After years of trying not to get pregnant, the decision to start trying to conceive can be monumental. When you finally meet the right person to co-parent with or decide the time is right to get pregnant, everyone hopes it will happen right away. This isn't always the case, but there are things you can do to prepare your body for conception. Here are our tips on how to boost your chances to conceive quickly.
Check Your Hormone Levels
Before you begin trying to conceive it is wise to check your hormone levels to see if there is anything that may need further investigation at the outset. Hormones are the body's chemical messengers which travel around in your bloodstream and control various functions within your body. They control everything from your mood to your reproductive capability, even how hungry you are.
Our hormones are affected by stress, exercise, weight, behaviour and what we eat, amongst other things, so there is plenty we can do to adjust our hormone levels. But having a baseline will help you to make those decisions. The at home Female Hormone Test from LetsGetChecked offers a fully comprehensive overview of your fertility status.
The test measures key female hormones and can help to rule out certain hormonal disorders, as well as giving you a clear picture of your fertility status. If you are planning on trying to conceive taking this test will measure certain biomarkers and give you an idea of where you stand.
By testing at home on Day 3 of your menstrual cycle, the Female Hormone Test measures:
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
FSH controls your menstrual cycle and the production and release of eggs. It stimulates the ovarian follicle growth before an egg is released in the fallopian tube. Levels of FSH vary throughout your cycle but they are at their highest when an egg is being released.
The test checks the level of FSH in your blood and can give a clearer view of your ovarian reserve.
Luteinizing Hormone
LH is responsible for ovulation and works in conjunction with FSH to trigger the release of an egg. Elevated LH levels may indicate ovarian failure or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Prolactin
Prolactin is responsible for the production of breast milk after childbirth. But high levels of prolactin in the blood before pregnancy may indicate that you are perimenopausal, experiencing thyroid issues, or having problems with ovulation.
Oestradiol
Oestradiol is responsible for sexual function and helps to maintain eggs within the ovaries. High levels of oestradiol can suppress FSH and be responsible for other negative side effects and symptoms.
You should consider taking the Female Hormone Test if you are planning on trying to conceive soon, or are curious about your fertility status. It can also be of use if you have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), ovarian failure, low ovarian reserve or you just want to check your ovulation function. It is also of use if you are experiencing an early menopause or thyroid issues.
Lifestyle Changes That May Help You Conceive
Choosing to have a baby is one of the biggest steps you will ever take in your life so it makes sense to increase the odds as much as possible. Making lifestyle changes pre-pregnancy can help by getting your body into the best condition to prepare for an upcoming pregnancy.
Among the lifestyle changes you should consider are eliminating alcohol and drugs, starting an exercise routine and lowering your stress levels. These lifestyle changes may not seem huge, but they will definitely be of benefit to your chances of conceiving.
What to Cut Out
First you should minimize, or if possible, eliminate all alcohol and drugs from your routine. This includes cigarettes which contain nicotine among many other drugs that are no good for your body. Alcohol has been proven to lower a woman’s chances of getting pregnant, especially if consumed in high amounts.
Cigarettes also decrease a woman’s chances of getting pregnant by sacrificing the quality of a woman's reproductive system. Any recreational drugs should be discontinued immediately to properly give your body time to prepare for pregnancy.
If you are on medication for a disorder, it is best to talk to your doctor prior to conceiving to determine which, if any, effects the medicine will have on your chances of conceiving and subsequent pregnancy.
Exercise
Exercise is great for the body and if you are out of shape, this is the best time to be diligent about getting healthier. Exercise in conjunction with a proper diet increases your odds of a successful conception.
Exercising also helps to keep your weight gain slow and steady throughout pregnancy and will aid in delivery. You may continue exercising throughout and after pregnancy although it's best to talk to your doctor about your routine.
Stress
Stress can lead to weight gain or loss, hair loss, and even infertility. By mesing with your menstrual cycle, stress can make your body miss ovulation.
Since ovulation is necessary for conception, stress levels should be contained. This may require simple relaxation techniques or an action as drastic as a career or job change. Lowering your stress level will improve your odds of conceiving.
While getting pregnant is a very exciting time, making the decision to get pregnant should not be taken lightly. If you are serious about making the decision to have a baby, you should consider some lifestyle changes as well. Avoiding alcohol and drugs, exercising more and reducing stress can greatly improve your odds of conceiving.
Further reading:
10 Things You Should Do When Trying to Conceive
Lifestyle Changes You Need to Make to Improve Fertility
Check Your Hormone Levels
Before you begin trying to conceive it is wise to check your hormone levels to see if there is anything that may need further investigation at the outset. Hormones are the body's chemical messengers which travel around in your bloodstream and control various functions within your body. They control everything from your mood to your reproductive capability, even how hungry you are.
Our hormones are affected by stress, exercise, weight, behaviour and what we eat, amongst other things, so there is plenty we can do to adjust our hormone levels. But having a baseline will help you to make those decisions. The at home Female Hormone Test from LetsGetChecked offers a fully comprehensive overview of your fertility status.
The test measures key female hormones and can help to rule out certain hormonal disorders, as well as giving you a clear picture of your fertility status. If you are planning on trying to conceive taking this test will measure certain biomarkers and give you an idea of where you stand.
By testing at home on Day 3 of your menstrual cycle, the Female Hormone Test measures:
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
FSH controls your menstrual cycle and the production and release of eggs. It stimulates the ovarian follicle growth before an egg is released in the fallopian tube. Levels of FSH vary throughout your cycle but they are at their highest when an egg is being released.
The test checks the level of FSH in your blood and can give a clearer view of your ovarian reserve.
Luteinizing Hormone
LH is responsible for ovulation and works in conjunction with FSH to trigger the release of an egg. Elevated LH levels may indicate ovarian failure or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Prolactin
Prolactin is responsible for the production of breast milk after childbirth. But high levels of prolactin in the blood before pregnancy may indicate that you are perimenopausal, experiencing thyroid issues, or having problems with ovulation.
Oestradiol
Oestradiol is responsible for sexual function and helps to maintain eggs within the ovaries. High levels of oestradiol can suppress FSH and be responsible for other negative side effects and symptoms.
You should consider taking the Female Hormone Test if you are planning on trying to conceive soon, or are curious about your fertility status. It can also be of use if you have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), ovarian failure, low ovarian reserve or you just want to check your ovulation function. It is also of use if you are experiencing an early menopause or thyroid issues.
Lifestyle Changes That May Help You Conceive
Choosing to have a baby is one of the biggest steps you will ever take in your life so it makes sense to increase the odds as much as possible. Making lifestyle changes pre-pregnancy can help by getting your body into the best condition to prepare for an upcoming pregnancy.
Among the lifestyle changes you should consider are eliminating alcohol and drugs, starting an exercise routine and lowering your stress levels. These lifestyle changes may not seem huge, but they will definitely be of benefit to your chances of conceiving.
What to Cut Out
First you should minimize, or if possible, eliminate all alcohol and drugs from your routine. This includes cigarettes which contain nicotine among many other drugs that are no good for your body. Alcohol has been proven to lower a woman’s chances of getting pregnant, especially if consumed in high amounts.
Cigarettes also decrease a woman’s chances of getting pregnant by sacrificing the quality of a woman's reproductive system. Any recreational drugs should be discontinued immediately to properly give your body time to prepare for pregnancy.
If you are on medication for a disorder, it is best to talk to your doctor prior to conceiving to determine which, if any, effects the medicine will have on your chances of conceiving and subsequent pregnancy.
Exercise
Exercise is great for the body and if you are out of shape, this is the best time to be diligent about getting healthier. Exercise in conjunction with a proper diet increases your odds of a successful conception.
Exercising also helps to keep your weight gain slow and steady throughout pregnancy and will aid in delivery. You may continue exercising throughout and after pregnancy although it's best to talk to your doctor about your routine.
Stress
Stress can lead to weight gain or loss, hair loss, and even infertility. By mesing with your menstrual cycle, stress can make your body miss ovulation.
Since ovulation is necessary for conception, stress levels should be contained. This may require simple relaxation techniques or an action as drastic as a career or job change. Lowering your stress level will improve your odds of conceiving.
While getting pregnant is a very exciting time, making the decision to get pregnant should not be taken lightly. If you are serious about making the decision to have a baby, you should consider some lifestyle changes as well. Avoiding alcohol and drugs, exercising more and reducing stress can greatly improve your odds of conceiving.
Use the code MUM20 to get 20% of all LetsGetChecked at home tests
Further reading:
10 Things You Should Do When Trying to Conceive
Lifestyle Changes You Need to Make to Improve Fertility
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