If the couple prefers to use natural methods to increase fertility, they must organize their dietary habits. Their diet should include vitamins, minerals, as well as fibers in good doses. This will also reduce hormonal imbalances in the body, and help in the development of the fetus. Apart from this, the couple can also make use of methods such as, aromatherapy, herbs, and flowers to increase fertility. These methods are aimed primarily, at relaxing the mind. A relaxed mind will lead to a healthy reproductive system.

Aromatherapy uses the essential oils of plants, derived from its roots, barks, and leaves to sooth any muscular tension in the body. Stress is said be a common factor of reduced fertility in both men and women. Herbs can prove very beneficial in improving fertility in both the partners. Specific herbs, such as, wild yam are known to have given fertility of women a boost. Some herbs improve the hormonal imbalances, while some such as Dong Quai balances the level of estrogen in women. Flower therapy also makes use of the medicinal properties of various flowers such as, vervain and white chestnut to make the reproductive system healthy.

It is important that while trying to conceive, the woman takes food which is rich in vitamins and minerals. Therefore, leafy vegetables should be preferred. Zinc is an important mineral that should be a part of a woman’s diet. Lack of zinc in the body may lead to a reduction in the number of healthy eggs. Zinc has been scientifically proven to increase fertility. Protein-rich food is also beneficial, as it builds up the iron content in the body. In fact, intake of iron is extremely important during the course of pregnancy, as the lack of it might lead to a post-delivery anemia.

Calcium is yet another crucial component. Therefore, milk and cheese should be preferred. Fruits and vegetables such as oranges and broccoli are also an equally good source of calcium. They can also eat fish such as salmon or sardines as these too are rich in calcium. Fish, in fact, is also a very good source of the important omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly known for their ability to improve fertility. Medical practitioners however, caution against eating too much fish during the time of conceiving or pregnancy. This is because fish normally contain a high level of mercury. Studies have proved that mercury is extremely harmful to the fetus.

However, fish such as haddock, trout, and flounder have comparatively low level of mercury. Doctors recommend these fish as part of the woman’s diet. In case you want to avoid fish completely, you can take flax seeds as a part of your diet. Flax seeds are an alternative source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Fiber is yet another important aspect of a woman’s diet when she is trying to have a child. The need for fiber can be fulfilled through including pumpkin, peas, and whole grain breads into the diet. Woman should take folic acid in good measure. Folic acid is said to stimulate the development of the sex hormones in the woman’s body. Orange and lemon are good sources of folic acid.

Doctors suggest that women who are trying for a baby should drink lot of water, or maintain a high intake of fluids, including fruit juices.

While the above-mentioned components boost fertility and ensure successful pregnancy, there exist some food items that should be avoided during such a stage. For instance, intake of carbohydrates, in items such as bread or rice should be reduced or avoided. Drinks that have caffeine in them, such as coffee or soft drinks, also need to be avoided. Artificial sweetners should also be removed from the diet as it may affect the hormones adversely. It is extremely important that women do not drink or smoke during this period.

How you become pregnant

First off though, it is important to understand what is occurring during conception and to understand that it is not one singular event but a combination of several. Each month, you ovulate, or your body’s hormones stimulate the ovaries to release an egg. This generally happens on or around day 14 of your menstrual cycle, although this day can vary among women or even on a month to month basis. After the egg has been released, it will travel to the fallopian tubes. This is the optimum time for fertilization; you only have about 24 hours to unite the egg with a sperm. This does not, however, mean that you have 24 hours to have sex and get pregnant. Sperm can stay in the female reproductive tract for about two days, so it is best to engage in intercourse regularly during the days leading up to ovulation and increase your chances of becoming pregnant. If the egg becomes fertilized, it will travel to the uterus in about two-four days and there it will attach to the uterine lining. Congratulations, you’re pregnant! If this does not occur, the egg will break-down and you will simply have your period as normal.

How to know when is the best time to get pregnant

The key to getting pregnant, is knowing when your ovulation schedule is. This can be difficult for many women, especially if you have an irregular period. Some tools and methods that can be helpful in determining your peak times to get pregnant are the following.

Keep an eye on the calendar and know when your periods are and track them month to month so you can better predict your ovulation.

Look for changes in your cervical mucus. Just before you ovulate, a slippery clear mucus will appear and is it there to help the sperm have a better chance in reaching the egg, when this mucus turns a cloudy color, your chances of becoming pregnant are much more slim.

Monitor your basal body temperature (your body temperature when you are at rest), you will generally become warmer by approximately 0.5-1.6 degrees when you are ovulating, it is best to engage in intercourse for the few days before your temperature rises. There are also ovulation monitoring kits that you can buy over-the- counter for about 30-40 dollars, or more advanced ones that can cost up to 200 dollars. These test the urine for a surge of hormones that generally appears just before you ovulate. Another, more expensive, high-tech option is the ovulation wristwatch that monitors the sodium level in your sweat; these changes also reflect what is happening in your cervical mucus.

How to increase your chances of becoming pregnant

While knowing when you ovulate is the key to getting pregnant, it is also extremely important to make sure you take care of yourself.

Eating healthy, regularly exercising, and keeping your stress level low will help you as well.

Also, take your vitamins, especially your B vitamins, which are good for the baby and can help reduce the chances of them from suffering from neural tube defects.

Having regular sex, 3-4 times weekly, will increase your chances of hitting a fertile time period and for many couples, this is all they need to do. Increasing sexual intercourse to at least once daily during the 2-3 days before you ovulate will also increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

It is important not to smoke, drink alcohol, or uses any other kinds of drugs, prescription included, without first consulting a doctor. These things (especially the tobacco), can and will change the cervical mucus and make it more difficult for the sperm cell to reach the egg. If you are serious about becoming pregnant and becoming a mother, you would have to take these precautions anyway and it is better to make yourself healthier before you take on the responsibility of carrying a child for nine-months and then bringing them into the world.

How your partner can help

It is important to remember that you are not the only factor involved in whether or not you become pregnant. Your partner will also have some things that he should do in order to insure that his sperm have enough motility to reach the egg. While you are trying to have a baby, your partner should avoid wearing briefs and other tight apparel. He should also avoid Jacuzzi and hot baths. He is more likely be less fertile if he does not avoid these things. There are over- the-counter sperm fertility test available as well; these generally test the motility of the sperm rather than the actual count as a sperm analysis will do. These test are basic and if one says that your motility is bad, it’s bad and your partner should go and see their doctor and assess what there options are.

When to see a doctor

If you are under the age of 35 and you and your partner are both healthy and have been trying on your own for a year with no success, then you should see a doctor to see if there is an underlying medical problem that you don’t know about. If you are over the age of 35 you should see your doctor sooner, preferably before you start on your own to see what you can do to increase your ability to have children.