Things to Know When You're Ready to Get Pregnant

The decision to start trying for a pregnancy is a monumental one. It can bring about many different emotions - joy, excitement, and even a little nervousness. If you are ready to get pregnant, there are a few key things that you should know; knowing these essential items will help you with the process and keep you prepared for the events to come. The following are 4 essential things to know when you’re ready to get pregnant.

You probably won’t get pregnant right away

First thing’s first: you probably will not get pregnant right away. When trying, healthy women have about a 15-25% chance of getting pregnant during any given month, which means that you aren’t likely to get pregnant on the “first try,” so to speak. It is possible that you may get pregnant sooner rather than later, but you should prepare yourself for the fact that it may take several months or longer before you have conceived.

There are many factors which can affect your chances of getting pregnant

Many women do not realize that there are many different factors that can influence your ability to get pregnant. These factors include but are not limited to:

• Your age; your ability to conceive begins to decrease in your 20's and early 30's

• Irregular menstrual cycles, which make it difficult to track ovulation

• How often you and your spouse have sex; the less often, the less likely you will become pregnant

• How long you have been trying to conceive; if you are still not pregnant after one year, you have a lower chance of conceiving

• Various medical conditions

And that's just the woman we're talking about.  Men contribute their own issues to the fertility equation!

If you have one or more factors that may make it more difficult to conceive, you may benefit from seeking out a doctor’s opinion on infertility. Your spouse should also get checked for infertility if you have been trying to conceive for a year but have not had any success.

You should be charting your ovulation to help increase your chances

If you aren’t already charting your ovulation, then now is the time to start. You have a higher chance of becoming pregnant when you are ovulating than when you are not, so the more accurate your ovulation chart, the higher the chances that you will become pregnant. You can track your ovulation manually on a calendar or you can download an ovulation app, which is the easiest and most technologically-friendly way to chart ovulation.

Scheduling a preconception visit can help you understand your best chances for pregnancy

If you have one or more of the risk factors listed above or you simply want to be the best prepared for a pregnancy, you should schedule a preconception visit with your physician. This visit will help the physician assess whether or not you have any medical conditions or problems that need to be addressed before you get pregnant (such as high blood pressure or diabetes); the physician can also give you advice on charting ovulation and otherwise help you be more prepared for trying to get pregnant.

How you're having sex matters?

Did you know that the positions you choose for sex have an effect on your chances of getting pregnant?  The best sex positions to get pregnant are the ones which go deeper and where gravity works in your favor.  Think classic missionary or even doggy-style positions and avoid having her on top.