When you start trying for a baby, it’s easy to make assumptions or mistakes that actually lower your chances of getting pregnant. From misunderstanding your own ovulation to having too much or too little sex, find out the top errors couples make when trying to conceive.
1. Not Pinpointing Ovulation Properly
Whilst the average menstrual cycle is 28 days with ovulation occurring around day 14, not every woman conforms. Your specific ovulation day will be roughly 14 days before your next period starts. So if your cycles run between 24 and 30 days, you likely ovulate between days 10 and 16.
Home ovulation test kits detecting key hormones can accurately show your personal fertile days each month. Pay attention to ovulation signs like changes in cervical mucus too.
2. Only Having Sex on the Day You Ovulate
Once released, an egg survives just 12-24 hours. However sperm can live for 3-5 days inside a woman. So the 6 days encompassing the 4 days before ovulation, plus ovulation day and the day after represent your overall fertile window.
Maximise chances by having sex every other day during this timeframe. You need sperm ready and waiting for whenever ovulation occurs.
3. Having Sex Too Often
It seems logical that more sex equals higher pregnancy odds. But overly frequent ejaculation can reduce a man’s sperm count, needing a few days to recover.
Stick to sex every other day during peak fertility. This strikes the ideal balance between ensuring fresh sperm without overdoing it.
4. Obsessing Over Positions
No evidence shows any one sex position is better than another for conception. Sperm reach the fallopian tubes to potentially meet an egg within seconds regardless.
The liquid that leaks out afterwards is mostly fluids rather than sperm themselves. So simply enjoy what feels good rather than twisting yourselves into uncomfortable positions!
5. Maintaining Unhealthy Habits
Ideally adopt a healthy lifestyle incorporating exercise, weight management, limited caffeine and no smoking, drugs or excessive alcohol prior to pregnancy. This optimises all-round health for both partners.
6. Seeing a Fertility Specialist Too Soon or Too Late
Don’t rush off to a specialist if you’re under 35 and have only been trying 6 months. Up to a year is normal for healthy couples. If you’re over 35 see a specialist at 6 months.
Equally, if you have irregular cycles, prior infection, take over a year when under 35 or feel something’s not right, see your GP sooner. They can check for issues affecting conception.
7. Assuming Fertility Issues Are Female-Related
Around 40% of fertility problems come from men. Even if you don’t yet need specialist help, get your partner to have a semen analysis so you know his sperm health.
8. Leaving Parenthood Too Late
Fertility declines significantly as women age, particularly from mid-30s onwards. Whilst career and financial stability matter, if you’re in a relationship and family is a priority, start trying earlier rather than later.
9. Not Considering Your Weight
Being overweight or underweight can impact ovulation and sperm health. Achieve a healthy BMI before trying to conceive for maximum fertility.
10. Underestimating Existing Health Conditions
Thyroid disorders, PCOS, endometriosis – even seemingly unrelated conditions – can affect ability to conceive. Get any long term illnesses optimally managed.
11. Overusing Lubricants
Many standard lubricants can harm sperm. Use a lubricant such as Pre-Seed or Conceive Plus which don’t affect sperm quality when extra moisture needed.
12. Letting Stress Build Up
Anxieties over not conceiving quickly can hinder ability to get pregnant. Practise regular self-care, communicate with your partner and seek support to avoid undue stress.
Avoiding common errors like these and understanding your own ovulation patterns better immediately puts you in a stronger position. Stay positive and be kind to yourselves throughout the process. Maintaining intimacy and honesty together will serve you well on the path to future parenthood.
Photo by Candice Picard on Unsplash
Zoom Baby is a leading supplier of Pregnancy Tests and Ovulation Test Kits
