For couples trying to conceive, there’s nothing better than a little help from nature to make conception easier. Tricks to get pregnant can be helpful and even help the woman or couple feel more at ease. Some popular tricks are just superstition, but many have a strong scientific basis! Let’s look at some tips:
Step 1: Have intercourse on fertile days
Knowing when you are ovulating is fundamental for fertilization to occur1. Some lucky women may get pregnant without knowing if they’re in their fertile days. However, most women trying to conceive need to identify their ovulation period to reduce the chances of missing the window in their cycle when pregnancy can happen. To detect ovulation, we have some simple methods, such as:
Ovulation tests: Strips similar to pregnancy tests that detect the LH surge (the hormone responsible for releasing the egg). When the test is positive, meaning the test line is darker or the same color as the control line, the woman will probably ovulate within 12 to 48 hours. Famivita ovulation tests have super clear lines and are easy to use and read. You can purchase your Famivita ovulation test here in our online store.
Billings Method: Monitors cervical mucus throughout the cycle. With this method, you can notice changes in the cervical mucus and it is an excellent trick to get pregnant. The more elastic and slippery the mucus, the more fertile the woman is. You can also notice when ovulation has already passed: white sticky mucus starts the day after the fertile period ends. This method is part of what are called fertility awareness methods and is best for women with irregular cycles.
Fertile Period Calculator: For women with regular cycles, the fertile period calculator is a great ally for finding out the fertile days. It works like a calendar, indicating the likely most fertile days of the female cycle.
Basal Temperature: The habit of tracking your temperature first thing in the morning after six hours of continuous sleep helps you notice your cycle through body temperature changes. The increase in progesterone after ovulation causes a unique temperature pattern for each woman. Many women notice a slight temperature rise right before ovulation. On the other hand, a sharp increase of 0.3 degrees or more that stays high means ovulation has occurred. The downside to this method is that it requires a lot of discipline. To detect the fertile window accurately, the woman must take her basal temperature from the first day of the cycle (the first day of her period) and always at the same time.
Step 2: Alternate the days you have intercourse
Sex is essential for getting pregnant (of course), but the way sexual relations are spaced can also help make pregnancy easier. An important and often overlooked fact about getting pregnant: having sex every other day during the fertile period is enough. Why? Because having sex every day, or every other day, does not affect sperm concentration. If it’s good for the couple, you can have sex every day. However, alternating days and having intercourse every other day is enough, since the egg survives for 24 hours in the woman’s body.
Step 3: Legs up!
This is another tip that is part myth, part truth. Many trying to conceive have heard the recommendation to stay with their legs up for an hour after intercourse. Again, the answer depends on the man. In most cases, being inside the woman’s body is enough for the sperm to find their way. However, some men have “lazy” sperm and may not realize it. In these cases, gravity can help, but staying lying down for about 10 minutes after intercourse is enough. To make even better use of gravity, try having sex with the man on top.
Step 4: Take care of your mucus
Did you know that cervical mucus is the best friend of sperm? The mucus helps sperm on their journey to the egg, and also provides them with nutrients along the way. So, a big trick to getting pregnant is to take care of your mucus even before entering your fertile period. How? Mucus is tied to the hormones of the fertile window, so getting some tests to check if your estrogen levels are okay is the first step.
The second step is to drink plenty of water to help produce egg-white cervical mucus. There are also natural tricks to increase mucus production, such as yam. Yam tea hydrates the body and helps regulate estrogen levels.
Getting a preventive cytology exam is very important, because a vaginal infection can affect cervical mucus and make it hostile2. Healthy mucus creates the ideal environment for sperm to survive for up to 72 hours.
If you have trouble identifying your mucus or suffer from its absence, you can use fertility-friendly lubricants, such as FamiGel. Regular lubricants can harm sperm. Fertility lubricants act like fertile mucus, nourishing and helping sperm swim. You can purchase your FamiGel here in our online store.
Step 5: Eat properly and quit bad habits
Eating well and taking care of your body contributes to fertility far beyond just improving cervical mucus. Getting the right vitamins helps balance the body’s hormones, including during the fertile period. Try to make your plate colorful and complete to make sure all vitamins are included.
It is also recommended to supplement with folic acid3. Not only does it help with egg health, it’s essential for proper development of the baby in the first weeks.
You should also quit smoking, drinking alcohol, and drugs (legal or illegal), since all of these can negatively affect fertility.
Tricks for getting pregnant: Male fertility
Caring for men may be simpler, but it’s still necessary!
Sperm are very sensitive to temperature, and that’s why the testicles are outside the body. So, it’s best to avoid tight underwear and long, hot baths.
It’s also a good idea to avoid very tight jeans, as well as denim pants in the summer. Go for lighter fabrics, and try wearing boxers or sleeping without underwear.
Some specific cases can only be identified with tests, both blood tests and semen analysis. For couples trying for over a year with no results, it’s recommended that both get tested, preferably at the same time, to identify the problem and see if treatment is needed.
If a problem is identified, the doctor will prescribe the ideal treatment. But taking special vitamins for men, eating well, and avoiding harmful substances like alcohol and drugs also helps a lot!
The biggest secret of all is to make love with affection and pleasure. Have an active sex life with intensity during your fertile period, but without stress!
