
7 Tips for Getting Pregnant Quick
Understanding the Impact of Birth Control
Birth control methods like oral contraceptive pills, injections, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and implants can temporarily affect your menstrual cycle and fertility. The extent depends on the type of birth control and how long you’ve been using it.
Hormonal Birth Control
Hormonal birth control prevents ovulation by thickening cervical mucus and thinning the uterine lining, all of which make it difficult for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg.
These changes make it difficult for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg. For many, hormonal birth control can also cause lighter, shorter, or less painful periods, while others may experience irregular bleeding or spotting.
Non-Hormonal Birth Control
Non-hormonal birth control methods, like condoms, diaphragms, and copper IUDs, create a physical barrier that prevents sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg.
The copper IUD releases copper ions that create a sperm-hostile environment, preventing fertilization.
Unlike hormonal birth control, these types of birth control have little to no effect on the menstrual cycle. However, many people do experience heavier, longer, and more painful periods when using a copper IUD.
How to Become More Fertile After Birth Control
When you stop birth control, for most, it does not take the body long to return to normal menstrual cycles. However, if you were placed on hormonal birth control to help with cycle regularity (e.g., history of PCOS), your cycles may resume irregularity after stopping. Speak to your healthcare provider if you do not resume regular menses within three months after discontinuing the birth control.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- For hormonal birth control, your cycle may resume immediately after stopping, or it may take a couple of months for your fertility to return to pre-birth control levels. Non-hormonal birth control, such as condoms or the copper IUD, does not suppress ovulation or fertility, so your fertility should return to normal right away. However, if you were using a copper IUD, you may want to wait until after your first period post-removal before trying to conceive. This can help ensure accurate dating of your pregnancy.
- Tracking your menstrual cycle as soon as you discontinue birth control can help you gain insight into your body’s natural patterns and fertile days. You can do this by monitoring your BBT and cervical fluid or using over-the-counter ovulation test kits.
- Don’t be discouraged if you don’t conceive immediately. It can take up to three months to get re-regulated after stopping birth control.
Note: If you have concerns about your fertility or are not conceiving after one year of trying (or six months if you’re 35 or older), consult with a fertility specialist for further evaluation and guidance.
Optimizing Fertility in Both Partners
When we talk about fertility, the first thing that comes to mind is the intended mother’s health. However, conception is a team effort, and both partners’ health and lifestyle play a role.
Boosting Male Fertility for Quick Conception
Male fertility depends on the quality (sperm motility and morphology) and quantity (sperm count) of sperm. Several factors can influence sperm health, including:
Lifestyle Factors
- Smoking: Men who smoke have a higher risk of sperm abnormalities and low sperm count compared to non-smokers.
- Excessive alcohol: Heavy drinking can lower testosterone levels, leading to reduced sperm production and erectile dysfunction.
- Drug use: Drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and opioids can impact sperm production, motility, and morphology.
- Obesity: Carrying extra weight can lead to poor sperm quality and quantity.
Environmental Factors
- Environmental toxins: Chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metals can harm sperm production.
Medical Conditions
- Varicocele: A varicocele is an enlarged vein in the scrotum that can damage sperm.
- Infections: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause infertility if left untreated.
- Hormonal imbalances: Conditions like hypogonadism, where the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone, can lead to low sperm count.
- Genetic Factors: Certain genetic disorders can affect sperm production and quality.
Additional Factors
- Age: Sperm quality and quantity tend to decline as men get older, similar to the age-related decline in female fertility.
- Medications: Some prescription drugs, like certain cancer treatments, can negatively impact sperm.
- Stress: Stress can interfere with the normal hormonal regulation of sperm production.
How to Improve Male Fertility
Sperm health isn’t something that can be changed overnight. But there are several steps men can take to support fertility and increase your chances of achieving a pregnancy:
- Quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption
- Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise
- Practice safe sex and get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) regularly
- Avoid exposure to environmental toxins and chemicals
- Manage stress through relaxation techniques, like meditation or yoga
- Limit exposure to high heat, such as saunas, hot tubs, and laptops on the lap
- Consider taking a male fertility supplement (under the guidance of a healthcare professional)
- Be choosy about the lubricants used during sex, as some can be harmful to sperm
Ensuring Effective Sperm Retention
The concept of “sperm retention” is often misunderstood. While lying down or elevating hips after sex may seem intuitive, there’s no scientific evidence to suggest it significantly improves sperm retention or fertility outcomes.
Having intercourse during the fertile window, particularly the few days leading up to and including ovulation, is the most effective way to increase the chances of conception.
Professional and Medical Interventions
If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for one year (or earlier if you’re over 35) without success, it may be time to consult a fertility specialist.
Signs of potential fertility issues include:
- Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
- Severe menstrual cramps or pain
- History of sexually transmitted infections or reproductive organ surgery
- Small, firm testicles or varicocele in males
- Difficulty maintaining an erection or low libido in males
- Family history of infertility
Exploring Fertility Treatments
When lifestyle changes and timing of intercourse don’t lead to pregnancy, exploring fertility treatments may be the next step.
Some common fertility treatments include IVF, ICSI, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and fertility medications like Clomid or letrozole.
Additional options include using donor eggs or sperm, gestational carriers (surrogacy), and embryo cryopreservation (freezing).
The Role of Supplements and Vitamins
In addition to making lifestyle changes, taking prenatal vitamins and certain fertility-boosting supplements can benefit both partners when trying to conceive.
Folic acid, for example, helps prevent neural tube defects (serious birth defects of the baby’s brain and spinal cord). Prenatal vitamins typically include folic acid and other essential nutrients like iron, calcium, iodine, and vitamin D, which support the baby’s development and prevent anemia during pregnancy.
For men, antioxidants like CoQ10, vitamin C, and zinc may also support male fertility by protecting sperm from damage and improving overall health.
Quick Tips for Boosting Your Chances of Getting Pregnant Fast
Here are a few quick tips for decreasing your time to get pregnant.
- Track your menstrual cycle and fertile window using ovulation test kits or fertility apps.
- Focus on having unprotected sex during your fertile window, particularly in the days leading up to and including ovulation.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and stress management.
- Be patient and kind to yourself — getting pregnant doesn’t always happen on the first try, even for healthy couples.
A Word from RMA
Whether you’re just starting to try or have been trying for a while, we’re here to guide you through the process, from understanding your menstrual cycle to accessing advanced fertility treatments, if needed.
You’re not alone in this; we’re committed to helping you build the family you’ve always dreamed of.