Thinking of Becoming Pregnant?
Family planning is a very exciting time, and couples may have some questions: How long with it take for me to get pregnant, when is the most fertile time, etc?
These are very common questions and we all want to get pregnant on our first try, right? Keep in mind that most couples need to “try” for several months, up to a year before becoming successful. For a woman under 30, the odds of conceiving are between 15-25% each month. When a woman reaches 40, her odds drop to 5% during a given month. Don’t be discouraged!
In addition to age, an irregular menstrual cycle, the amount of time you’ve been trying to conceive, illnesses or medical conditions and the frequency of intimacy all affect your chances of becoming pregnant. Keep in mind that if you’ve been trying to conceive for over one year and are unsuccessful, talk to your doctor about testing for male and female infertility issues.
Understanding your Menstrual Cycle
Understanding your menstrual cycle may help you conceive more quickly. A menstrual cycle begins on the first day of bleeding and ends of the day before the start of the next cycle. Cycles may be irregular and range from 21 to 40 day cycles. If your cycle length varies from one month to another, you are considered to have an irregular cycle. Ovulation occurs on the 14th day before the end of your cycle. This range of 4-5 days is your most fertile time.
However, due to variations in cycle, the window of most fertile days may vary.
The question now becomes: How often should we be intimate? The answer to that is really as often as you’d like! Even the best-calculated fertility windows do not guarantee success. Increase your “odds” by “playing” more often. Experts even suggest being intimate at least two to three times per week.
Find out the most fertile days of your cycle
Birth Control
There are many misconceptions that exist when a woman has been on birth control and ceases her medication. How long does it take for the effects of birth control to end? Many women have become pregnant immediately after going off their birth control medication. For others, it may take weeks, months or even years for the body to regulate itself.
If you are thinking of becoming pregnant, begin taking a prenatal vitamin that contains dosages similar to the following recommendation:
- 400g of folic acid
- 400 IU of vitamin D
- 200 to 300 mg of calcium
- 70 mg of vitamin C
- 3 mg of thiamine
- 2 mg of riboflavin
- 20 mg of niacin
- 10 mcg of vitamin B12
- 10 mg of vitamin E
- 15 mg of zinc
- 17 mg of iron
The nervous system develops in the first 28 days after conception and so it is very important to have enough nutrients prior to conception and to continue taking your prenatal vitamins for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.