20 strategies for getting pregnant (Part 1)
January 27, 2009 by Cindy Ferda
For the latest pregnancy, health and conception tips visit Cindy Ferda’s National Examiner column here.
Each year, millions of women delve into the world of baby-making to begin their journey of fulfilling their dreams of having a family. 
Today, with more women in the workforce than ever before, women are waiting longer to begin their families, thus it is becoming increasingly difficult for some women to conceive due to their advanced age.
Altering ones course of action with a few new dietary and supplemental choices, exercising regularly or even changing intercourse positions may help lead you directly to the nursery.
Compiled from medical professionals and women who have conceived, the following 20 tips for getting pregnant have worked for women across the globe.
1. Water. Couples must drink plenty of water. Studies suggest proper hydration aids in fertility and conception as well as overall health. Without optimal hydration, the male sperm count and quality may be adversely affected and a woman’s cervical mucus may become more hostile to sperm.
2. Moderate and regular exercise. Studies indicate maintaining a proportionate weight to your height aids in upping your conception chances. Always check with a licensed medical professional regarding pregnancy and exercise.
3. Folic Acid. A woman should prepare the body ahead of time by taking a pre-natal vitamin with 800 mcg’s of folic acid well in advance. Some fertility specialists and reproductive endocrinologists suggest a program of at least double for a certain period of time depending on individual circumstances. Ask your doctor if you are a candidate for a higher level of folic acid.
4. Folic acid and zinc sulfate. Studies show a 74% increase in sperm and sperm motility for some men when they incorporate 5mg of folic acid and 66mg of zinc sulfate a day for 26 weeks into their diet. Check with a medical professional before beginning this regime. Taking a regular multi-vitamin daily will aid in proper male nutrition. This again may lead to better sperm.
5. Diet. Both men and women must eat a well-balanced, nutritional diet, rich in B vitamins, iron, calcium and folic acid. The Fertility Diet by Jorge Chavarro, M.D., Walter C. Willett, M.D., and Patrick J. Skerrett offers up some delicious healthy choices including ice cream but warns against trans fats. Some fertility experts, like celebrity Jennifer Lopez’ doc advise eating spinach 3 times a day will boost conception and pregnancy rates.
6. Caffeine. Remove caffeine from your diet even before you are pregnant. Unfortunately this includes chocolate. Some studies indicate an intake of more than 300 mg of caffeine per day can seriously impact fertility as well as hamper the ability of the body to absorb calcium and iron.
7. Alcohol. Stop alcohol consumption. According to a report from the Mayo Clinic, alcohol is one of the few causes of mental retardation that is preventable by stopping consumption ahead of time.
8. Smoking. Stop smoking. According to the surgeon general, smoking tobacco products may lead to birth defects and/or low birth weight. A study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center states marijuana use may increase the risk of ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages. Additionally, sperm may be altered by tobacco and marijuana as well.
9. Appetite suppressants. Just say no. A study from the State University of New York warn weight-loss drugs currently being used need more careful evaluation the their effects on pregnant women and those attempting to conceive.
10. Switch to a water-based lubricant. Oil-based personal lubricants may hinder sperm.
Love (and agree with) #15 – don’t make it into a science project! Hard to stick to that though when you’ve been trying for a long time (we’ve been trying 2 years and it’s all about testing and timing now … not very romantic).
I think these are all great and helpful hints!
me and my husband been trying for almost 6 years now . it is getting on my last nerve
been trying for 8 years now and theres cerainly nothing wrong with hubbys “little swimmers” hes allready got 2 kids
really really at the end of my tether!!
Hubby & i been trying for 2years after vasectomy reversal.we’re thinking about doing icsi as he’s got frozen sperm. But at 6grand for a 29% chance we live in hope!!!x
I find these tips usefull to a great extent.hubby nd i ‘ve been tryin to get pregnant for the past 4 months but no show yet.i actually know when i ovulate but i hardly see the clear slippery discharge that accompany ovulation.i want to know if its(the discharge) very necessary for conception to occur.
Zainab,
Try using an ovulation predictor kit and make a committment to having intercourse every day during your fertile week. These kits are usually very accurate. I know of a few close friends who recently got pregnant by using these devices. Also, be sure to take your prenatal vitamin every single day with at least 800mcg of folic acid.
After sexual intercourse, relax for at least 15 minutes with your pelvic area elevated.
Look into a zinc supplement for your hubby. Try adding fresh spinach to both of your diets.
Best of luck and please keep me posted on your success story.
Charlie Saralucy and Amy,
I have read about two treatment centers outside the U.S. that offer IVF treatments for more than half the cost of U.S. pricing. Prices range from about $3400-$8000.
The first one is in the Czech Republic
http://www.myivfalternative.com/ivf-treatment-cost
and the second one I read about in the recent edition of Conceive Magazine. This one is in Japan and uses no drug stimulants before retrieval. They claim to be the busiest and most successful IVF center in the world. Good luck. Keep us posted on yur success stories.
thanks for the information,we have been trying to get pregnancy for more than 8 years now .We have use many methods tru a gynycology but no solution yet, what the doctor say is that the sperm is not going tru,and there is the need to do an operatn,so that the sperm can go tru.
we have been trying to get pregnance for more than 8 years now pls hep,the gyncologist discovered that the sperm did not get to appropriate place.