How to plan a pregnancy: a checklist for conceiving

At Fertilidad Integral, we know that the decision to start a family comes with a lot more to consider. How do you plan a pregnancy? Where do you start? When should you have sex, and how often? What else can you do to increase your chances of conceiving? As a future parent, you surely want the best for your future baby, so in this article, we’re going to give you the tools to provide every advantage from the moment of conception. Here is your checklist for conceiving.

1. How do you plan a pregnancy?

Before you start trying to conceive, you need to make sure everything is in order. It is extremely important that your first step is to see a specialist to map out the path ahead. Together, you can determine an action plan based on your health status and medical history. Some medical conditions (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, certain sexually transmitted diseases, and other ailments) can affect pregnancy, so it is essential to check them beforehand. The most important thing is that your health is in perfect condition before starting this process. To begin the journey toward pregnancy, there are some preconception care steps, such as taking prenatal vitamins and folic acid. The dosage of these supplements will increase once you have conceived, but taking them beforehand will help prevent nutritional deficiencies in the first months of pregnancy, premature birth, and certain birth complications.

2. The science behind a positive pregnancy test

It is essential to identify the fertility window in your menstrual cycle, which occurs between day 12 and day 16. To know exactly which day of your cycle you are on, we recommend keeping track or using an app to log your data. There are also home ovulation kits you can buy at the pharmacy. These work very similarly to pregnancy tests. Note that this test may not be accurate for people with certain conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Done! You have your ovulation days identified. Now, what you should know is that sperm can survive in the uterus for up to 5 days, so it is very important that at the moment of ovulation, the sperm are already there, ready to do their job: fertilize. The recommendation is to have sex during these days, and preferably before. Having sex two or three times a week after your period can help increase the chances of conception; however, couples with the highest success rate are those who have sex every day or every other day. If you have been trying for a while and haven't had success, in this post we explain when it is time to see a fertility specialist.

3. New life, new habits

How do you prepare for a pregnancy from within? To start, a balanced diet, free from processed foods and rich in fruits and vegetables, can do wonders for conception and your baby's health. If you want to know which foods to choose to give your fertility a boost, this blog has exactly what you are looking for. Likewise, try to exercise at least four times a week for about 30 minutes. Anything helps! If you aren't used to exercising, go for a walk for a few minutes and gradually increase the time. Last but not least: coffee, alcohol, and tobacco are counterproductive when trying to conceive and can cause problems during pregnancy. Stopping their use will prevent your baby from being exposed to harmful and addictive chemicals that can damage their health.

4. The perfect environment for birth

The uterus will be your future baby's home for nine months, but a home is more than that. Taking care of the environment in which you, as a future parent, live is just as important before your child's birth as it is after. Eliminating toxicity from your home is vital in this process. Limit your exposure to harmful substances and pollutants, but go a step further when it comes to toxicity. Having a healthy environment is just as important as avoiding synthetic chemicals. To welcome your baby into the best home possible, it is crucial that you and your partner, if applicable, are in a good place mentally. Experiencing worry, anxiety, or stress is very common during the conception process. Don't be ashamed to seek support from a mental health professional for yourself and your family. Additionally, there are many tools that can help you get through periods of crisis; yoga, meditation, and mindfulness are just a few of them. This is your checklist for conceiving; however, these are just some of the things to take into account before trying for a pregnancy. Recommendations may vary depending on each person's body and context. A personalized evaluation will be able to give you more information on the steps to follow.