A Guide for Couples Trying to Conceive: Steps, Tips, and Support Options
Starting the journey toward conception can be exciting, hopeful, and, for some, challenging. Many couples find themselves full of questions about the best ways to enhance their chances and what to do if things don’t go as expected. In fact, about 10-15% of couples experience some form of fertility difficulty. Like many aspects of pregnancy, conception is something that is rarely talked about in the larger scope. We want to highlight what those on their trying to conceive (TTC) journey may experience, and ways to get support no matter where you are in the process!
Understanding the Basics of Conception
For many couples, understanding the body’s natural cycle is the first step in a successful conception. While everyone’s body is different, here’s a simplified breakdown of the process:
Ovulation: This is when an egg is released from the ovary. Tracking ovulation helps determine the most fertile days, typically around the midpoint of a menstrual cycle.
Fertilization: Fertilization typically happens within 24-48 hours of ovulation in most cases. The egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube as it travels to the uterus to implant and begin growing.
Implantation: This stage is when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall and begins to grow. This typically takes place 5 to 6 days after fertilization. At times, you may experience a bit of spotting, which is called “implantation bleeding.” While jarring, this can be completely normal for some pregnant people!
Timing Intercourse: Conception is most likely to happen if intercourse occurs a day or two before ovulation to ensure the sperm has plenty of time to get where it needs to go! However, it never hurts to continue trying after ovulation as well. Apps and ovulation predictor kits can help track these days, and everybody has a different rhythm and cycle, so keeping track of your timeframe ensures the best success!
Healthy Lifestyle Choices: A healthy body helps immensely in the process of conception. Exercise, balanced nutrition, and minimizing stress all contribute to reproductive health. If something is out of balance (blood sugar, hormones, stress levels, etc.), it may result in difficulty becoming or staying pregnant. If you have health concerns or pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, PCOS, etc., talk to your doctor as soon as possible when beginning your TTC journey.
Tips and Tricks for Improving Chances
While there are no guarantees, the following tips may help boost your chances of conceiving:
Track Your Cycle: Regular cycles are a key indicator of ovulation timing. Many couples benefit from tracking their cycle over a few months to spot patterns and make decisions based on those patterns for when to TTC.
Prioritize Nutrition: Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, complete protein, and healthy fats can support reproductive health. Keeping blood sugars as balanced as possible creates a stable and healthy environment for new life to take hold!
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Regular exercise, good sleep, and avoiding smoking or heavy alcohol consumption all positively impact fertility.
Consider Timing: Engaging in intercourse every other day during the fertile window can help maximize the chances of conception without creating undue stress. It can be tricky to keep the fun and romance involved when you’re TTC - make sure you make room for more than just the science and timing of it all!
Reduce Stress: Easier said than done, but relaxing activities like meditation, yoga, or even a favorite hobby can help keep stress levels low. Stress creates higher levels of cortisol and epinephrine, both of which make it more difficult to get pregnant at high levels.
Seeking Support if You’re Facing Challenges
If a couple has been trying for a year without success (or six months if over 35), they may consider consulting a fertility specialist. Options range widely, including:
Fertility Testing: This includes checking hormone levels, conducting ultrasounds, and evaluating factors that may impact fertility for both the carrying and non-carrying parent.
Medications and Treatments: Some couples may benefit from treatments like hormone therapies that support ovulation. Medications such as Clomid and Ovadrel (also known as “the trigger shot”) can help ensure ovulation on a certain day/time frame if utilizing tests and timetables at home has not been successful. (Some studies say taking Mucinex to thin your cervical mucus may help you conceive as well, however please consult with a medical professional prior to taking any non-prescribed medications as you are TTC.)
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART): Methods like in vitro fertilization (IVF) can help couples facing specific challenges. IVF is a procedure in which an embryo is removed from the carrying partner, fertilized with the non-carrying partner or a donor sperm, incubated outside of the body, and re-implanted within the uterus.
Support for Lifestyle Adjustments: Some health professionals focus on lifestyle adjustments that might support fertility, often including nutrition, exercise, and mental wellness plans. If your body is trying to take care of something vital for survival (like blood sugar, hormonal imbalance, mental health episode, etc.) the energy needed to successfully conceive is being re-directed elsewhere, thus making it more difficult to conceive. If you are wondering about your own lifestyle choices and if they could be interfering with your ability to conceive, talk with your trusted medical professional.
Statistics on Fertility Issues
Fertility challenges are more common than many realize. About 1 in 8 couples experience some degree of difficulty conceiving. Both partners play an important role in fertility, with roughly one-third of fertility challenges arising from issues in the female reproductive system, one-third from the male reproductive system, and the rest from a combination of factors or unknown causes. These “unknown causes” can be some of the most frustrating for couples, but knowing that you are not alone in the difficulties can be helpful. If possible, find forums or support groups for couples TTC and share your stories - it’s helpful for you, and those around you to speak up on the challenges you may face!
Remember to Find Balance and Support
Trying to conceive can sometimes feel overwhelming, so finding balance is essential. Whether through supportive networks, professional counseling, or simply leaning on each other, connecting emotionally is a key part of this journey. Ensuring you have a deep and wide support network of friends, family, medical providers, and other support persons (such as a doula, herbalist, massage therapist, acupuncturist - the supports that work for YOU are what’s best!) can make any challenge you face throughout your TTC journey seem less daunting.
What about once you ARE pregnant?
Congratulations! If you’ve made it to the pregnancy stage, there’s a whole new set of challenges and beautiful things to experience! Keeping that network of support close is so important and will continue to be as you progress in your pregnancy. Some tell you to wait 12 weeks before telling others that you’re pregnant due to the lessened chance of miscarriage after 12 weeks, however many who have been on a TTC journey for a year or more may decide that they want to tell their supports sooner rather than later. No matter when you choose to share the joyous news, know that there is no right or wrong way to do so, and it’s totally up to you!
If you have questions about TTC, or want to talk about your pregnancy, please contact us today. We’d love to hear more about how we can help you in the beautiful, amazing journey you’re on!