Let's Talk Fertility: 10 Tips for Getting Pregnant

Deciding to start a family is an exciting and emotional time for parents. While trying for a baby may sound simple for some, others may need more time to take this step and access support along the way. We have pulled together our science-backed tips for getting pregnant to help women and their partners explore their options and help them conceive.

1. Understand Your Cycle & Ovulation

When you start trying for a baby, the first thing to understand is your body. You know your body better than anyone else, and now you’re about to learn a whole lot more! Tracking your menstrual cycle and identifying your fertility window will make your attempts to conceive more precise. 

A woman’s cycle is on average 28 days however, it is normal to have shorter or longer periods than this (21-35 days). You are most fertile 12-16 days before your period starts. This would be the ideal fertility window to try for a baby.

Mums have shared their tips for getting pregnant and mentioned that purchasing ovulation test kits, fertility apps, and getting a fertility check were the best ways to understand how your body works and if you need any further interventions to help you conceive. 

2. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Your diet can play a huge role in helping you conceive. Tips for getting pregnant mention to eat a healthy, balanced diet with a focus on fertility boosting foods. It’s just as important to focus on changing any unhealthy habits that can hinder trying for a baby such as limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, and getting enough sleep.

Exercise is a fantastic way to keep fit and reduce stress. Combining this with foods to improve ovulation will help you to conceive naturally without intervention if there are no other complications.

3. Prioritize Fertility-Boosting Foods

When you and your partner are trying for a baby, try to include foods that boost sperm count and fertility in your diet. Nutrition is key to preparing your body for pregnancy and your baby’s development, which is why fertility vitamins, on top of a healthy diet, are recommended to support this.

Add leafy greens like spinach and kale to your meals and choose whole grains over other types of carbohydrates. Here is a list of foods that aid fertility and boost sperm count to get started:

4. Consider Fertility Supplements

The recommendation from healthcare professionals is that you take multivitamins for trying to conceive before and during pregnancy. This makes sure that you are giving your body the best chance to fall pregnant and develop a healthy baby. 

Fertility vitamins like Vitamin D, iron, and folic acid are encouraged and in some cases prescribed to women who are trying for a baby or need extra help to conceive. 

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a nutrient and antioxidant that is already present in our bodies, but a supplement can assist further energy production within cells. Talk to your doctor for advice if you feel this is a supplement you would benefit from due to your age, medications, or underlying health conditions.

Does folic acid help in conceiving?

According to the NHS, folic acid has not been proven to help you conceive. However, it's recommended to start taking folic acid as soon as you begin trying for a baby and continue through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, as it supports the healthy development of your baby's brain and spine.

5. Time Intercourse Strategically

Tips for getting pregnant include finding the right balance between timing and frequency of intercourse. Couples who have sex regularly when trying for a baby are more likely to conceive. The most fertile window is around ovulation (typically 12-16 days before your period) so aiming for intercourse every 2 to 3 days during this time can increase your chances.

Sperm can survive in the fallopian tubes for up to 5 days, waiting to fertilize an egg once it’s released.

Morning vs. Evening

The time of day does not matter regarding fertility, ovulation, or sperm count. The differences are so minimal that the time of day would not have an impact on your fertility window. Use an ovulation test to find out when your ovulation occurs.

6. Reduce Stress and Prioritise Mental Wellbeing

Stress can cause your hormones and bodily functions to start working against you and this can decrease your chances of falling pregnant. Tips for getting pregnant and looking after your mental wellbeing are:

• Gentle exercises such as walking and yoga

• Practice meditation to control your breathing (also good practice for labour!)

• Seek help when you need support through therapy and talking to others

• Journaling can be a therapeutic way of documenting your feelings as you navigate your journey when trying for a baby

When we feel stressed, our cortisol levels increase, which can have a negative effect on the body. You may experience increased inflammation, gut health declines, you feel unwell, and it can also affect ovulation and menstruation. 

Making some lifestyle changes to reduce stress can help you to conceive.

7. Remember Your Partner

Women can take steps to improve their fertility but also men can play their part to increase the chances of falling pregnant. Tips on getting pregnant also include supporting men with sperm health and identifying changes they can make to improve this which will help to conceive.

• Quitting smoking

• Avoiding hot tubs

• Eating foods that boost sperm count

• Be a healthy weight

• Avoid drinking alcohol and/or energy drinks

• Take supplements to bridge gaps in nutrition

You are both a team with an end goal - support each other to increase your chances when trying for a baby.

8. Consider a Fertility Check

Fertility testing is available to everyone, even if you’re not ready to have a baby yet. It can be a useful way of understanding your body and what steps you may need to take if you have a lower fertility rate. It can also give you peace of mind if you have any concerns about your own health or hereditary medical conditions that can impact your fertility.

If you have been trying for a baby for over a year, seek advice and book a fertility test.

9. Know When to Seek Professional Help

Some factors make it harder to fall pregnant, such as being overweight, advanced maternal age, medical conditions, and so on. If you have been trying for a baby for some time without success, speak to your doctor about next steps.

A woman’s body is most fertile in her late teens through her 20s. While many women in their 30s and beyond can still conceive naturally, both the quantity and quality of eggs gradually decrease with age. This decline becomes more noticeable by the mid-30s and continues to accelerate into the 40s.

If you're facing challenges, treatments like IVF and other fertility support options may be available to help. Seeking help is a positive step forward, and it is important to remember, you're not alone—many people go through this journey, and with the right support, there are plenty of paths to parenthood.

10. Be Patient & Kind to Yourself

Everyone’s journey is different, there is no one-size approach that works for everybody. Be patient and trust the process. Keeping yourself informed and educated on tips for getting pregnant will help you on your way to conceiving. 

Seek support if you need further tips for getting pregnant from your doctor. Having open conversations can not only support your mental well-being but also bring you closer to the right steps for you.

The Bottom Line

We hope that these tips for getting pregnant prove useful to you and your partner and give you that friendly support. Increasing your fertility is a mixture of timing, nourishing your body and looking after your well-being, which can feel like a tricky balancing act amongst everything else! 

Talk to medical professionals and friends to get help to conceive, and be open-minded when trying new methods to increase your chances of trying for a baby. Start with a few of these tips and give your body the gentle support it needs to welcome new life.