Trying to conceive can leave you with a lot of unanswered questions. Turns out, baby-making is not as straightforward as have sex and get pregnant. So here is how to get pregnant, from the experts.
From facing a low egg count to figuring out when you should really be having sex, the ins-and-outs (pun not intended!) of getting pregnant can be tricky.
So we spoke with two top fertility specialists, Dr. Serena Chen and Dr. Shahin Ghadir, to answer all of your burning questions.
In this article: 📝
- How often should I have sex?
- Can exercise affect my fertility?
- How important are prenatal vitamins?
- How much does age affect fertility?
- How soon can I start trying again after a miscarriage?
- Can I get pregnant with low AMH?
- If I had trouble conceiving my first child, will I have trouble conceiving my second?
How often should I have sex?
Contrary to what you might have heard, it really doesn’t have to be ten times a day (unless you want it to be!).
Sperm is designed to hang around for a few days, so the frequency of sex doesn’t actually increase your chances of getting pregnant.
“More isn’t necessarily better, especially if you don’t feel like it. Really, you just need to have sex two times in the five days before ovulation”, says Dr. Chen.
The best way to get pregnant?
If you have a 28-day cycle, you probably ovulate around day 14.
So make sure you get busy between the sheets a few times between day 10 and 14.
Can exercise affect my fertility?
Put simply: yes, in both good and bad ways. “Any excessive exercise that would cause you to stop having a menstrual cycle can be detrimental, as this affects your ovulation.
But exercise can also be really helpful for some women in regulating their cycle” says Dr. Ghadir.
Everyone is different, so you need to find a happy medium that works for you and your body.
How important are prenatal vitamins?
Seriously important. Who knew?!
“Folic acid is recommended for women trying to conceive. The first few weeks of pregnancy are really important, and this helps with baby’s development” says Dr. Chen.
And once you do become pregnant, there are a few others to think about, like iron.
How much does age affect fertility?
How old you are does make a difference to your chances of getting pregnant, but it’s not the be-all and end-all.
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“For women, your fertility starts to decline around the age of 35, for men, it starts around 40.” Says Dr. Chen.
“If you’ve been having unsuccessful unprotected sex for six months and you’re over 35, you should see a fertility specialist and get an evaluation. This doesn’t mean you’ll need treatment, but it’s good to get informed.”
If you’re under 35, it’s common to try for up to a year.
After that, book an appointment with a fertility specialist.
How soon can I start trying again after a miscarriage?
If you’re wondering how to conceive after a miscarriage - or when - remember that there really is no one-size-fits-all solution.
After experiencing loss, however you choose to grieve is valid.
Although it’s safe to have sex soon after a loss, Dr. Ghadir advises women to consider waiting for at least two cycles.
“Allow your body some time to recover, and after that, you can go ahead and start trying to conceive again.”
Can I get pregnant with low AMH?
ICYMI, your AMH level helps piece together a picture of your fertility as it indicates your egg count.
The higher your AMH level, the more eggs you have, and vice versa.
“A solid number is anything above 1, but it also depends on your age. If you’re thirty, 1.1 is quite low, but if you’re 42, 0.9 is really good.” says Dr. Ghadir.
Don’t know yours? Ask your doctor!
Having a low AMH doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant, as this level isn’t the only measure of your fertility.
For example, you could have a low AMH, but fantastic egg quality.
If I had trouble conceiving my first child, will I have trouble conceiving my second?
“Remember, for baby number two you’re always older, and age is a very powerful fertility factor.” says Dr. Chen.
She advises that if you had trouble with your first peanut, get yourself checked out with a fertility specialist.
That way, if it doesn’t happen straight away you’re clued up and ready to start treatment if you need it!
If you want some advice on your fertility journey, our Peanut moms recommend Tia – a primary care provider, gynecologist, therapist, and wellness practitioners, all rolled into one, offering guidance on everything from contraception to vaginal health, and, of course, fertility planning.
For more advice and support on your journey to conceive, join Peanut.