4 ACTIONS THAT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF GETTING PREGNANT
Have you tried for a while but failed to get two lines on the pregnancy test? You are far from alone. Approximately 10 percent of all couples of childbearing age have difficulty conceiving.
Here you will find an overview of 4 things you can do to increase your chances - on your own.
1. Have intercourse at the right time
Many people believe that having sex often increases the likelihood of getting pregnant. The truth is, however, that the woman can only be fertilized a couple of days during a cycle.
Like so much else, it's about quality, not quantity: It's important to have sex at the right time, namely around ovulation.
What is good timing?
Yes, it's around ovulation - when one or more mature eggs are released from the ovaries. While the egg can be fertilized within a day, the sperm can live in the fallopian tube and be fertile for several days (!). Therefore, you should have sex before ovulation itself. Most women have a cycle of 28 days, and the best timing is then on day 12 of the cycle.
2. Find ovulation
Some women feel in their bodies when ovulation occurs. Others notice nothing. An ovulation test is therefore a practical tool.
The woman does the test at home in the bathroom by peeing on a strip. The morning urine gives the clearest answer. The hormone level is measured and you get an answer as to whether ovulation is on the way.
There are a variety of ovulation tests available - some of better quality than others. Those who show smileys are the easiest to interpret, while those who show dashes can in some cases give ambiguous answers.
3. Measure the temperature of the bike
Another tool that can help you become aware of the cycle is a basal thermometer. It measures the body's temperature and helps to find out whether the woman is missing ovulation or whether the phase after ovulation and before menstruation is long enough for the egg to attach. Usually this phase lasts 12 days, but for some it is shorter. The phase should last at least 10 days.
Be aware that the temperature on the cycle cannot be used to plan intercourse as the body temperature only rises after ovulation.
4. Make smart lifestyle choices
do you smoke Are you stressed at the moment? This can affect fertility in women. It also affects obesity - some also apply to men. Even underweight women are less fertile.
Major lifestyle changes are rarely necessary, but nine who want to become pregnant benefit from having a healthy and varied diet, exercising regularly and having a limited intake of alcohol and tobacco.
