Trying to conceive can be an exciting journey, but if pregnancy doesn’t happen right away, it can quickly turn stressful. The abundance of fertility information available can make this process feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re simplifying it. Where should you begin, and what steps should you take to prepare for conception and a healthy pregnancy? Additionally, what do you need to understand about your own body and your partner’s to increase your chances of conceiving?
Before diving in, let’s cover the basics. For conception to occur, four elements are required:
1. Sperm
2. An Egg
3. Fertilization (sperm meeting egg)
4. A Healthy Environment for the fertilized egg to implant and grow
While this may seem straightforward, fertility can be complex, and things don’t always go as planned. By understanding and optimizing each of these steps, you can identify potential issues early on, increasing your chances of a successful pregnancy.
Step 1: Start Taking a Prenatal Vitamin
The first step in your journey to pregnancy is to act as though you are already pregnant, and this means starting with a high-quality prenatal vitamin. Why begin so early? Because a baby requires significant nutrition from the moment of conception. Most women find out they’re pregnant 2-3 weeks after conception, so taking a prenatal vitamin from the start ensures that you’re providing essential nutrients right from the beginning, supporting both egg health and creating a nurturing environment for implantation.
A high-quality prenatal vitamin can also help address nutrient deficiencies, support fertility, manage morning sickness, reduce fatigue, and contribute to a healthier pregnancy for both mother and baby. While a balanced diet is always recommended, the reality is that food alone may not meet the nutritional demands of pregnancy.
Choosing the Right Prenatal Vitamin: Not all prenatal vitamins are created equal. Many on the market have inadequate amounts or less bioavailable forms of essential nutrients. Look for a prenatal that requires more than two pills per day, as two pills often aren’t enough to contain all the necessary nutrients. Key nutrients to look for include folate, iron, iodine, calcium, and DHA.
Additionally, consider incorporating a pregnancy-specific probiotic and an Omega-3 supplement into your routine, both of which support fertility and a healthy pregnancy. Ensuring adequate protein intake is also crucial for managing blood sugar levels, hormone balance, and supporting the growth of the baby and placenta. Collagen protein can be a valuable addition for these purposes.
You may also want to consider nutrient testing for common deficiencies, such as Vitamin D and Omega-3s, which can significantly impact fertility.
Step 2: Take a Fertility Boosting Supplement
Taking a fertility-boosting supplement, such as Ladywell’s Fertility & Egg Health, can significantly enhance your chances of conceiving by providing essential nutrients that support reproductive health. These supplements are specially formulated to nourish your body with key vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that may be lacking in your daily diet.
Ingredients like CoQ10, Myo-Inositol, and folate have been shown to improve egg quality, regulate menstrual cycles, and balance hormone levels, all of which are critical factors for successful conception. By incorporating a targeted fertility supplement into your routine, you’re proactively addressing potential nutrient deficiencies, optimizing your reproductive health, and giving yourself the best possible chance to conceive and support a healthy pregnancy.
Step 3: Evaluate Your Lifestyle and Reduce Toxin Exposure
Preparing for pregnancy also means reducing exposure to toxins that can harm fertility and fetal development. While some toxins, like air pollution, are unavoidable, minimizing exposure to controllable toxins can greatly benefit you and your future baby.
Sources of Toxins: Common toxins include endocrine disruptors found in cleaning products, personal care items, and certain foods. Substances like alcohol and caffeine can also impact fertility, as they add stress to your body’s detoxification systems. For an in-depth guide on how to reduce toxins in your life, check out our three-part series on preparing for conception with a pregnancy-safe detox.
Step 4: Identify Your Fertile Window
Knowing when you’re fertile is crucial for increasing the likelihood of sperm meeting egg. Understanding your fertile window, or the days leading up to and including ovulation, allows you to time intercourse effectively. Here are some methods to track ovulation:
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Tests: Also known as ovulation predictor kits, these simple, affordable test strips detect a surge in LH hormone, indicating that ovulation is imminent.
• Cervical Mucus Monitoring: Cervical mucus changes texture and volume throughout your cycle, becoming clear and stretchy like egg whites around ovulation. This fluid helps sperm reach the egg for fertilization. Products like Kegg can help provide accurate monitoring of cervical mucus.
• Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Monitoring: Your BBT changes with your cycle, dropping slightly before ovulation and rising afterward. Tracking your BBT daily can help pinpoint ovulation. You can use a simple thermometer or devices like the Oura Ring for convenience.
By using these methods, you can accurately identify your fertile days, optimizing your chances of conception.
Step 5: Confirm Successful Ovulation
While tracking ovulation signs is helpful, it’s essential to confirm that ovulation is not only occurring but is also of high quality. Successful ovulation happens when an egg is released, and sufficient progesterone is produced to support implantation if fertilization occurs.
How to Confirm Successful Ovulation: Proov PdG tests are the first and only FDA-cleared at-home tests to confirm successful ovulation. PdG, a urine metabolite of progesterone, rises when serum progesterone is elevated. Unlike a one-time blood test, Proov allows you to monitor PdG levels over four days after peak fertility, which is critical for confirming successful ovulation.
If your Proov results show successful ovulation, you can proceed to the next step. If not, you can improve ovulation quality with dietary changes, seed cycling, herbal supplements like vitex and maca, or bio-identical progesterone supplements under a doctor’s supervision.
If improving ovulation naturally doesn’t work, consult with a healthcare provider for further testing, such as hormone panels or thyroid function tests.
Step 6: Assess Sperm Quality
Once you have addressed your fertile window and ovulation, it’s essential to consider your partner’s sperm health. Two key factors to examine are sperm count and sperm motility, which are critical for reaching and fertilizing the egg.
At-Home Sperm Testing: Many at-home sperm tests are available to check sperm count and motility. If test results indicate low sperm quality, consider dietary and lifestyle changes, stress reduction, and supplementation with nutrients like Omega-3s and herbs like maca root.
Additional Tips: Using sperm-friendly lubricants and opting for loose-fitting underwear, such as boxers, can also support sperm health. Research has shown that tight underwear may impair sperm production.
After making these adjustments, retest sperm quality. If there are no improvements, consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’ve followed these five steps and haven’t achieved a positive pregnancy test, it may be time to consult with a healthcare provider. They can help identify less common fertility issues, such as blocked fallopian tubes, genetic factors, or structural abnormalities in the uterus.
Starting with these steps can help save time and money in your fertility journey and equip you with valuable information for productive discussions with your healthcare provider. The more you understand about your fertility, the better you can work with medical professionals to achieve your conception goals.
