What to Do If Trying to Become Pregnant

Starting a family is nothing to take lightly. Parenting requires tremendous patience, exceptional fortitude, and a never ending supply of love and compassion. If you and your partner have recently decided to take the first steps toward starting a family, the time to take things seriously has already started.

While the human population proves that becoming pregnant is not uncommon, many women - especially those over the age of 35 - experience difficulties in trying to conceive. If you've been trying to become pregnant for longer than a month without success, it's time to take additional measures. The following are six steps to consider:

Take a fertility test

Ovarian function is regulated by five essential hormones. If your body lacks the necessary levels of any one of these hormones, it will be extremely difficult to become pregnant. With this in mind, consider taking a fertility test for women to determine your hormone levels. If the test indicates a hormonal imbalance, your doctor will be able to prescribe medication aimed at regulating your hormones. Fertility testing is crucial for those concerned about their ability to become pregnant. Even if the test determines there is no imbalance, that information allows you to focus on other ways to increase the chances of conception.

Stock up on ovulation tests

There is a limited window of time for a woman to become pregnant. Known as ovulation, it lasts 12-24 hours one time each month. That's the target you're aiming for, but how do you know where it is? Counting the days from your last menstrual cycle is one way, but you could also take tests that alert you when your ovary is about to release an egg. With this in mind, consider stocking up on ovulation tests in order to have a more accurate gauge of when you are ovulating.

Do it early and often

Everyone reading this already knows about the birds and the bees. But did you know couples trying to conceive are encouraged to get busy in the morning? That's because sperm count and sperm quality will be at their peak immediately after sleep. But generally speaking, the more active your sex life is, the more likely you'll become pregnant. So do it early and do it often!

Avoid alcohol

It's generally understood that pregnant women should avoid alcohol. But the truth is women trying to become pregnant should give up drinking too. For one thing, it could be a week or more after conception before you discover you are pregnant. Alcohol consumption also leads to hormonal imbalances, making it difficult to become pregnant. With this in mind, those trying to conceive should stop drinking the day before going forward with plans to become pregnant.

Stop smoking

According to the United States Food & Drug Administration, smoking reduces fertility, impairs hormone production, harms the productive system, and damages sperm. What's more, quitting smoking is very difficult, so you'll want to stop before becoming pregnant rather than wait until you are already expecting. That way, your pregnancy is as healthy as possible and your baby is too.

Skip strenuous exercise

It sounds counterintuitive, but experts recommend women cut back on strenuous exercise when trying to become pregnant. The key thing to remember is that you should still be exercising, but with moderate activities like walking and swimming instead of running or fast bicycling. That's because, while exercise burns fat and builds muscle, intense exercise drains our short-term energy levels. The body will focus on revitalizing itself, diverting energy otherwise spent on ovulation and pregnancy.

With billions of people walking around, it's obvious there's no magic secret to becoming pregnant. With that said, some people have a harder time than others. If you and your partner have been trying to become pregnant for longer than a month with no success, it might be time to take action in the form of better health and increased monitoring. Doing so will increase the odds of conception, putting you on the path to parenthood.

Julie Steinbeck is a freelance writer from Florida. She enjoys covering topics related to business, family, and travel.