Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

We're Not Getting Pregnant

My husband and I having been trying to conceive for a year and a half. Is there anything we can do to increase our probability of getting pregnant?

Answer:

There are some basics you can pursue if you haven't already.



Charting your cycles is a good place to start because it helps you "take stock" of where you're at. It can give you clues and insight to what's going on with your body if your cycles are irregular - and even if they aren't.

For example, ovulating less than 12-14 days before your period could indicate a luteal phase defect, which can often be corrected naturally.

You can also have your husband's sperm tested. A sample is easy for him to give and can help you both know if there may be issues on his end.

I highly recommend you work on your nutrition as well. Getting in healthy fats is vital - choose fats healthy human mothers have traditionally eaten. Butter, olive oil, and coconut oil are some examples. Stay away from "modern" fats like soybean and corn oils.

Adding nutrient dense foods like shellfish, liver, dairy products, and eggs is a good idea. Women studied in cultures that emphasized such foods had easy conceptions and easy births (and made plenty of milk)

Be sure you're getting some sort of physical activity in regularly. This is not grueling or boring workouts. I mean something along the lines of regular walking, or swimming or a yoga routine. Regular activity like this will help improve your blood circulation and can also improve the quality of your fertility signs (especially cervical fluid)

I strongly believe it's also important to take a look at your attitudes and beliefs, and any fears you may have. If you find yourself feeling jealous of other women who are pregnant or have babies, the negativity can influence the functioning of your own body!

You may also want to look at any beliefs (such as "children are very expensive" or "children can't have a good relationship with their parents") - beliefs like these are often unconsciously formed and they can work on a subconscious level to prevent conception. Fears can work the same way, and fears (such as not being a good mother) are often rooted in false beliefs. Everyone can benefit from taking a look at their fears, beliefs, and attitudes as they prepare for conception (and throughout all the rest of life!!)

Since you've been TTC for a year and a half you may want to visit your doctor and have some tests run. That can rule out anything like structural abnormalities.

If you get the rather common "unexplained infertility" line, take heart - there's a good chance you can conceive. Continue to improve upon the things outlined above. If you want detailed info on analyzing your own issues and an in-depth plan for getting pregnant (naturally), Lisa Olson has done a great job in her resource Pregnancy Miracle.