20 strategies for getting pregnant (Part 1)

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.

Sperm and the zinc-folic factor

If you or anyone you know has been trying to conceive a baby for months or even years without success, it may be time to look into the zinc sulfate and folic acid factor and how it relates to sperm count.

A contributing factor in male infertility could be as simple as low zinc and/or folic acid levels. Folate-rich foods like green leafy vegetables, beans or orange juice will help a man maintain a healthy balanced diet, but remember the body does not make enough zinc or folic acid on its own, so it must be obtained from one’s diet and/or supplements.

Without the proper levels of these trace minerals, the body does not operate at full throttle; including reproductively. In some cases sperm motility is negatively affected as well as the sperm count.

Recent studies indicate zinc supplements along with folic acid may increase sperm count and improve sperm motility in some men.

One published Dutch study claims men who are having difficulty impregnating their partner may increase their sperm count by up to 74% by taking 5mg of folic acid and 66mg of zinc sulfate a day for 26 weeks. It did caution however, that taken alone, there was no significant improvement in sperm count.

Although zinc is an essential mineral required to operate the human body properly, excessive amounts may be harmful, so always consult your physician before beginning any new regimen.

Get Pregnant. Where do you stand statistically?

Recent studies indicate a healthy woman under the age of 35 who has unprotected intercourse on average of twice a week for three months has a 57% chance of conceiving a baby.

Six months of exposure will bring results on average of 72% while one year of baby-making will bring the number to approximately 85% and two years of trying to conceive reaches near 93%. If you are over 35, simply divide the above numbers in half. These are still great numbers!

Let’s talk eggs!

Now, for a bit of information on the life-span of “the egg”–viable and non-viable.

Studies also show a female embryo in the womb of her mother at only 4-5 months has between 6-7 million eggs also called or referred to as “oocytes“, dropping down to 1-2 million by birth. Puberty brings this number down to 300,000 – 500,000.

The menstrual cycle claims several hundred more over the decades of normal periods and by the time a women reaches her mid to late 30′s some studies indicate the number drops to a mere 25,000 eggs remaining in her ovaries.

Once into her 40′s, another study suggests she may have approximately 1.5 % of her original supply remaining. Regardless of which study you choose to agree with, there are usually plenty left after age 35 to consider the odds favorable – possibly between 25,000 and 90,000. Beyond all of this, eggs are also lost through natural cell death, as well.

Throughout the life span of a woman’s eggs the number of genetically viable ones naturally decreases with age and the proper distribution of the genetic contents may be lost or uncertain. Of the genetically abnormal pregnancies, most go on to miscarry in the first or second trimester of pregnancy and of the women who are over 35, there is even a higher risk of miscarriage with normal and/or abnormal pregnancies and several studies suggest women over 40 have a 1 in 3 or 4 chance of miscarriage.

But do not dismay. Many women go on to eventually conceive and deliver healthy babies well into their 40′s.

Seek help. Find additional helpful information and explore adding prenatal supplements to your diet. Always speak to your physician.

There is a plethora of information and ideas, methods and suggestions you may want to ponder and consider utilizing…ovulation predictor kits, ovulation calendars, natural fertility boosters, fertility handbooks, healthy diets chocked-full of greens, pre-natal vitamins months in advance, basal thermometers, best suggested sexual positions to conceive, large quantities of water to keep the body well-hydrated, suggested exercise routines, books on healthy eating, homeopathic remedies, herbal teas, female infertility information, male infertility information, yoga and relaxation techniques, and all the “dos” the “don’ts” and the pitfalls and myths to take in stride all geared to help you get educated, do what is best for you and get pregnant.

And if need be, assisted reproductive technology (or ART) is available across the globe with outstanding results in many categories in this day and age. Much scientific and medical advancement are being developed and cultivated on a regular basis.

Pregnancy after 40

My only child is approaching his 21st Birthday, I’ve been happily married for eight great years and I decide at the ripe age of forty-three; that’s right a 4 and a 3 to embark on the ultimate journey of baby-making once again!

My husband’s AARP application arrived in the mail recently along with his firefighter retirement check – he just turned 50. He barely looks 40. I tell him it’s genetics, he jokes it’s from not having to raise a few kids.

I know how psyched my 20-year-old son is about having a sibling. He has no idea how psyched I am about having a free 20-year-old babysitter!

After years of mulling it over, hours of discussion, passionately over-analyzing the subject with no definitive resolution, questions arise; the brain goes on overload.

Do I really want to start the whole process again? Will we still be able to travel and work?

And what about raising the kid? Public or private school? Minivan or SUV?

Or as my husband says, Lions or Bears fan? Red Wings or Black Hawks? And how much is college going to be in the year 2026? Will we be cashing in the house for two semesters of college?

And who’s the designated babysitter when the free twenty-year-old gets tired of smelly diapers?

Our cat sitter is only $17 a day and that includes two feedings and one litter box clean-up; wonder if she’ll be available! Some other friends recently turned their loving dog-sitter Paula into their Nanny for their two babies.

Grandma Nancy’s out of service. She’s in Michigan helping with 17 grandkids at the over-ripe age of 82.

What if the little one is allergic to the cats? Who goes, the kid or the cats? What if we have multiples? Won’t even go there!

Here’s a horror story. Last time I had a baby my shoe size went up ½ size. If it happens again; so much for my Donald Pliner Snake-skin sandals.

Then there’s the boob issue; will they sag after nursing and droop like half-filled water balloons. I can always get a boob-job after breast-feeding and finance the kid’s college.

What about baby-proofing the house and sleep . . . ah sleep . . . I really enjoy my sleep . . . do I really want to give up the peace and quiet I’ve come to know and love for so many years since my twenty-year-old son last woke me to his final bout of middle of the night tears so many moons ago.

“Yes.” Absolutely. Bring in the troops. I have like 48 eggs left (okay, truth is, research indicates women over 35 have 25,000-90,000 eggs)… so let’s get the show on the road, remember, I’m 43 and counting! Send in the troops at least every other day. Let’s bravely forge ahead, (divide properly) and conquer!

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