5 tips to help you fall pregnant

Trying to have a baby might sound like fun, but it isn’t always easy.

You’re born with all of your available eggs, and the amount and quality of your eggs starts to decline after you start your period. Your chance of conceiving naturally starts to decrease in your early 30s. Some people are choosing to freeze their eggs to safeguard their quality.

“For people younger than 35, the general rule is that if you’re not pregnant within a year, you should seek medical advice,” says fertility specialist, Dr Joseph Sgroi. “Those 35 and over should talk to their doctor if they’re planning on conceiving.”

There are some ways to increase the chances of conceiving:

Knowing when you’re ovulating can help you time your attempts to get pregnant.

“An egg can only survive for 12 to 24 hours after [ovulation].¹ Sperm can survive in the body for [about 5 days] after sex.² This leaves a small window of opportunity to conceive,” says Dr Sgroi.

You can track your cycle on an app to help you work out when you’re ovulating. Ovulation predictor kits are available over the counter at most pharmacies. These can also help you pinpoint when you’re most fertile.

If you’re a smoker, now’s the time to quit. Smoking can affect the fertility of both partners³, is linked to an increased chance of miscarriage, and can affect the long-term health of unborn babies⁴.

Your emotional wellbeing is also important.

“There is growing evidence that excessive stress may play a role in fertility. To help with your emotional health, consider meditation or yoga to learn stress-reduction techniques,” suggests Dr Sgroi. You can also talk to your GP about how to reduce stress.

If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, irregular or heavy periods, talk to your doctor.

“Fertility rates are affected in women who have a high or low BMI,” says Dr Sgroi. “There’s little evidence to show that following a particular diet will increase your chances of getting pregnant quickly. The best thing to do is eat a well-balanced diet, avoid heavy consumption of alcohol and reduce your caffeine intake.”

If you need help reaching your ideal weight, speak to your doctor.

Some pre-existing health conditions can affect your fertility.

“Any existing medical conditions should be discussed with your doctor before pregnancy,” says Dr Sgroi.

“This includes high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, anaemia, kidney problems, heart or liver disease.”

For musculoskeletal conditions, Dr Sgroi advises, “You may wish to consider physiotherapy, seeing a chiropractor or osteopath if you have a back injury or condition that may affect your pregnancy or the birth of the baby,” says Dr Sgroi.

Gynaecological conditions such as fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease, and endometriosis may also affect your chances of conception.⁵ Speak to your doctor if you have any concerns.

It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for your cycle to return to normal after stopping hormonal contraception.

“Once you stop taking the pill, your fertility should return almost immediately,” says Dr Sgroi. “This is because the effects of the hormones in the pill aren’t long lasting and your regular menstrual cycle should return. If you used to have a 28-day cycle, this will usually resume after stopping the pill.”

The same should happen after removing the NuvaRing or IUD, whether you’ve used the hormonal or non-hormonal intrauterine device. If you have any concerns about your fertility after coming off contraception, consult your doctor or other qualified health professional.