For couples looking to conceive, there are pieces of information that the couple should be aware of. Some couples do encounter issues trying to get pregnant and therefore, it is important to have an understanding of what is going on and what to expect.
What should you know about fertility and conception? For some couples, trying to conceive can be a challenge so it might be helpful to have some information about fertility and conception prior to starting. First, it is a good idea to have a pre-conception check-up with your doctor to talk about your plans to conceive. You and your doctor can review your medical history to ensure there are no health concerns. This is also a good time to make sure you are up to date on your vaccinations, as many vaccinations are not suggested during pregnancy. Start to take folic acid now. Your chances of having a baby with a neural tube defect is drastically reduced ( 50-70%) if you take at least 0.4 mg of folic acid every day, starting 2-3 months prior to trying to conceive. Many women decide to start taking a prenatal multivitamin as most of them have the required amount of folic acid.
Tracking process. Tracking ovulation is another helpful tip as there is only a small window of opportunity for conception each month. An egg is only viable for about 12-24 hours. Sperm is able to live for 3-6 days so it important to know when you expect to ovulate. There are different ways to predict ovulation so you can choose the right method for you including: * Watch the calendar as ovulation usually occurs about halfway through your cycle. * Another method is to pay attention to your body as many women will have some twinges of pain in the lower abdominal area on the side where ovulation will occur. * Charting your temperature is another way to predict ovulation. Your basal body temperature will change throughout your cycle and is a predictor of ovulation. If you select this method you will need a basal body thermometer. * Many women choose to buy an ovulation prediction kit. These kits detect a specific hormone that peaks just before ovulation, about 12-24 hours before. Regardless of the method that you choose, it is very important to predict ovulation because there really is just a small window for fertilization each month.