All periods of life are described in cycles. We come into this world and are a new unit of society in the future, creating a similar continuation. For a sexually mature couple, this process is natural and the only thing that is required of them is not to use contraception during sexual intercourse. Nevertheless, in practice, more and more people are faced with the problem of conception. Every year, about 30% of young couples turn to doctors asking if they can’t get pregnant, what to do and what measures need to be taken to ensure that the baby is healthy.
The primary task is to figure out how to conceive a child the first time and whether this is possible in principle. We will also consider all effective methods for conceiving a baby of a specific gender.
How to choose the time to conceive?
In practice, the greatest number of pregnancies occur in spring and autumn. In autumn, the body is most fortified, and in addition, spring and autumn are the optimal temperature conditions for sperm, thanks to which they are most mobile.
The period of the cycle when pregnancy is most likely to occur is called the fertile period. It lasts approximately 6 days: five days before ovulation and one day after it. Ovulation occurs every month around the middle of the menstrual cycle. It can be determined using the method of measuring basal temperature . Immediately after ovulation, the temperature increases by 0.2-0.4 degrees.
The favorable period for pregnancy is: a couple of days before ovulation, and the day itself. By correctly calculating the day of ovulation and abstaining from sex a couple of days before conception, you will increase your chance of getting pregnant several times. Abstinence (but not more than 3-4 days) is necessary to improve sperm quality.
There is a simple recommendation for couples who want to get pregnant quickly: to have sex exactly during the ovulation period, when the female body is most ready for conception, to make love every other day between the 10th and 18th days (counting the first day of menstruation as the first day ) of your monthly cycle. Health portalwww.7gy.ru
However, one should not take a down-to-earth approach to the sacrament of the act of love. This will put too much pressure on the whole pleasant, romantic, non-violent process of conception. It’s best to simply have fun making love for several months a little before the expected date of ovulation. When you realize that for some reason you cannot get pregnant, consult a doctor.
So, for pregnancy to occur, the following conditions are necessary:
1. The body’s readiness as a whole to ensure the normal development of the fetus, which ensures the overall level of health.
Even if you consider yourself absolutely healthy, it’s a good idea to verify this again by undergoing an examination with a therapist, gynecologist, dentist, and maybe even a geneticist. It's time to start living a healthy lifestyle: get a good rest (optimally - spend a vacation in nature); “quit” bad habits; limit contact with household chemicals and the use of pharmacological agents as much as possible, because this can negatively affect not only the health of the expectant mother, but also the formation and development of the baby.
2. Maturation in the ovary of an egg capable of fertilization, ovulation, entry of the egg into the fallopian tube.
In order for this complex mechanism to work, a clear functioning of the hormonal system of the woman’s body is necessary. This system works best in women whose body weight is close to the medical norm.
Recently, the press has been persistently advising women who want to give birth to a child of a particular gender to adhere to a certain diet. How effective this method is in sex planning is unknown, because there are no scientific works on this topic, but one thing is certain; The diet of a woman who decides to become a mother must be balanced. The main guardians of the maturing egg are foods containing vitamin C: vegetable oils, eggs, grain bread, buckwheat and oatmeal, legumes, nuts. Sprouted wheat grains, including flakes and flour made from them, are richest in vitamin E. Another important vitamin is folic acid. 400 mcg of folic acid per day significantly reduces the likelihood of having children with disorders such as defects of the central nervous system and spine. Folic acid is sold in all pharmacies; it is also found in foods: fresh herbs (except parsley), cabbage, beets, carrots, potatoes with skin, bran, seeds and nuts. Taking folic acid before pregnancy significantly reduces the likelihood of birth defects. If you live in an iodine-deficient area, switch to iodized salt or take 100 mcg of potassium iodide per day. All this is only true if you do not suffer from thyroid disease: in this case, the doctor will give you individual recommendations. Without iodine, the thyroid gland cannot function normally; in women with reduced function of this gland, ovulation occurs very rarely. In addition, iodine deficiency can subsequently have a detrimental effect on the child’s mental development.
To protect yourself and your unborn baby, start taking multivitamins 2-3 months before conception. It is recommended to stop using oral contraceptives 2-3 months before planned conception. Sometimes, after long-term use of oral contraceptives, a complication occurs - the absence of menstruation and the possibility of conception for 6 months after stopping their use.
There are other reasons for ovulation disorders in women. Constant stress in a business woman can lead to a complete absence of ovulation while menstruation continues.
Ovulation disorders can also occur due to intense physical activity. There are two reasons for this. The first is a rapid loss of fat tissue, and the second is an increased release of endorphins - brain chemicals (these chemicals, by the way, are also called pleasure hormones). They can affect a woman's prolactin levels, and prolactin is a hormone that promotes successful breastfeeding but interferes with egg maturation. Is this why our grandmothers advised women who wanted to give birth to a child to lead a quiet lifestyle, play with children more often, sew beautiful children's things, and read children's books? All this “tunes” the body for conception.
3. A sufficient number of motile sperm in the sperm and their ability to fertilize the egg.
One of the main myths is the connection between potency and infertility. In reality, a man with very weak potency can have good sperm for conception, but the “sexual giant” may suffer from infertility. Moreover, too frequent sexual intercourse does not increase a couple's ability to conceive. The likelihood of conception during repeated sexual intercourse is reduced due to the fact that the second portion of sperm contains fewer full-fledged sperm, and the excess volume leads to its leakage from the woman’s vagina. When ejaculation occurs at long intervals, this is also bad. It is not so much the number of sperm that decreases, but their mobility - they no longer rush to the target so quickly. The optimal rhythm for the full maturation of sperm is the rhythm of sexual activity every other day (3 times a week) during the period of probable ovulation with desirable abstinence for 4-5 days the day before.
Of course, the likelihood of pregnancy depends on the quality of the sperm. And the main risk factor is a man’s lifestyle. Thus, low physical activity, sedentary work and excess weight, as well as smoking can lead to stagnation of blood in the pelvic organs of a man and inflammation. Spermatogenesis (maturation of sperm), like the female menstrual cycle, is regulated by the body's hormonal system. Therefore, if a man takes anabolic steroids (these hormones can be used to treat some diseases, but more often - to build muscle mass in men involved in sports), then the natural balance of hormones in the body is disrupted and leads to male infertility.
There is one more factor, characteristic only for men, that influences reproduction. This is overheating. The number of sperm produced in the testicles increases at temperatures that are slightly lower than general body temperature. It is known that those who visit the sauna twice a week have a statistically higher risk of developing male infertility compared to those who steam once a week. For the same reason, a man who wants to become a father should not wear tight underwear made of synthetic materials and tight trousers, as this can increase the temperature of the testicles. Any febrile conditions (high temperature) lead to a deterioration in the quality of sperm, and such a decrease in sperm quality can persist for up to three months - that is how long the maturation of each sperm in the testicle continues.
Weight and pregnancy
A sharp decrease in body weight by 10% per month, as well as a weight less than 45 kg with average height, leads to the cessation of menstruation. Researchers have found that body fat can actually produce and store estrogen, a hormone that prepares the body for pregnancy. But not only low levels of this hormone are bad, but also high levels. Therefore, if you are overweight, try to lose weight, but only gradually, no fasting!
Another common and quite dangerous risk factor for infertility in men is chronic stress. From a biological point of view, offspring should be born in the most favorable environmental conditions. This regulation is ensured by the close relationship between the reproductive system and all other systems of the body, primarily the nervous system.
4. Normal environment in the vagina, uterine cavity and fallopian tubes, ensuring active movement of sperm.
If you want to get pregnant, do not use vaginal lubricants. They sometimes contain substances that change the acid-base environment of the vagina and destroy sperm. If you can't do without them, try using egg whites during those few days a month when conception is possible, unless, of course, you are allergic to chicken eggs. Egg white has the least effect on sperm motility and survival.
Any infection in a woman’s genital tract, as well as the use of various vaginal medications, antibacterial and scented hygiene products, and douching also disrupts the acid-base environment in the vagina, which also reduces the chances of pregnancy.
5. “Meeting” of the egg with sperm and optimal conditions for the fusion of germ cells.
The most favorable time for sexual intercourse for the purpose of fertilization is when ovulation is about to begin, because the mucous lining of the cervix becomes extremely sensitive, and sperm have enough time to enter the fallopian tubes, where they wait for the moment of ovulation. With regular sexual activity and a regular menstrual cycle, there is no need to specifically calculate this moment. However, there are times when it would be nice to know the exact date of ovulation. The simplest and most accurate method is to use special test strips to determine the level of luteinizing hormone. Modern tests look and use the same as pregnancy tests. The test strip must be placed under a stream of urine; the appearance of two stripes indicates ovulation. In addition, the day of ovulation can be tracked by ultrasound, changes in basal body temperature (temperature measured in the rectum), using a special device based on the pattern of saliva crystallization, or by the calendar method.
Another important point for the “meeting” of the sperm and egg is the position during sexual intercourse. There is no connection between the gender of the unborn child and the position during conception, no matter how much we would like it, but you can increase the likelihood of conception with the help of position. The mechanics of sexual intercourse determine which area of the vagina the sperm reaches. In some positions (for example, a woman on top or a standing position) it can be difficult to achieve deep penetration of the penis, so some of the sperm will simply be lost. The “man on top” or “man behind” position will be optimal. It is better if a woman lies on her back with her legs raised for 20-30 minutes after intercourse. Laziness in this case may be more useful than any position during sexual intercourse.
Of course, the most important thing is that sex gives you joy and pleasure. If a woman reaches orgasm, the likelihood of conception is higher: due to the contraction of the cervix during orgasm, sperm are literally drawn into the uterus.
6. The unhindered passage of the embryo through the fallopian tube and its entry into the uterine cavity, the readiness of the uterine mucosa to “accept” the embryo.
In addition to the anatomical features in a woman’s body, the use of intrauterine devices on the eve of conception can have a negative impact at this stage. After removal of the IUD, it is recommended to refrain from conceiving for 2-3 cycles to restore the functioning of the uterus and fallopian tubes and, therefore, reduce the risk of spontaneous miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.
Advertising
How often to make love to get pregnant faster?
It has long been believed that a man should abstain from sex for a few days before a woman's most fertile period so that he can store more seminal fluid. This is partly true. Research shows that the more often a man ejaculates, the less semen he produces.
But it is important to note that the properties of sperm depend on the frequency of sexual intercourse. The more sexual intercourse and ejaculations, the better the main factor for conception is sperm motility.
At the same time, several acts a day have the opposite effect - the concentration of sperm is significantly reduced.
Does this mean you need to make love every day to increase your chances of getting pregnant? Not at all.
Couples who have intercourse every other day during their fertile period have almost as high a conception rate (22%) as those who do it every day (25%). But for couples who have sex once a week, this percentage drops to 10, since they may simply miss the main point when they can get pregnant faster.
Four or more acts per week constitute the optimal rhythm for conception. With abstinence, starting from the fifth or sixth day, this possibility decreases.
The optimal lovemaking schedule to get pregnant quickly: sex every day before the fertile period and every other day in the middle of the menstrual cycle.
Signs for those dreaming of getting pregnant
Some women wait a long time for the birth of their baby, but not always everything happens by chance. Someone believes in signs, beliefs, omens...
Remember, if you really want something, the whole Universe will help make your wish come true!
Paulo Coelho
Novel "The Alchemist". 1988
Folk signs and advice:
- think about the speedy addition to your family, forget about infertility. It is believed that our thoughts are material, and sooner or later, what we think about comes true;
- turn to God in prayer to conceive a healthy child. If you adhere to the Orthodox faith, pray to the Matrona of Moscow, the Mother of God, and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The Almighty powers will definitely help you;
- adopt a child from an orphanage. There were cases when, after this, a couple who could not have children expected a replenishment as soon as possible;
- try to let go of the situation, and the wish may come true;
- try on a pregnant woman’s clothes, drink from the same glass with her, stroke her belly. Many believe it aids conception;
- If a kitten comes to you, shelter it. And expect a replenishment soon;
- remember your dreams. Shortly before pregnancy you may dream of a fish;
- Keep the blessed willow (willow) branches for a whole year until the next Palm Sunday. This tree is considered a symbol of fertility;
- Don't tell anyone about your plans to conceive. This is the secret of the spouses. The only exception can be the attending physician;
- Drink holy water before conception.
Among the more or less objective ones, you can find the following advice: have sex at 2 am, it is believed that this is the best time for conception, when hormonal levels reach their peak.
In the traditions of the first wedding night, the ancient Slavs had to place a baby or a child's doll on the bed of the newlyweds.
Is position important during conception?
Sperm have a special means of transportation - a flagellum - and move very quickly, overcoming many obstacles, so conception is possible in any position. When seminal fluid enters the vagina, millions of sperm rush up to the uterus and are there in just a few minutes. Some sperm leaks out after intercourse; this is completely natural and there is no need to worry about it.
BUT: with various features of the shape and position of the uterus (bending, posterior deviation, etc.), the position during ejaculation can significantly help . If you press your legs towards your stomach, the contact of sperm with the cervix will be maximum. For women with a curved uterus, a position in which the partner is behind is better.
If you raise your hips immediately after ejaculation, less sperm will flow out and most of it will work.
You can also partially ignore the opinion about the need to lie on your back for half an hour after sexual intercourse, placing a pillow under your hips or raising your legs up, but this is only if the woman is in absolute health and has ideally high-quality sperm. After completing sexual intercourse, you should not jump up and run about your business. Place a pillow under your thighs and rest for about ten minutes. You can also stand on your shoulder blades in the birch tree pose.
What is the process of conception?
Before a child is conceived in the mother’s body, a full-fledged egg must mature in the woman’s ovaries. This process takes about two weeks and ends with ovulation. After the follicle ruptures, the mature female reproductive cell, which has a round shape and resembles the yolk of an egg in appearance, is captured by the fallopian tube.
The egg itself cannot move; the villi of the fallopian tube help it move. At the same time, sperm move towards them, the path of which runs from the woman’s genital tract through the uterus into the fallopian tubes. If the “meeting” occurs under favorable circumstances, a child is conceived. This becomes possible when the following factors coincide:
- By the time the sperm enters the fallopian tube, the egg remains viable. The lifespan of a female reproductive cell is 12–24 hours (it is for this reason that the most favorable days for conceiving a child are the period of ovulation).
- The sperm must “get” to the egg. Given their tiny size, they have to cover a huge distance in a very short time. And among the sperm, not all of them move in the correct way (forward), have a sufficient life expectancy and are able to penetrate the egg (conceive a child).
- The sperm, having reached the egg, binds to its shell using special receptors. After this, a special bubble in the head of the sperm (acrosome) bursts, which dissolves the shell of the egg and penetrates inside. However, many sperm do not recognize the egg, and this reaction does not occur. And in some sperm, on the contrary, this reaction occurs spontaneously, before meeting the egg.
- After the fusion of sperm and egg, a zygote is formed and the first cell division occurs, which takes from 6 to 12 hours. Further division leads to the growth of the zygote and its increase in size.
- The fetus slowly moves along the fallopian tube to the uterus and, in the absence of obstacles, reaches its target and is implanted into the loosened and prepared wall of the uterus.
However, even when conception occurs, pregnancy does not always occur. In the case of adhesions, an ectopic pregnancy may occur (the zygote will not be able to reach the uterus); in the case of late ovulation, the future fetus will not be able to attach to the mucous membrane, which has already undergone changes and prepared for menstruation, or due to disturbed hormonal balance, the endometrium is not adapted to the attachment of the egg . As you can see, not only successful fertilization is important for conceiving a child and achieving pregnancy.
How to improve sperm quality?
The future father needs to lead a healthy lifestyle: give up bad habits, do not drink alcoholic beverages, steroids, eat right and follow a work-rest schedule.
A man should not wear tight underwear or take hot baths. A man’s testicles are located outside the body for a reason: to produce full-fledged sperm, a temperature one degree lower than body temperature and pendulum movements of the testicles are required. Strong physical activity will also negatively affect the quality of sperm.
Interesting facts about conceiving a child
How to conceive a girl?
When a risk of transmitting a certain disease only to male offspring is discovered, parents try to conceive a girl. There are many methods with unproven effectiveness. Today, a 100% known method is preimplantation genetic diagnosis; it is practiced only in combination with IVF. A woman's egg is taken and placed in a medical container, fertilization occurs, and after 3-5 days information appears about what gender this person will be. The embryo can be examined for pathologies.
True, the technique is not used in all countries. To comply with ethical standards, such diagnostics are performed strictly according to doctors’ indications.
To increase your chances of conceiving a girl, you need to have sex 2 days before expected ovulation. To accurately calculate ovulation, you can use pharmacy tests.
In addition, today you can plan the gender of your child based on blood type and Rh factor; your doctor will be able to tell you about this.
Certain eating habits also increase the chances of pregnancy with a girl. For example, for this, the expectant mother is recommended to limit the consumption of potatoes, meat, sugar, and salt for several months. Calcium and magnesium should predominate in the diet. It is useful to eat vegetables such as carrots, beets, onions, and cucumber. In the women's menu for conceiving a girl, you cannot do without rice, seafood, eggs, milk and fruits, with the exception of peaches and bananas.
How to conceive a boy?
It will be useful for mom and dad to know that the likelihood of conceiving a male child is higher if intimacy occurs strictly on the day of ovulation or immediately the next day. There is also a method of planning a boy according to blood. It turns out that women's blood is renewed every 3 years, men's every 4 years. It is believed that whose blood turns out to be younger at the time of conception, the offspring will be of that gender.
It is also interesting that women who receive good nutrition more often give birth to sons, and with poor nutrition, daughters. To predispose your body to conceiving a boy, you need to focus on foods with potassium and limit, as far as possible, calcium and magnesium. It is recommended to constantly salt food and eat canned cucumbers, fish, legumes, rice, mushrooms, sausage and egg whites.
Fruit drinks or pure fruits, such as peach, banana, dates, are useful for conceiving a boy. Also include teas and bicarbonate mineral water in your diet. When planning a son, you should consume less dairy products, nuts, green beans, chocolate, baked goods with milk and eggs, cocoa, seafood, and calcium mineral water.
What if pregnancy does not occur?
Don't panic if you can't get pregnant quickly . First of all, it should be remembered that at least a month must pass after stopping oral contraceptives. If you have been using the birth control pill Depo-Provera, it may take you six months to a year until your ovulation returns to normal.
Experts recommend that women under 30 years old not to worry if they cannot get pregnant within a year .
If you are older, the difficulty of getting pregnant increases, so you should not delay in seeking medical advice. Here's what experts recommend following: women aged 30 to 35 years old should visit a doctor 6-9 months after unsuccessful attempts to become pregnant, 35-40 year old women should consult a doctor after 6 months of unsuccessful efforts, and women over 40 years old should consult a doctor. after three months of having unprotected sex.
Psychological attitude
One of the main factors influencing conception is the psychological attitude of future parents. Stress, overexertion, and negative emotions can reduce the ability to conceive a child, since the nervous and reproductive systems are interconnected. Stress often occurs due to countless unsuccessful attempts to conceive.
If a woman's level of stress hormone is higher than normal, this reduces the likelihood of conception by 12%.
For successful conception, it is important to think positively and avoid stress.
Rid yourself of negative thoughts. Try to communicate less with people who make you uncomfortable. Live in hope for the best. At the peak of irritation, try to stop and imagine a cloud of your favorite color above you, which passes through you from head to toe and thereby brings you to calm. Remember, this moment will definitely come, and you will look into the eyes of your little child and feel yourself in the role of a loving and needed mother.
How to properly prepare for pregnancy?
To increase your chances of conceiving, you need to follow a few simple rules.
Medical examination
An examination by a specialist involves an examination of the expectant mother or both spouses. The doctor will give useful recommendations regarding your health and the health of your unborn child. For example, you will learn what vitamins you need to take so that your baby is born healthy and you remain strong and strong.
Healthy lifestyle
Principles of a healthy lifestyle for an expectant mother
In order to properly conceive a child, a woman who plans to become pregnant soon needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
What does this concept include?
Balanced diet
Proper nutrition with sufficient amounts of fruits, cottage cheese, vegetables, meat, fish. The body of the expectant mother should receive all the necessary vitamins and nutrients, and without abuse.
Moderate physical activity
Systematic exercise, walking or fitness.
Complete cessation of smoking and drinking alcohol
Women and men who smoke are less likely to have healthy offspring. Alcohol addiction contributes to the birth of a sick child who is lagging behind in mental development, and other pathologies are possible. Is it worth risking the normal development of your baby?
Healthy lifestyle for the future father
Men must also comply with a number of conditions in order to preserve their reproductive qualities:
- Avoid tight-fitting clothing (do not wear too tight swimming trunks or jeans);
- Use the sauna less frequently and wear seasonally appropriate clothing to avoid overheating. Overheating of the testicles reduces the release of normal semen,
- remove your mobile phone from your trouser pockets.
Diet
This is not about starvation. Fasting is generally contraindicated. It is necessary to lose excess weight that interferes with pregnancy. Severe thinness will also not lead to the desired result. Therefore, a balanced diet is the best way to conceive a healthy child.
A woman should divide her diet into 6 meals, which means she needs to eat 6 times a day, most of the menu should consist of vegetables and fruits. Do not forget that some fruits and berries, such as citrus fruits and strawberries, can cause allergies.
Study your monthly cycle
You need to study the features of the menstrual cycle in order to calculate the time when you can get pregnant.
Find out when ovulation occurs
How quickly you get pregnant depends on whether you are sexually active during ovulation. The female reproductive cell matures approximately in the middle of the cycle. Its lifespan is short, only 1-2 days. It is necessary to have sex 2-3 times during the week in which ovulation occurs.
However, this method is not accurate: the maturation of the egg may slow down due to illness, severe stress, or hormonal imbalances. In addition, determining the exact date is difficult during menopause, when menstruation becomes irregular.
Track your basal temperature
Another secret to conceiving quickly is choosing the time for sex based on changes in basal temperature. This indicator allows you to more accurately determine ovulation than calculations based on cycle duration.
Body temperature should be measured in the vagina. You should pay attention to the observed changes: during the maturation of the egg, the values will be higher.
Let's consider the physiological prerequisites for conception
The concept of “getting pregnant quickly” is quite relative.
Not every couple achieves the desired result in the first six months after the wedding. In young girls, the egg is more viable, but the hormonal background is not always favorable for conception. Women over 30 are often fine with these components. After 40, reproductive functions fade away, men know this, so couples rush to have children while they can. But young women are often interested in what to do to get pregnant the first time. Each girl or mature lady has her own circumstances:
- a long break between the first and second marriage in the absence of intimate relationships;
- minimal repeat chances of having sexual intercourse;
- couples work separately on shifts or on long business trips in different geographical locations;
- guest marriage (spouses visit each other while living in different countries or remote regions);
- difficulties in persuading your lover to marry or at least spending one night with him for the sake of a child from your beloved;
- a successful man can only marry a woman who is able to give him a son, etc.
Each option is a good reason to know how to get pregnant right away. Sometimes couples wish to give birth after a long period of hormonal contraception. At the same time, the female reproductive system “rested.” It takes some time for the ovaries to produce full-fledged material again on the prescribed days (ovulation).
Lie down for a while, or “birch tree”
If you're wondering how to conceive a baby the first time, there are some slightly absurd tips to consider. But many women follow them. And at the same time, they assure that the methods really help conception.
For example, most representatives of the fair sex note that after unprotected sexual intercourse it is recommended to make a “birch tree” without getting out of bed. Or rather, carefully move towards the wall and lean your outstretched legs against the wall. And raise your pelvis a little. “Birch” is an exercise that is also often used. How to conceive a child the first time? Various methods are offered. It is advisable to combine them all.
Instead of the described process, doctors recommend not getting out of bed immediately after intercourse. It is best to lie down for 15-20 minutes. And only after that you can go to the shower. This way, the most active sperm will not come out of the vagina with excess sperm.
