Suggestions for trying to conceive

Now that I'm a mom, my best suggestion if you are trying to get pregnant is to borrow somebody's colicky baby for a week and then borrow somebody's toddler for a week and then re-evaluate whether you really, really want to do this. But, if you are still on board, I've found or heard of a few things that are pretty helpful for people trying to get pregnant. Here they are:

1. The book Taking Charge of Your Fertility.

Taking Charge of Your Fertility, 10th Anniversary Edition: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health

This is a great book to get your started understanding your own body and what may be going on with your body.

This is the most important step. Many people have a lot of misperceptions when it comes to how to get pregnant. A good friend of mine was told by her doctor to have sex on day 14 of her cycle. This is pretty common advice. She tried that for two years with no luck. She read this book and realized her fertile time was on about day 20 and got pregnant the first cycle after reading this.

To really try to help yourself, you should know really how this all works and what goes on in your body.

2. http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/

This site has pregnancy tests and ovulation tests at WAY cheaper prices than the pharmacy. If you're having trouble, there's no reason to bankrupt yourself buying these things. One caveat is that the instructions for the cheapie ones are included on a piece of paper. Don't lose the paper.

3.

This lady did the most amazing thing. She actually tried all the pregnancy and ovulation tests and rated them and put pictures. So, if you've ever had that "is this positive or maybe I'm just looking at it in the wrong light" moment, check out her website.

4. B vitamins.

Seriously. They can be really helpful for getting all your wonderful womanly hormones in line.

5. Relax.

Especially if you are having trouble, this is one of the hardest things to do, but one of the best. My suggestion is to think of reasons you shouldn't be getting pregnant right now. Start some sort of project. Its truly amazing to me how your body will helpfully get pregnant when you are more interested in something else.

6. Exercise/Don't exercise.

Whichever you have been doing, do the opposite.

7. http://www.preseed.com/products.php

Pre-seed is a lubricant that is supposed to create a sperm-friendly environment. Check out the reviews, though. Some people have had incredibly good luck with it and some people have gotten a yeast infection. I probably think its worth a try if you are having trouble. Treatments for potential yeast infections are available over the counter. But, people really like this stuff.

8. Learn patience.

The hardest part of trying to conceive is that two week period between the attempt and the test that will let you know your results. There is NOTHING you can do during this two week period to give you the answer. People will tell you that they knew the minute they got pregnant, but they didn't really. They had hope.

Don't spend that two weeks trying to read tea leaves and asking close friends how they knew. Go for walks, check out a movie, enjoy yourself. You can't know until you take the test and you can't take the test until about the time of your period. If you take it too early, you will just disappoint yourself.

9. Don't panic until you have relaxed.

This is especially hard for people who have had miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies, people with one ovary or fallopian tube, or people who are thinking about their age. But, bodies are amazingly resilient.

I am convinced that a lot of the fertility problems we see these days have more to do with stress than anything. There are tons of people who can attest to this as they have struggled and the minute they have a child through artificial insemination or adoption, they get pregnant. The relaxation is the key. An ectopic or miscarriage is not going to doom your chances. You just have to give your body time to rest and repair, so don't try again too soon. Talk to your doctor.

10. Don't get anything too expensive.

There are special vitamins that are really pricey. I don't recommend them. A good prenatal and some vitamin B is a key. Also, there are all sorts of tests you can buy to check you and your man out that are kind of pricey. I don't recommend that either. Save your cash.

If you really get to the point where you're getting desperate, go to the doctor and have them help you spend the cash. A good doctor will start you out with less expensive and less invasive tests and meds then move you up. But, try some of the other stuff first.

Always make sure you're staying healthy. Eat right. Do yoga. Try accupuncture. Healthy and relaxed people get pregnant faster.