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Once we set our minds on something, we always want it to happen right away, no matter how hard we try to deny it, once we want something, we want it NOW. Getting pregnant, however, can be a long process, and sometimes we have to sit back and be patient (not one of our strong points).
There’s nothing invented, as of yet, that can get you pregnant straight away without any obstacles. But, Dr Rafet Gazvani, Consultant in Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine at The Hewitt Fertility Centre, Knutsford, gives his top tips to help the process move a little faster.
1. Have a balanced diet and quit those bad habits
If you’re trying for a baby then cut back on your alcohol intake, give up smoking and eat a well-balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and veg. Women should also take a daily dose of folic acid (0.4mg). Good health increases your fertility.
2. Know your menstrual cycle
Tune into your body. Some women will experience twinges or period-like pain in the abdomen just before ovulation. Your vaginal mucus also changes in consistency, becoming thin and slippery. A woman’s most fertile days are the days of ovulation and the four or five days before, so the best way to increase your odds of getting pregnant quickly is to make sure you’re having unprotected sex at the right time during your cycle.
3. Stop any contraception
Your fertility should return to normal after you stop contraception, although how quickly depends on the particular form of contraception. For example, fertility immediately follows the removal of an intrauterine device (IUD), whereas it may take several months before the effects of an implant wear off, so check with your doctor.
4. Encouraging your partner's sperm production
Now, it's not all about the woman - it takes two to create a baby. To promote better sperm production, you should encourage your partner to wear loose boxer shorts and trousers and take cool showers rather than hot baths. They too should cut back on alcohol intake and smoking as these are also bad news for healthy sperm production.
5. Avoid getting yourself stressed
Try to make love often and avoid becoming stressed about the baby-making!
