If you are struggling to get pregnant, you are not alone. It happens to a lot of people, and when it does, it can feel like a stressful time, and annoyingly, stress doesn’t help you conceive and get pregnant, so it can feel like a double edge sword. Often you will be filled with hope, frustration, and often a lot of unanswered questions.
But, in a lot of cases, you will get pregnant, and with a few changes to your lifestyle and understanding of getting pregnant, you can put yourself in the best position to conceive. Sometimes it just takes a little longer than expected. So by adjusting your diet, understanding your fertility window, and seeking help (and looking at additional support like IVF Treatments) you can navigate the stress and soon be giving birth to your beautiful baby.
Below we have put together our guide on things to consider when you are struggling to get pregnant. Keep on reading for a few tips that could make the difference and hopefully change your luck.
Managing Stress
We just mentioned stress, as for a lot of people this can have a factor on whether you can conceive or not. While stress alone isn’t usually the sole cause of fertility issues, it can interfere with hormone balance, ovulation and even libido, all of which are key when trying for a baby. The tricky part is that trying to “just relax” can feel impossible when you’re actively hoping to get pregnant. Instead of putting pressure on yourself, focus on small, realistic ways to support your mental health as small changes can make a big difference. Although it can be easier said than done – be kind to yourself!
Setting Realistic Expectations
You aren’t taught a lot at school about getting pregnant, so for a lot of people they think it’s just the one action and then they will conceive. The actual fact is this is far from the truth, so setting realistic expectations can help in many ways – especially managing stress. Even for healthy couples, the chance of conceiving each month is around 20–25%. It’s completely normal for it to take time, and not falling pregnant straight away is not necessarily a sign that something is wrong.
Looking After Your Diet
Your diet has a big impact on many things in your life, and it will come as no surprise that it can affect you getting pregnant. What you eat plays a key role in supporting hormone balance, egg quality and overall reproductive health. This is why it’s important you try to be as healthy as possible. Drink plenty of water, and make sure you are eating fruit and vegetables each day. Leafy greens, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats such as avocado, nuts and oily fish can all make a difference.
Knowing When It’s The Right Time To Get Support
There is a right time and a not so great time to get help. When you first start, there is a small chance of getting pregnant straight away, so seeking help isn’t necessarily the right plan of action if it doesn’t happen in the first few months. In the UK, couples under 35 are generally advised to consult a GP after 12 months of trying, while those over 35 should seek guidance after six months. If you have irregular periods, known health conditions, or concerns about fertility, it’s worth speaking to a professional sooner.
Understanding Your Fertility Window
One of the most common misconceptions around conception is timing. Pregnancy is only possible during a relatively small window each month, typically the five days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself. What can help is tracking your cycle, so you know when you are ovulating, as this is when you have a chance of getting pregnant. There are apps that can help this, but the tests you can buy in the supermarkets are extremely accurate and the best way to go.
Exploring Underlying Health Conditions
Sometimes you can make all the changes in the world, but the root cause of why is actually down to an underlying health condition. Conditions such as hormonal imbalances, ovulation disorders, or structural issues can all make getting pregnant a lot harder, of which you may not realise but you have one of these conditions.
Conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Endometriosis are relatively common and can impact fertility, but with the right support and treatment, you can go on to conceive successfully. This is why it’s important you do see a professional after you have been trying for a while and not having any luck.
Looking after your physical wellbeing
Exercising regularly and making sure you are at a healthy weight can help. Your body functions best when it’s in balance, and factors such as weight, exercise and general health can all influence your ability to conceive. Try to exercise regularly as well as getting enough sleep. Cutting out any bad habits such as drinking or smoking can also help. For men, factors like overheating (from hot baths, saunas or tight clothing) can affect sperm quality, so making small adjustments here can help too.
When it comes to getting pregnant, doing the deed is often not enough – even though we are often taught it is. There are a lot of factors that go into getting pregnant, which is why it’s important you are kind to yourself and make the necessary changes to help increase your odds. Things like looking after your diet, managing stress and understanding your fertility window can all make a big difference.
How long have you been trying to get pregnant and have you started to seek help yet? Are there any chances you have recently made to your lifestyle to help increase the chances of you getting pregnant? Is there anything you would like to share that you think we should add to our guide on struggling to get pregnant? Let us know in the comment box below. We look forward to hearing from you.
