care to receive answers to any questions you might have. If you are interested in seeing the donors available, then follow the link to see our free Sperm Donor Search.
Facts about the female reproductive system
Women are born with around 1 - 2 million follicles (premature eggs) and, unlike sperm cells, no new follicles are produced during a lifetime. During every ovulation, one or more follicles are released from the ovary. Out of these, some go to waste while others develop into eggs. Since no new follicles are developed, the number of eggs will slowly decline, which means a woman’s chances of conceiving naturally decrease the older she gets.
Studies show that your chances of conceiving naturally start to decrease rapidly when you enter your 30s. That is why it is a good idea to focus on increasing your chances of getting pregnant if you plan to conceive during your 30s. The difference between trying to conceive in your 20s and 30s will often show in the time it takes from the first try to actual conception. The decline in fertility that is to be expected in your 30s will make it more complicated, but not impossible, to conceive, and by focusing on increasing your chances of getting pregnant, you may shorten the time from start to successful pregnancy.
Alternatives to conceiving through intercourse
When trying to conceive you have a wide range of options depending on your sexuality and relationship status. Here below, we describe the different options available.
Fertility treatment
Many heterosexual couples that experience infertility proceed to fertility treatment. The treatment type depends on the man's sperm quality. Couples, where the man struggles with low sperm count, will often be recommended to start with IVF or ICSI, as these treatment types are more effective than others. If you are experiencing infertility, we recommend consulting a doctor before proceeding to the next step.
Insemination with donor sperm
In rare cases, a man cannot produce healthy sperm, leaving insemination with donor sperm as the only option left. Unlike heterosexual couples, single women and lesbian couples often rely on insemination with donor sperm to enter parenthood. A sperm donor is their only option to have a child with a genetic relation. Read more about the three most popular treatment types with donor sperm for single women and lesbian couples here below: