Trying to concieve

Tips to Take the Anxiety Out of Trying to Conceive

Jean M. Twenge, Ph.

For many women, getting pregnant can be a frustrating and anxiety-filled experience. It certainly was for me, which is why I was inspired to write The Impatient Woman’s Guide to Getting Pregnant, that offers tips for women who are trying to conceive.

Try the following tips:

Discontinue the pill. A good rule of thumb is to get off the pill three months before trying to conceive if you have been on it for less than a year, and six months prior if you have been on it for over a year.
Know your ovulation cycle. Be aware of your five-day fertile window. You can find this window by using a fertility monitor, ovulation predictor kits, charting or all three.
Consider sperm analysis. If you’ve been having ovulation-focused sex and still haven’t conceived, consider having your partner get a quick and easy sperm analysis. This ‘male factor’ or sperm issue comprises nearly half of all fertility issues.
Take prenatal vitamins. Many studies show that taking prenatal vitamins, with important nutrients like folic acid, vitamin B6 and DHA, increases your chances of getting pregnant quickly. Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil) have been linked to better embryos in IVF, positive brain development and higher IQs. There is also evidence that prenatal vitamins lower the chance of birth defects of the brain and spinal cord, so begin taking them if you’re trying to conceive.
Be sure to use a sperm-safe lubricant like Pre-Seed. Developed specifically for couples who are trying to conceive. Pre-Seed is pH balanced and isotonic to mimic a woman’s fertile fluids and the pH of sperm, allowing them to swim freely on their journey to fertilization.
Cut back on caffeine. There are no apparent adverse effects on fertility or pregnancy outcomes from consuming caffeine, just keep it to 1-2 cups of coffee a day. Try getting your lattes as “half caffs” with half the caffeine so you can have two a day if you want.
When you think you may be pregnant — the earlier you know, the better. First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test detects the smallest amount of the pregnancy hormone HcG — so it can tell you sooner than any other test. To be extra sure of the result when it matters most, First Response Triple Check offers three unique pregnancy tests all over 99 percent accurate in one convenient combination kit.

When to Use Ovulation Tests

If you’re trying to conceive (TTC), ovulation testing can be an important part of improving your chance of getting pregnant. Ovulation testing can seem unusual, but it’s all a matter of hormones and your menstrual cycle. FIRST RESPONSE is here to help demystify ovulation testing and offer some tips to make it even simpler and easier.

Understanding Ovulation and the Best Days to Conceive

When you’re trying to conceive, knowing when you are most likely to get pregnant is crucial. Each month, there is a short window when an egg can be fertilized and implanted in the uterus. Learn how to calculate these best days to conceive by tracking ovulation and seizing the opportunity on your most fertile days.

PCOS and Pregnancy

It is estimated that as many as 1.4 million Canadian women may be afflicted with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (Source: Alberta Women’s Health Association). PCOS is a condition where higher androgen levels in the body can lead to irregular periods, ovarian cysts, thinning hair, excess facial hair (hirsutism), and often a harder time getting pregnant.

Getting Pregnant: What They Didn’t Teach in Sex Ed

Your school might have poured considerable planning and resources into its sex education program, but chances are, it was similar to most sex ed classes. Aimed towards teenagers about unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, and chock full of information gaps in areas that could truly serve those teens when they become adults hoping to start a family.

Getting Pregnant At 35

Yes, you can get pregnant after 35 or even 40. In fact, more and more people do. According to the most recent fertility rate analysis by the Statistics Canada, the average age for a woman to have a baby in Canada is now 30, with more people than ever giving birth after 35 and 40.

Does Using A Lubricant Inhibit Conception

The job of a gynecologist is to help keep women from getting pregnant when they don’t want to be pregnant, and to help them conceive when they want to have a baby. If 100 couples have regular intercourse, say every other day, for a month, by the end of that month of trying to conceive, at most 20 will be pregnant. By the end of six months of trying, 50 will be pregnant, and by the end of one year, 80 will be pregnant. Therefore, gynecologists usually recommend to young couples (women under the age of 35) to try for a year before starting infertility evaluations.