5 Best Ways To Conceive Faster (Even If You Have Been Struggling To Conceive For The Past 5 to 10 Years)

Can’t wait to get that positive test result? These expert tips for getting pregnant can help you on the path to parenthood.

Once you’ve made the big decision to start a family, it’s hard to wait. And while your patience may be waning, you can (and should!) begin planning right away. That’s because — as it turns out — there’s more to getting pregnant fast than just having sex at the right time; it’s also about creating the perfect environment so that when sperm meets egg, a healthy embryo grows into a healthy baby.

Conceiving quickly may be the goal, but it’s never a guarantee. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to help kick start the process. So if you’re wondering how to get pregnant fast, read on for all the top dos and don’ts. From tracking ovulation to changing your diet, we’re sharing a few tips to help you on the exciting journey to parenthood.

Step 1: Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

If you’re wondering how to increase your chances of getting pregnant fast, self-care can go a long way. It’s no secret that your body goes through some major changes and challenges during pregnancy and delivery,

See your doctor First things first: Schedule a preconception check-up. Your ob-gyn can talk to you about your overall health and suggest any necessary lifestyle changes to help you get pregnant fast. Be sure to discuss any pre-existing conditions that might affect your pregnancy and the medications you’re currently taking. You can also explore your family history to decide if genetic screening is advisable.

Visit your dentist

Don’t forget to pay your dentist a visit too. gum disease has been linked to being underweight and premature babies. Not only that, pregnancy is notoriously tough on teeth and gums. Your dentist can make sure your oral hygiene is in good standing before you get pregnant.

Get some exercise

Now is a great time to establish healthy exercise habits to prepare your body for pregnancy. Even squeezing in a short daily walk is enough to get your heart rate up and contribute to good health.

Don’t smoke

Smoking can impact your chances of getting pregnant fast. It’s linked to a greater risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies.

Cut back on alcohol

While an occasional glass of wine isn’t going to affect your fertility, you might consider avoiding alcohol altogether while you’re trying to conceive. No amount of alcohol is considered safe to drink while pregnant

Ask your partner to avoid hot tubs

It’s not just an old wives’ tale; hot water really can have a negative effect on a man’s sperm count

Step 2: Stop Taking Birth Control

It may seem obvious, but if you want to get pregnant fast, you’ll need to quit your method of Birth control Depending on what form you’re using, fertility doesn’t necessarily return right away. With barrier methods, like condoms, upping your chance of getting pregnant is as easy as leaving them in your nightstand drawer. If you have a non-hormonal IUD removed, your body will immediately be ready for pregnancy. But for women who have been using hormonal forms of birth control, it can sometimes take a few weeks for their bodies to regulate and ovulate.

Step 3: Track Your Ovulation

Determining how to get pregnant fast is secondary. First, you’ll need to figure out how your body works. Knowing when you’re going to ovulate — and, therefore, when you’re most fertile — is key. Nailing down the timing isn’t always easy, but luckily there are several ways to track your ovulation.

Recognize ovulation symptoms

An app can crunch the numbers and give you likelihoods, but one of the simplest ways to get pregnant is to listen to your body and watch for symptoms of ovulation. You may have just one or two, or you may have several of the following signs:

• Light spotting

• Clear, stretchy cervical mucus

• Increased libido

• Breast sensitivity and tenderness

Step 4: Have Well-Timed Sex

When you’re trying to conceive, it gives you an incentive to hit the sheets all the time. But like anything, too much of a good thing can backfire. Experts say the best way to get pregnant fast is to have sex once a day, every other day, during the fertile window right before and after ovulation. If you have sex too often, your partner’s sperm count may be reduced, and if you don’t have enough sex, the sperm may be old and unable to swim as fast. Suffice to say: Getting pregnant isn’t necessarily as simple as getting busy — and there are some considerations to keep top of mind when it’s finally time for baby-making activities.

Don’t use lube

If getting pregnant is the goal, you may want to lay off the lube. While it can make you feel more comfortable during sex, some lubricants can make sperm more likely to die before reaching the egg. Opt for a lubricant that’s “sperm-friendly,” or try ramping up the foreplay to enhance your own natural lubrication.

Don’t douche after sex

Douching after sex can sabotage your chances of getting pregnant. What’s more, it can also put you at risk for a pelvic infection — which is why most doctors advise against it, even if you’re not actively trying to get pregnant.

Skip oral sex

While there’s no definitive proof, some early research has found that large amounts of saliva may inhibit sperm’s motility. So if you know you’re ovulating and you’re actively trying to get pregnant (and fast!), you may want to abstain from this particular activity — just in case.

How Long Does It Take to Get Pregnant?

Most healthy couples who have frequent, unprotected sex become pregnant within a year, according to the Mayo Clinic. One study found that 38 percent conceived after one month, 68 percent after three months, 81 percent after six months, and 92 percent after 12 months. Still, sometimes you might need some help.

If you’re in your early 30s or younger and you and your partner are both healthy, it’s okay to actively try for a year without using birth control before speaking with your ob-gyn or a fertility specialist. After all, it’s important to keep in mind that even at the peak of fertility, the chances of getting pregnant in any given month is only about 1 in 5.