Getting pregnant is not as easy as you might think.  It takes time and practice!  Don’t be upset if you don’t get pregnant the first cycle that you try.  On average 85% of couples will get pregnant in 12 months having unprotected sex.  Here is some advice to increase your odds.  Good luck!

 

The first day of your period, the first day you have bleeding, is Day 1 of your cycle.

Your fertile time should be between days 10 and 16.  This is when you ovulate.  You may want to try using a urine test kit (such as clear plan Easy) to check for ovulation, starting on day 10 of your cycle.  Or, you may use basal body temperature measurements (check your pharmacy for the special thermometer).

 

To maximize your odds of getting pregnant, sexual intercourse is recommended every other day from day 10 through 20 of your cycle, 4-5 days before you ovulate until 1-2 days after. ( Having sex every day may reduce sperm counts.)  If you do not menstruate as predicted, get a pregnancy test 2 weeks after your missed period.  You may be pregnant!

 

Up to 3 months prior to getting pregnant we advise you start prenatal vitamins and folic acid.  Take prenatal vitamins with less than 5000 units of Vitamin A.  Take folic acid supplements; 0.4mg to 4 mg (milligram) a day.  Folic acid supplementation has been proven to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects and anencephaly by up to 50%.   Iron supplementation and a stool softener is also recommended to reduce anemia.

 

You may elect to get baseline screening labs done prior to conception: Glucose, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Rubella, varicella, HIV, and cystic fibrosis screening.  Please ask your provider if you are interested.  Make sure your are fully immunized prior to pregnancy.

 

Avoid tobacco smoking, alcohol, excess caffeine, and illicit drugs.

 

Special considerations:

·        If you are diabetic you must keep your glucose in excellent control with diet, exercise, and insulin if needed.  If you are overweight, you will have a better pregnancy course and less risks for delivery if your Body Mass Index is less than 30.  (About 180 pounds for a person who is 5 ft 6 inches tall).

·        A personal medical history of diabetes, hypertension, epilepsy, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, phenylketonuria can complicate a pregnancy.  These issues should be in good control Prior to conception.  You should discuss these medical problems with your provider PRIOR to getting pregnant to improve outcomes.  Please discuss all medications with your doctor before getting pregnant or stopping medications in order to achieve pregnancy. 

·        A prior history of tubal pregnancies (ectopic) place you at high risk.  You should be seen as soon as you have a positive pregnancy test.