Overview
Every couple dreams of enjoying parenthood and starting a family after marriage. Some couples face challenges in conceiving early after marriage. Several factors influence fertility in both men and women. It is essential to understand the body, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and consult a doctor when necessary to achieve natural conception. This article will help you learn about the best ways to conceive naturally, make lifestyle changes, and when to consult with a doctor.
What is conception?
Couples must understand how conception occurs. It is a process during which a sperm fertilises an egg released from a woman’s ovary during ovulation. Conception occurs only if a woman releases healthy eggs, and sperm are healthy and actively motile. The uterine lining must be healthy to support implantation of the fertilised product. If any one of these factors is disrupted, conception may not take place. Therefore, couples should maintain a healthy reproductive system to conceive early and naturally.
Track your ovulation
Timing is essential to conceive naturally. Women must understand their ovulation period and track ovulation to conceive. The best time to conceive is 5 days before ovulation. Ovulation starts 14 days before the next menstrual cycle. It occurs on the 14th day if your cycle is 28 days long. A woman experiences a slight increase in basal body temperature when ovulation starts. You can also check the ovulation period at home using an ovulation predictor kit. Having intercourse every other day once ovulation starts enhances the chances of conception, provided healthy sperm are available.
Tips to increase fertility
A few tips are given here to increase fertility in men and women:
- Drink plenty of water when trying to conceive. It helps to remove toxins from the body and enhance cervical fluid and sperm quality.
- Regular exercise is essential. It improves reproductive health in men and women. Exercise not only improves egg and sperm quality but also helps women cope with the side effects of pregnancy more efficiently.
- If you are trying to conceive naturally, then men and women should completely restrict alcohol intake to improve egg and sperm quality.
- Smoking also reduces the chances of natural conception. Smoking reduces the quality of eggs and sperm. Therefore, couples should avoid smoking when trying to conceive.
- Avoid caffeine to get pregnant easily. It is believed that caffeine affects the growth of the developing foetus. High intake of caffeine constricts blood vessels and reduces blood circulation to the uterus.
- Couples must screen themselves for sexually transmitted diseases before trying to conceive. Pelvic inflammatory disease is a common problem in women that may affect fertility.
- Stress is a major factor that affects fertility in men and women. Many couples experience stress when they fail to conceive after trying for a few months. Release stress through meditation and yoga, allowing your body to produce essential hormones for natural conception.
- Women can also take supplements to boost fertility. Common supplements include folic acid, vitamin D, and zinc that support the formation of healthy eggs. You can also consult with a doctor to know specific supplements required for boosting fertility in an individualised case.
Dietary tips for couples to boost fertility
Couples trying to conceive naturally must eat a healthy and balanced diet. They must prepare their bodies, and women must have a healthy body for healthy foetal growth. A few dietary tips are given below:
- Eat green leafy vegetables as they are rich in folic acid, which is important for healthy egg development.
- Add cereals, dried fruits, lentils, and citrus fruits to boost your fertility. Soy beans, lentils, and spinach are rich sources of iron.
- Add monounsaturated fat-rich foods, such as almonds, cashews, and peanuts, to provide your body with proper nutrition.
- Add fibre-rich foods such as whole grains to keep your bowels healthy. Fibres help to remove waste from the body, thereby increasing the chances of conception.
- Fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds provide the omega-3 fatty acids required for healthy egg and sperm formation. Asparagus is also healthy, as it is rich in zinc, which is necessary for increasing fertility.
When to consult a doctor?
You must consult with a doctor if you fail to conceive when trying to achieve conception for over a year without success. Women may suffer from endometriosis, PCOS, or blocked fallopian tubes, which may affect fertility. Sometimes, low and poor sperm quality is also responsible for not achieving conception. Therefore, it is best to visit a fertility expert to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusion
Conception cannot be achieved just by a single technique. Both partners must have a healthy body and mind to achieve conception. A healthy lifestyle, diet, and regular exercise play a crucial role in achieving conception. Women must understand their menstrual cycle and the time of ovulation to achieve conception. Living a healthy life without stress is essential for conceiving and producing a healthy baby. If you fail to conceive immediately after marriage, you must wait for a year. You should not lose hope, as you can seek medical guidance from experts at Indira IVF to know the cause of infertility and choose the best fertility treatment to achieve conception and enjoy parenthood.
Common Questions Asked
How does age affect fertility for couples?
Age affects fertility in men and women. Fertility starts decreasing in women after 30 years, and male fertility also reduces with age. Sperm quality declines with increasing age.
How soon can I conceive naturally after marriage?
Healthy couples below 35 years can achieve conception within a year after trying regularly and having unprotected sex. Couples above 35 years should try for 6 six months, and if they fail to achieve success, they must consult with a fertility expert.
Can I make lifestyle changes to achieve successful conception?
Yes, many couples achieve successful conception just by making lifestyle changes. A well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and effective stress management can help enhance the chances of conception.
What are the necessary supplements that help to increase fertility?
Important supplements that can help to increase fertility in men and women include calcium, folic acid, iron, and zinc. Couples can eat a well-balanced and healthy diet to receive proper nutrition and enhance fertility and conception chances.
What should I do if I fail to get pregnant naturally?
If you fail to get pregnant naturally after trying for 12 months without protection, you must consult with a fertility expert. A fertility expert can diagnose the cause and give you the best treatment options.
How does stress prevent conception?
Stress is an important factor that can disrupt fertility in couples. During stress, hormones like cortisol and prolactin are affected. These hormones affect sperm production and ovulation, which prevent conception. Meditation and yoga therapy can help manage stress.
How often can we have intercourse for successful natural conception?
Couples can have intercourse every other day during the ovulation period. It typically starts around the middle of the cycle in most women, assuming their menstrual cycle is 28 days. Ensure you receive healthy sperm to achieve conception.