Are you planning on becoming pregnant soon? Trying to conceive a baby now?
Then now is the perfect time to prepare your body and mind for fertility success!
This all-in-one fertility guide for increasing conception success will help you…
- Prep your body and mind for pregnancy
- Eliminate things decreasing fertility
- Recognize, track, and increase pregnancy success during ovulation
- Remove things that decrease implantation
- Survive the two-week wait
- Distinguish between implantation and period symptoms
Plus, go over with you when you need a fertility boost to get pregnant in the form of natural fertility supplements and possible fertility treatment!
Are you ready to increase your chances of getting pregnant?!
Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you click on them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
Preparing Your Body and Mind For Conception
How To Prepare The Mind
When you’re trying to have a baby, it can take a toll on your mind. Most couples with no underlying fertility issues conceive in 12 months or less.
But 12 months is still a long time!
After months and months past by with negative results, your mind and heart tend to become discouraged.
Sex feels more like a chore and you’re sick of buying ovulation and pregnancy tests.
However, to keep trying to conceive you need to keep a positive attitude (as best as possible)!
Here are some ways to maintain a positive attitude while trying to conceive:
- Redirecting negative thought patterns
- Always keep your eye on your end goal for increased fertility- A baby!
- Recite positive affirmations for fertility
- Use Visualization
- Reach out to others who are trying to conceive
For more tips for keeping a positive attitude while TTC, read the article How To Keep A Positive Attitude While TTC
HERE are 10 Fertility Affirmations you need!
How To Prepare The Body
Both the mind and the body are equally responsible for conceiving a baby.
But when it comes to increasing your conception odds every month, diet is everything!
What you put into your body provides or takeaway the essential nutrients you need to conceive and grow a child.
The best place to start for increasing fertility is by overhauling your diet and adding in the following fertility superfoods!
Fertility Superfoods
Beans and Lentils
Beans and Lentils are packed with folate and fiber.
While both can help balance hormones, folate is essential for a developing baby to ward off Neural Tube Defects.
Plant-based proteins also help promote healthier ovulation.
Berries
Berries contain folate, antioxidants, and vitamin C to promote fetal growth, aid weight loss, and balance hormones.
Avocadoes
Avocadoes contain high amounts of vitamin E to help improve the uterine lining.
Quinoa
Quinoa is a low acidic whole grain that can help lower the acidity in cervical mucus.
It also contains zinc to ramp up egg production and help maintain follicle fluid levels.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is packed full of vitamin D and calcium to help ovary follicles mature.
Salmon
Salmon is full of omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, and protein to promote a regular menses and aid fetal brain and eye development.
Asparagus
Asparagus reduces oxidative stress for the reproductive system.
Eggs
Eggs are full of protein, folate, and omega-3’s to help an embryo attach to the uterine lining and aid the development of an embryo.
Dark leafy greens
Leafy greens like spinach contain high amounts of folate to improve ovulation and increase libido.
Almonds
Almonds contain essential vitamin E that…
-Regulates hormones
-Aids cervical mucus production
-Removes free radicals
-Improves insulin resistance for women with PCOS
For An in-depth look at fertility superfoods to increase conception odds and 10 more fertility foods CLICK HERE!
If you’re interested in losing weight while boosting your odds of conception each month, check out my article…
How The Keto Diet Can Change Your Fertility Health For The Better!
Vitamins To Add To Your Diet For Fertility Health
Things To Eliminate To Boost Conception Success
Eating the above fertility superfoods can help give you the boost of essential nutrients you need to help you conceive faster.
But what about everyday things harming your fertility?
Here are 8 everyday things to eliminate from your life for a healthier future pregnancy!
Limit The Following In Your Diet
Low-fat dairy
Low-fat dairy contains androgens (male sex hormones) that can lead to a hormonal balance.
Instead, replace it with full-fat dairy products.
Simple carbs
Simple carbs are carbohydrates with a high glycemic index causing a rise in blood sugar that interferes with ovulation.
Instead, opt for complex carbohydrates like oatmeal and quinoa.
Trans fat
Trans fat increases insulin resistance and inflammation, overtime damaging blood vessels that carry vital nutrients to a developing fetus.
Make sure to read nutritional labels and limit fried foods.
Seafood with high amounts of mercury
Consuming seafood high in mercury damages the nervous system. High mercury can be extremely dangerous for a growing fetus and a developing nervous system.
Instead, replace high mercury seafood like Marlin and Ahi Tuna with lower mercury content like salmon, oysters, and scallops.
Artificial Sweeteners
Research on artificial sweeteners and conception success found that women who consumed higher amounts of artificial sweeteners had poorer egg quality, embryo quality, and a decreased success rate of implantation and pregnancy.
For more research related to artificial sweeteners and trying to conceive read the article How Artificial Sweeteners (Fake Sugars) Harm Reproductive Health
Here are 8 healthy alternatives to artificial sweeteners:
Foods with high pesticides
Research has found women who consumed foods with high pesticides during fertility treatment decreased their pregnancy success by 18%.
It was also found that women with high pesticide exposure were 26% less likely to carry a baby to birth.
Replace high pesticide foods like strawberries and celery with organic fruits and vegetables or those with low pesticide amounts.
BPA bottles and canned drinks
Bottles and canned drinks with the number 7 contain BPA.
Not only does BPA disrupt how the body reproduces, but it also makes a woman’s eggs develop abnormally, greatly increasing the chance of birth defects.
Avoid bottles and cans with BPA and replace them with items like stainless steel bottles and glass food containers.
For more information and research related to things that harm conception and fertility read the article Everyday Foods Killing Your Fertility Health
Increasing Your Chances Of Conception During Ovulation
Your fertile window typically lasts about 7 days.
For some women, it could be as long as 10 days, but you can’t count on such a long window of time to conceive.
Unfortunately, ovulation itself only lasts 12 to 48 hours.
That does not give you and your guy much time at all to connect his sperm with your egg!
The only way to increase your chances of conceiving a baby is by learning the signs of ovulation, methods for tracking ovulation, and getting a fertility-friendly lubricant.
Clear Signs Of Ovulation To Watch For
The first step to maximizing your conception success is by being aware of all the signs of ovulation.
Some ovulation signs are subtle, others are more apparent.
Although you should recognize most of the ovulation signs, each sign by itself does not signal your fertile period.
Instead, you should look for the key signs of ovulation that occur together!
Signs of ovulation:
- Your partner finds you more attractive
- Your sense of smell increases
- You have an increase in libido
- Your breasts hurt
- You’re speaking with a higher-pitched voice
- You are more open to adventurous sex
- Your cervix position changes (key sign)
- Your cervical mucus changes (key sign)
- You’re cramping
- You’re bloated
- You may have spotting
- Your basal body temperature is high (key sign)
- You’ve received a positive ovulation test (key sign)
Remember not to rely on one symptom for detecting ovulation. Look for the multiple key signs of ovulation to line up at the same time to determine ovulation!
Learn more about ovulation signs by reading the article Clear Signs Of Ovulation To Detect Your Fertile Time
Different Methods To Track Ovulation
Thankfully, you don’t have to rely on subtle signs of ovulation and guesswork!
The following six methods can help you pinpoint your fertile time of the month to help you conceive.
Be aware that not every method of tracking ovulation is right for every woman.
You need to find one method or two different methods to detect ovulation.
Basal Body Temperature
Also known as BBT, this method of tracking ovulation measures your resting body temperature first thing in the morning.
This method requires patience and consistency. You have to remember to record your temperature before you get out of bed in the morning.
BBT will vary throughout your cycle by a tenth of a degree.
From month to month you will notice your temperature increases slightly during your fertile window, then drop after ovulation.
This tracking is only effective at determining when ovulation will occur month to month and if ovulation’s actually occurred that month.
But it is only effective for women who have regular cycles.
Basal body temperature charting should be combined with another method.
BBT alone will not help you accurately predict your ovulation since your cycle can have slight variations from month to month.
Cervical Mucus and Position
To use cervical mucus as an indication of ovulation is easy.
Just look for an increase in cervical mucus that is egg-white in texture and stretches 2 inches or more between your fingers.
During ovulation, your cervix will be positioned high in the vagina and will feel soft, wet, and open.
While this method is semi-reliable, it should be combined with another more reliable method because every women’s body is different and cervical mucus and position vary from women to women.
Ovulation Prediction Kits
Also known as OPK’s. This is a reliable method for tracking ovulation!
For ovulation prediction kits, the hormone LH (luteinizing hormone) is detected.
When you receive a positive on an OPK, it has detected your LH surge.
LH is the hormone that triggers the start of ovulation. After receiving a positive ovulation test, ovulation will occur 24 to 36 hours later.
For more information about the pros and cons of different types of OPK’s, read the article 6 Methods For Tracking Ovulation
Fertility Monitors
Fertility monitors work by measuring and charting your saliva and/or cervical mucus electrolytes.
These electrolytes are influenced by estrogen throughout your cycle.
Fertility Monitors like OvaCue gives you two ways of tracking ovulation: saliva and cervical mucus.
OvaCue Fertility Monitor provides you with a 98% accuracy and gives you 5-7 days advance notice of when your are fertile! Plus, it confirms ovulation for you.
By using a saliva fertility monitor like ClearBlue Fertility Monitor you time sex with high fertility days and peak fertility days with up to 97% accuracy.
Ava Fertility Bracelet
Ava bracelet uses the latest technology to monitor and track a variety of physiological signs your body gives before and after ovulation occurs.
It identifies an average of 5.3 fertile days a month simply by wearing the Ava bracelet while you sleep.
Fertility Apps
If you’ve just begun your trying to conceive journey, a fertility app is the best way to start!
If you’re actively trying to conceive with other ovulation methods, a fertility app will still help you track symptoms, BBT temperatures, and when to start taking ovulation tests.
Fertility apps will give you a way to track your period and tell you when you should be ovulating.
On top of that, many fertility apps offer extra features in which you can log symptoms and even join forums to connect with others who are trying to conceive.
The Best Fertility-Friendly Lubricants For Increasing Conception
No, you cannot use just any lubricant for sex.
Most lubricants on the market actually slow sperm movement making it harder for conception to occur.
Thankfully, you can purchase one of the following sperm-friendly lubricants to use while trying to conceive!
PreSeed
This is my go-to fertility-friendly lubricant when trying to conceive!
PreSeed comes with plastic applicators to help place the lubricant inside the vagina next to the cervix.
The lubricant works by mixing with your own cervical mucus to create a more hospitable environment for sperm.
This will help them swim better to find your egg.
Conceive Plus
Conceive Plus is an FDA approved sperm-friendly lubricant created by Harvard doctors!
It works just like PreSeed but has two additions- Magnesium and calcium ions.
Magnesium and calcium ions work to help keep the cellular vitality of sperm to assist with fertilization.
This lubricant can be applied like regular lubrication or with applicators.
Isolove BabyDance
This lubricant uses a patented sperm-friendly formula made without parabens to mimics pH, salt levels, and consistency of cervical mucus.
By using Isolove BabyDance studies have shown it…
- Allows sperm increased motility
- Helps maintain sperm’s DNA structure and quality
- Doesn’t interfere with sperms ability to fertilize an embryo
Isolove BabyDance goes through extensive testing to ensure a quality TTC lubricant that doesn’t harm sperm and increases its ability to reach and fertilize a waiting embryo.
Cervical Mucus
Yes, your own cervical is a great sperm-friendly lubricant!
But what happens when you’re experiencing vaginal dryness from fertility medication or lack of romance due to trying to conceive?
Vaginal dryness is an unpleasant side effect of many fertility medications.
However, lack of cervical mucus from medications doesn’t necessarily decrease your chances of conception, it’s just a really annoying symptom that doesn’t make sex very pleasurable.
FertileCM contains calcium, L-Arginine, antioxidants, and vitamin C to address three common associated with trying to conceive:
- Low amount of cervical mucus
- Thin uterine lining
- Low sex drive
Although FertileCM is a supplemental pill, not a lubricant, it in turn helps increase endometrial secretions to promote a thicker uterine and more cervical mucus production.
For more on fertility lubricants for TTC, CLICK HERE!
Things That Decrease Implantation Success
Now for the bad news! Implantation can be interrupted by common everyday items you may not know about.
If possible it’s important to remove as many of the following things as possible to increase your chances of conception success.
Anti-inflammatories
A study found taking anti-inflammatories after ovulation increased miscarriage rate by 80%.
Miscarriage rates increase with the use of anti-inflammatories because they prevent the uterine lining from developing a thicker wall.
It’s best to avoid anti-inflammatories all together after ovulation! Anti-inflammatory medication can be replaced with an acetaminophen medication like Tylenol.
Over-exercising
While you don’t have to skip exercising during the luteal phase or two-week wait, it’s best to take it easy.
Don’t push your body too hard and rest when you need it!
If you’re concerned about over-exerting yourself and interfering with implantation, try fertility yoga to promote fitness and relaxation.
Too much caffeine
Multiple studies point to an increased risk of miscarriage in women who consumed over 200 mg’s.
In fact, those who drank over 200 mg’s of caffeine doubled their risk of miscarriage.
In a 2011 study, the British Journal of Pharmacology discovered caffeine relaxes the muscles of the fallopian tubes.
When the fallopian tube muscles relax, an egg is not able to reach the uterus for implantation.
Too much gluten
The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research discovered that infertile couples have a high rate of celiac disease than those with no fertility issues.
That’s because celiac disease in women can lead to secondary amenorrhea and fewer ovulations.
In men, celiac disease lowers testosterone levels needed to make normal sperm.
While this is significant research… It should be noted the link between infertile couples and celiac disease is one of many issues affecting fertility.
If you’re exhibiting symptoms of celiac disease it’s important to talk with your doctor about the possibility of having the autoimmune disorder.
High levels of stress
When you’re experiencing extreme amounts of stress it affects your body’s ability to produce FSH and LH are greatly reduced.
Both FSH and LH are crucial for the development of mature eggs.
If you’re under stress and LH is decreased it could delay or cause your luteal phase to last longer than normal.
That means your menstrual cycle will become disrupted and implantation will not occur.
- ConceivePlus Fertility Prenatal Multivitamin
- UpSpring Baby Natural Prenatal Multivitamin
- Pink Stork Total Prenatal Vitamin
- FertilHerb Herbal & Multivitamin For Women
Use hot tubs
Women who are trying to conceive need to stray on the side of caution when it comes to heated environments.
It is best to abide by the same rules that pregnant women do…
Keep the temperature at 103 F or below!
Foods With High Amounts Of Mercury:
- Shark
- King Mackerel
- Tilefish
- Swordfish
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
Not eating a fertility based diet
The fertility based diet consists of the following diet rules:
- Avoid processed forms of soy
- Avoid sugary drinks (drink coffee and tea in moderation)
- Eat whole foods over processed ones
- Avoid artificial sweeteners and eat natural sugars instead
- One to two servings of full-fat dairy per day
- Eat more plant protein, less red meat, and more fish
- Substitute processed carbs for complex carbs
- Increase plant-based fats
Obviously, this is an extremely quick crash course! To better understand the diet just purchase The Fertility Diet book.
That’s literally all you need to increase your overall fertility and help with implantation.
For more information about things that decrease implantation CLICK HERE!
Tips For Surviving The Two-Week Wait
The two-week wait is defined as the timeframe after ovulation to your period or pregnancy if you’re lucky!
This timeframe during your cycle is the worst!
You will probably find yourself agonizing over whether you will get your period or if you are pregnant or not.
To make it through this stressful time, here are some helpful tips to get you through it!
Don’t Google anything
Sometimes it’s best to not look up early symptoms of pregnancy.
While it’s nice to keep those early symptoms in mind, it will not bring you any closer to a positive pregnancy test at the end of the two-week wait.
It will only manage to raise your stress levels about your upcoming period or possible pregnancy.
Keep yourself busy
Constant hoping and praying can only do so much. Sometimes you just have to wait on nature.
Which in this case is two weeks between ovulation and your period.
Try to focus your attention on other things. This is a perfect opportunity to learn and start a new hobby.
If you already have a hobby, then continue with it.
Anything that brings you joy and doesn’t allow you time to obsess over a possible pregnancy.
Stay away from social media
You don’t have to isolate yourself, but it’s important to eliminate stress wherever possible.
Studies found people who used multiple media outlets were three times more likely to develop anxiety and depression.
The quality of your time spent on social media is more important than the quantity.
Don’t tell anyone about your two-week wait
By telling friends and family about your decision to have a baby, you run the risk of countless questions and unsolicited conceiving advice.
Focus on yourself
Two weeks is a long time to be in limbo about possibly conceiving a baby or not. Take this two-week period to take care of your mind and body.
To take care of your mental wellbeing, find ways to reduce stress.
Don’t take an early pregnancy test
The hormone HCG is only present when you’re actually pregnant.
However, HCG levels normally take 7 to 12 days after implantation to be detected by an OTC pregnancy test.
If you take a pregnancy test too early, you run the risk of getting a false negative.
Meaning you are really pregnant, but your HCG levels are not high enough to register on a pregnancy test.
If you feel you can’t wait another minute to know for sure Clearblue Rapid Detection Pregnancy Tests allow you to test up to five days before your missed period.
Implantation or Period Symptoms?
Although it’s best not to agonize over the symptoms of implantation and your period during the two-week wait…
In case you are wondering about the difference between implantation or period symptoms, I’ve got you covered!
There’s not much difference between implantation or period symptoms, but there are subtle differences.
Still, be advised that you should not rely on symptoms of implantation to indicate pregnancy.
Always wait out your two-week wait until you can take a pregnancy test to know for sure.
Implantation symptoms
- Breast changes (particularly breast tenderness and swelling)
- High basal temperature
- Increased cervical mucus (white, slippery, and increased volume)
- Frequent urination
- Food aversions or cravings
- Fatigue
- Nausea (or just feeling sick)
- Implantation bleeding
- Pink or brown in color
- Blood volume is little (not enough to fill a menstrual pad)
- Normally lasts 24 to 48 hours
- Mild cramps (much milder than period cramps)
- Implantation cramping
- Tingling sensations
- Pulling sensations
- Prickling sensations
The signs for implantation look very similar to early period symptoms, which makes it confusing for many women.
The difference between the two all comes down to two clear signs: Nausea (with or without vomiting) and implantation bleeding.
But remember it’s always best to wait it out and take a pregnancy test around the time of your expected period!
Is It Time For Extra Help?
Most couples experience a successful conception in a year or less.
However, 1 in 8 couples suffers from infertility (myself included).
If you have been trying to conceive for over one year, do not wait to get help!
Once you’ve been trying to conceive naturally for a year, it is time to start looking into some extra help to aid conception.
Whether you try fertility supplements on your own or seek fertility treatment from a specialist, there are a multitude of natural fertility supplements to help you find TTC success.
Fertility Supplements For Conception
Red raspberry leaf
Red raspberry leaf decreases miscarriage risk while helping with embryo implantation.
This miracle tea also increases progesterone levels to further assist early implantation.
Red Clover
When you take red clover, it acts in the body like estrogen.
The hormone estrogen is essential for reproductive health.
Red clover increases estrogen surges that in turn cause your follicles to release an egg.
Red clover also increases blood flow and thins cervical mucus to give sperm a better fighting chance.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging Nettle increases conception by boosting iron levels to strengthen your uterus.
While also supporting uterus health, stinging nettle simultaneously strengthens the kidneys, liver, and adrenal glands.
If your kidneys, liver, and adrenal glands are healthy that means a healthier hormonal balance for you!
Stinging nettle can also remove harmful toxins that could interfere with conception.
Maca
When Maca is consumed it helps fertility by balancing hormones, specifically estrogen.
Without the proper amount of estrogen, you won’t have a regular period and your egg won’t be fertilized or implanted.
Mugwort
Mugwort works by generating increased blood flow to the uterus to aid in your natural menses rhythm.
While Mugwort is perfect for normalizing periods or returning absent periods, the taste is very bitter.
Chasteberry
With chasteberry/vitex the pituitary gland releases the perfect amount of hormones to give your reproductive system exactly what it needs.
If you experience PMS, irregular/missing periods, low progesterone, high estrogen, PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), or a short luteal phase, chasteberry may help you!
Evening primrose oil
Evening primrose oil contains a 5 fold benefit for your fertility.
It relieves PMS symptoms, tones the uterus, provides hormonal balance, improves organ health, and increases cervical mucus.
For a more in-depth look at herbal supplements for fertility, check out the article 7 herbal Supplements To Boost Fertility In Women
If you’re following a Keto lifestyle, CLICK HERE for 10 Keto supplements that help fertility
FertilAid for Women
FertilAid for women is a 2-in-1 formula that acts as a fertility supplement and a prenatal vitamin.
Yes, it has your complete daily value of folic acid, iron, and vitamin D, which are all essential for a (future) growing baby.
Along with these vital nutrients, FertilAid for women also contains…
- Chasteberry (Vitex) and Red Clover (balance hormones and regulate menstrual cycles).
- Beta-carotene, vitamin C, and E (increased egg health).
If you’re having issues with a regular menstrual cycle, FertilAid for women could regulate your hormones and cycles.
This can greatly increase your odds of conception simply by being able to pinpoint ovulation better.
OvaBoost for women
OvaBoost for women can be used alone or in conjunction with FertilAid for women to enhance the quality of your eggs.
While you can’t increase the number of eggs you have, you can increase your egg health.
The patented formula in OvaBoost is meant for women over the age of 30 or have been diagnosed with PCOS.
FertilCM
FertilCM for women is for anyone wanting to create a hospitable and fertile environment for sperm.
The natural formula for FertilCM allows sperm to enter the uterus more effectively.
It also strengthens the lining of your uterus to help with implantation.
For a closer look at these supplements for women read the article Must Have Fertility Supplements For Couples
Final Thoughts
Trying to conceive a baby is a tricky business.
Everything from timing, ovulation, fertility monitors and more becomes confusing and tiresome after a while.
But successful conception will come in time.
Unfortunately, it takes up to 12 months to conceive naturally.
Although 12 months is a long time, the wait and effort to have a baby are worth it!
If you and your partner do not conceive within one year, then don’t wait to seek help from a fertility specialist.
There’s no shame in getting help with conception through fertility medication, inseminations, and more.
While I encourage everyone to try everything they can to boost their fertility with all-natural supplements, all supplements should be discussed with a doctor.
I wish you the best on your trying to conceive journey and send you lots of baby dust your way!