When to conceive a baby
Conceiving a baby - Better Health Channel
Most women under the age of 40 years who want to become pregnant (conceive) will achieve this within 12 months of starting to try. Here we explain how you can improve your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby.
Planning for a baby
If you are planning to become pregnant, it’s important that you and your partner (if you have one) are as healthy as possible before you start trying. Your GP can help with a pre-conception health check .
A pre-conception health check usually includes:
- a medical history and a general examination
- blood tests to check your haemoglobin level, blood group, immunity for German measles (rubella) and chickenpox (varicella), hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- tests for any sexually transmissible infection (STI)
- advice about lifestyle changes that will improve the chance of pregnancy and the health of the baby (lifestyle factors you may need to change include your weight, physical activity, alcohol consumption, recreational drug use, and whether you smoke)
- advising about folate and iodine supplements before conception and during pregnancy for the health of your baby
- referral to a specialist if either partner has a pre-existing medical condition that might affect the chances of pregnancy, or pregnancy health
- a review of any prescription medicines either partner may be taking
- referral for genetic counselling if needed
- information about health services and choices of pregnancy care.
Your Fertility has some useful fact sheets about how to best prepare for pregnancy. On the Your Fertility website you can complete the Healthy Conception Tool for personalised information about what you can do to improve your pre-conception health.
Timing and conception
To conceive, you need to have sex in the five days before you ovulate, or on the day you ovulate. This is called the ‘fertile window’. When the fertile window occurs depends on the length of your menstrual cycle.
Most women know when ovulation is approaching because they notice changes in their normal vaginal discharge, which becomes clear and slippery. Learn more about the fertile window and work out when yours occurs.
Age, fertility and conception
The most important factor for the chance of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby is the woman’s age. Fertility starts to slowly decline around age 32. By age 35, the fertility decline speeds up and by age 40, fertility has fallen by half.
The effect of men’s age on fertility is less dramatic but is an important factor too. Men aged 45 and older are less fertile, and some health conditions are more common in children with older fathers.
Find out more about the effects of age on fertility and pregnancy health.
Weight, fertility and conception
Being overweight or underweight can cause hormonal changes that interfere with ovulation and reduce fertility. On average, women who are obese take longer to conceive than women in the healthy weight range and are more likely to experience infertility.
In men, obesity can lower fertility. This is likely due to a combination of factors including hormone problems, problems with erection or other health conditions linked to obesity.
Find out more about the effect of weight on fertility and pregnancy health.
Diet, exercise and conception
There is no special diet that improves the odds of conception, but a healthy range of foods that includes lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats is recommended.
Vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) are essential for the body to function. Read more about the benefits of vitamins and minerals for fertility and pregnancy health, including folate, iodine, vitamin D, zinc and selenium supplements.
Regular exercise also improves fertility. Australian and international guidelines recommend you do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity – such as brisk walking, gardening or dancing – on most but preferably all days of the week. If possible, do some vigorous activity – such as running, fast cycling or fast swimming – every week as well.
For men and women who are overweight or obese, exercise can help to prevent further weight gain or achieve a modest weight loss that improves general health and fertility.
As part of weight management, international guidelines recommend that overweight or obese adults do 225-300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week (this works out to about 35-45 minutes per day).
Tobacco, alcohol and drug use and conception
Tobacco, alcohol or recreational drug use reduces the chance of becoming pregnant. If you become pregnant and continue to smoke, drink alcohol or use recreational drugs, it can affect the health of your baby at birth and into adulthood.
Smoking and pregnancy
Smoking in pregnancy or exposure to second-hand smoke reduces fertility and increases the risk of pregnancy complications. To improve your own health and give your baby the best start in life, quit smoking before you try for a baby, and encourage your partner to do the same.
Quitting smoking can be very difficult, but there is help available. Read about the benefits of quitting and visit Quit for advice about how to kick the habit.
Alcohol and pregnancy
Alcohol can reduce both male and female fertility; even drinking lightly can reduce the likelihood of conception. In men, alcohol can impair fertility because it can cause impotence, reduce libido and affect sperm quality.
It is not clear what effect drinking small amounts of alcohol can have on unborn babies, but it is well known that high alcohol consumption can be harmful. The more alcohol consumed, the higher the risk to the unborn baby.
Binge drinking (more than six standard drinks on one occasion) can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, small birth weight, and foetal alcohol spectrum disorder ( FASD).
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, not drinking alcohol is the safest option.
Drug use and pregnancy
Prescription medication and recreational drug use can potentially affect the health of the unborn baby. If you take prescription medication, speak to your pharmacist or doctor before trying for a baby.
Having trouble conceiving?
If you haven’t conceived within 12 months, there may be a fertility problem. About one in seven couples in Australia experiences infertility.
Fertility difficulties can be due to:
- female fertility problems (about 40 per cent)
- male fertility problems (about 40 per cent)
- both male and female fertility problems (about 10 per cent)
- unknown cause (about 10 per cent).
Female fertility problems include:
- problems with ovulation, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- blocked fallopian tubes
- endometriosis.
Male fertility problems include:
- poor sperm quality
- blockage of the spermatic cord, which is the tube that transports the sperm from the testis to the penis
- ejaculation disorders.
If you have trouble getting pregnant, talk with your GP who can refer you for tests to find out the cause of your problem. Find more information about causes of infertility and treatment options from the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority.
Where to get help
- Your GP (doctor)
- Jean Hailes for Women’s Health
- Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand
- Healthy Male
- Your Fertility
- Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority Tel. (03) 8601 5250
- Direct Line – drug and alcohol counselling, information and referral service Tel.
1800 888 236 - Alcohol and Drug FoundationTel: 1300 85 85 84
- Women’s Alcohol and Drug Service, the Royal Women’s Hospital Tel. (03) 8345 3931
- Quitline Tel. 13 78 48
- Billings LIFE Tel. 1800 335 860
Conceiving a baby - Better Health Channel
Most women under the age of 40 years who want to become pregnant (conceive) will achieve this within 12 months of starting to try. Here we explain how you can improve your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby.
Planning for a baby
If you are planning to become pregnant, it’s important that you and your partner (if you have one) are as healthy as possible before you start trying. Your GP can help with a pre-conception health check .
A pre-conception health check usually includes:
- a medical history and a general examination
- blood tests to check your haemoglobin level, blood group, immunity for German measles (rubella) and chickenpox (varicella), hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- tests for any sexually transmissible infection (STI)
- advice about lifestyle changes that will improve the chance of pregnancy and the health of the baby (lifestyle factors you may need to change include your weight, physical activity, alcohol consumption, recreational drug use, and whether you smoke)
- advising about folate and iodine supplements before conception and during pregnancy for the health of your baby
- referral to a specialist if either partner has a pre-existing medical condition that might affect the chances of pregnancy, or pregnancy health
- a review of any prescription medicines either partner may be taking
- referral for genetic counselling if needed
- information about health services and choices of pregnancy care.
Your Fertility has some useful fact sheets about how to best prepare for pregnancy. On the Your Fertility website you can complete the Healthy Conception Tool for personalised information about what you can do to improve your pre-conception health.
Timing and conception
To conceive, you need to have sex in the five days before you ovulate, or on the day you ovulate. This is called the ‘fertile window’. When the fertile window occurs depends on the length of your menstrual cycle.
Most women know when ovulation is approaching because they notice changes in their normal vaginal discharge, which becomes clear and slippery. Learn more about the fertile window and work out when yours occurs.
Age, fertility and conception
The most important factor for the chance of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby is the woman’s age. Fertility starts to slowly decline around age 32. By age 35, the fertility decline speeds up and by age 40, fertility has fallen by half.
The effect of men’s age on fertility is less dramatic but is an important factor too. Men aged 45 and older are less fertile, and some health conditions are more common in children with older fathers.
Find out more about the effects of age on fertility and pregnancy health.
Weight, fertility and conception
Being overweight or underweight can cause hormonal changes that interfere with ovulation and reduce fertility. On average, women who are obese take longer to conceive than women in the healthy weight range and are more likely to experience infertility.
In men, obesity can lower fertility. This is likely due to a combination of factors including hormone problems, problems with erection or other health conditions linked to obesity.
Find out more about the effect of weight on fertility and pregnancy health.
Diet, exercise and conception
There is no special diet that improves the odds of conception, but a healthy range of foods that includes lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats is recommended.
Vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) are essential for the body to function. Read more about the benefits of vitamins and minerals for fertility and pregnancy health, including folate, iodine, vitamin D, zinc and selenium supplements.
Regular exercise also improves fertility. Australian and international guidelines recommend you do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity – such as brisk walking, gardening or dancing – on most but preferably all days of the week. If possible, do some vigorous activity – such as running, fast cycling or fast swimming – every week as well.
For men and women who are overweight or obese, exercise can help to prevent further weight gain or achieve a modest weight loss that improves general health and fertility.
As part of weight management, international guidelines recommend that overweight or obese adults do 225-300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week (this works out to about 35-45 minutes per day).
Tobacco, alcohol and drug use and conception
Tobacco, alcohol or recreational drug use reduces the chance of becoming pregnant. If you become pregnant and continue to smoke, drink alcohol or use recreational drugs, it can affect the health of your baby at birth and into adulthood.
Smoking and pregnancy
Smoking in pregnancy or exposure to second-hand smoke reduces fertility and increases the risk of pregnancy complications. To improve your own health and give your baby the best start in life, quit smoking before you try for a baby, and encourage your partner to do the same.
Quitting smoking can be very difficult, but there is help available. Read about the benefits of quitting and visit Quit for advice about how to kick the habit.
Alcohol and pregnancy
Alcohol can reduce both male and female fertility; even drinking lightly can reduce the likelihood of conception. In men, alcohol can impair fertility because it can cause impotence, reduce libido and affect sperm quality.
It is not clear what effect drinking small amounts of alcohol can have on unborn babies, but it is well known that high alcohol consumption can be harmful. The more alcohol consumed, the higher the risk to the unborn baby.
Binge drinking (more than six standard drinks on one occasion) can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, small birth weight, and foetal alcohol spectrum disorder ( FASD).
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, not drinking alcohol is the safest option.
Drug use and pregnancy
Prescription medication and recreational drug use can potentially affect the health of the unborn baby. If you take prescription medication, speak to your pharmacist or doctor before trying for a baby.
Having trouble conceiving?
If you haven’t conceived within 12 months, there may be a fertility problem. About one in seven couples in Australia experiences infertility.
Fertility difficulties can be due to:
- female fertility problems (about 40 per cent)
- male fertility problems (about 40 per cent)
- both male and female fertility problems (about 10 per cent)
- unknown cause (about 10 per cent).
Female fertility problems include:
- problems with ovulation, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- blocked fallopian tubes
- endometriosis.
Male fertility problems include:
- poor sperm quality
- blockage of the spermatic cord, which is the tube that transports the sperm from the testis to the penis
- ejaculation disorders.
If you have trouble getting pregnant, talk with your GP who can refer you for tests to find out the cause of your problem. Find more information about causes of infertility and treatment options from the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority.
Where to get help
- Your GP (doctor)
- Jean Hailes for Women’s Health
- Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand
- Healthy Male
- Your Fertility
- Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority Tel. (03) 8601 5250
- Direct Line – drug and alcohol counselling, information and referral service Tel.
1800 888 236 - Alcohol and Drug FoundationTel: 1300 85 85 84
- Women’s Alcohol and Drug Service, the Royal Women’s Hospital Tel. (03) 8345 3931
- Quitline Tel. 13 78 48
- Billings LIFE Tel. 1800 335 860
media about INVITRO.
#6(25) 2010
Nona Hovsepyan, Medical Consultant, Independent Laboratory INVITRO
Only 25% of couples manage to conceive a child in the first month of unprotected sexual activity. How to become one of the lucky ones?
1. Review your diet
No weight loss programs: eating low-calorie foods negatively affects fertility hormones. Part of estrogen (female sex hormones) is synthesized not only in the ovaries, but also in adipose tissue. Less fat means less estrogen. Try to eat more vegetables, fruits, and fiber-rich foods (wholemeal bread, rice, and pasta). Folic acid, essential for both conception and pregnancy, can be found in leafy green vegetables such as kale, broccoli, or spinach.
Proteins and iron, which affect the general condition of the ovaries and the mechanism of ovulation, are found in large quantities in legumes. A source of calcium that a baby will definitely need is dairy products. And in order for the body to receive omega-3 fatty acids, which provide blood flow to the uterus, it is recommended to include salmon in the diet. Vegetable fats are useful - "suppliers" of vitamin E, which, by the way, should be taken at least three months before the planned conception. It is better to refuse sweets: an increase in blood sugar provokes an excessive release of adrenaline, a hormone that “attacks” progesterone, which is useful for conception.
2. Stop smoking
Trite, but effective. In men, nicotine reduces spermatogenesis, that is, it delays the formation of spermatozoa and impairs their mobility, and in women it reduces the level of estradiol, the most active sex hormone. According to a study published by the British Medical Association, smoking even one of the couple reduces the chances of getting pregnant by 10-40%.
In addition, this habit reduces sexual desire and causes a lack of orgasm. So give up cigarettes yourself and try to avoid secondhand smoke in public places.
3. Check first aid kit
During ovulation, do not take anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics: they negatively affect the hormonal balance. Decongestants and antihistamines can cause vaginal dryness and thickening of cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to move.
Taking antibiotics provokes a violation of the bacterial flora in the vagina: you have to wait 1-2 cycles with conception. After the end of any drug therapy, it is worth leaving attempts to get pregnant for a month, since the removal of drugs from the body lasts several weeks. Important: this does not apply to vitamins, in the period of preparation for pregnancy they will be very useful!
4. Track your ovulation
It is more customary, of course, to start a calendar and count the 14-16th day from the beginning of menstruation.
But it is better and more reliable to use special tests: ovulation can occur on other days of the menstrual cycle, especially if it is irregular. Do not forget about the well-known method for determining ovulation - measuring basal temperature. To determine the nature of ovulation, you need to carry out this procedure for 3-5 menstrual cycles.
5. Maintain the rhythm
Abstaining from sex for more than seven days may reduce male fertility. This has been proven by scientists. At this time, the amount of sperm increases, but not its quality. However, in men who have an intense sex life, the quality of sperm also suffers - it simply does not have time to be produced. The optimal mode is sex 3-4 times a week.
6. Maintain posture
The most favorable posture depends on how the woman is "arranged". If the uterus is in the middle position or tilted forward from the small pelvis, there are no restrictions. And with the uterus tilted back (retroversial position), spermatozoa may have difficulties.
In some cases, doctors recommend lying on your stomach, in others, lifting your hips up. When sperm enters the vagina, only diseases of the cervix can interfere with sperm. The flow of part of the "extra" sperm after sexual intercourse is completely natural.
7. Call your parents...
...to learn about possible genetic and hereditary diseases in the family. Regardless of the information received, it is worth going to a consultation with a geneticist. The specialist is able to detect hidden problems that can have a negative impact on conception, pregnancy or the health of the unborn baby. Children with congenital defects can also be born to completely healthy parents due to disorders in the germ cells.
8. Manage physical activity
Any kind of aerobic activity - dancing, cycling, swimming, even walking - makes the heart and lungs work harder, and oxygen-rich blood is carried throughout the body, including the reproductive system. Doctors advise to pay attention to strengthening the back and abdominals, but physical activity should not be intense.
A couple of months before the intended conception, it is better to slow down the pace. Active training causes a protective reaction of the body: it is not up to pregnancy, all efforts are directed to the development of muscles, the excessive tension of which leads to a reflex change in the contractile activity of the fallopian tubes and uterus. This may interfere with fertilization.
9. Visit doctors
It is necessary to check for the presence of various chronic infections: toxoplasmosis, chlamydia, cytomegalovirus, herpes. Before conception, you need to cure these diseases and undergo a rehabilitation course. During pregnancy, due to a physiological decrease in immunity, all “hidden” diseases can appear. Go to the dentist: gingivitis and periodontitis (inflammation of the gums) interfere with the normal functioning of sex hormones. Underweight or overweight in women: both lead to irregular cycles and disruption of ovulation. It does not hurt to check at the clinic whether all routine vaccinations have been made: it is more than undesirable to get measles or rubella during pregnancy.
10. Be careful with "chemistry"
Certain chemicals found in household products can cause hormonal imbalances. If the substance smells strongly, you need to wear a mask when cleaning. It is better to prefer liquid cleaners to aerosols. Do not remove stains on clothes at home: take things to dry cleaning.
11. Do not overheat partner
The optimal temperature for sperm maturation is about 2 degrees below the general body temperature of a man. To ensure this temperature in the groin area, underwear should be made from natural materials and have a free form. Wearing tight pants, synthetic underwear, hot baths, saunas, heated car seats can interfere with fertility.
12. Learn to relax
Even in the most busy schedule, you need to find time to relax. Any pastime in the company of a loved one is a long-tested means of restoring peace of mind. You can do interesting things, go to the cinema or theater, spend time in nature.
This will strengthen relationships, bring spouses closer, and relieve the stress that accompanies trying to conceive a child.
9 rules for conceiving - what to do to increase the chances of conceiving a child
Sometimes it happens that it is not possible to conceive a child immediately, but after several unsuccessful sexual intercourses, you should not sound the alarm and diagnose yourself with infertility. Perhaps your “stork”, who will bring you a baby, just needs to actively help.
Rule 1
Everyone knows that the male reproductive cell is the basis of conception, therefore, a certain energy is required from the spermatozoon to ensure its mobility, because an energetic spermatozoon is able to go further, and one should not expect conception from a weak one. And if pregnancy occurs, then there is a high risk of DNA breakdowns, which lead to a missed pregnancy or spontaneous abortion. That is why, two weeks before the decisive sexual intercourse, you need to start preparing a man.
To do this, you need to start feeding him properly: include more meat, nuts, vitamin E in the diet. Such nutrition will help increase sperm motility.
It is worth noting that the excessive activity of partners for conception is not only useless, but also harmful. Therefore, before the decisive sexual intercourse, a man should abstain for 2-3 days in order to accumulate energy. One couple went to the doctor because they could not conceive a child. During the conversation, it turned out that the couple wants a child so much that they have sex 2-3 times a day. After that, the doctor advised to abstain from sex for several days. Following the recommendation of the doctor, the couple managed to conceive a child.
Rule 2
The first intercourse is decisive for conception. All further acts in the evening or night are just for fun. The fact is that after the first sexual intercourse, the concentration of spermatozoa decreases by almost half, so subsequent ejaculations, as experts joke, are one water.
Rule 3
Immediately after ejaculation, a man should remove the penis from the vagina to help the sperm to penetrate further, which greatly increases the likelihood of conception.
Rule 4
The female orgasm can prevent conception. This happens because during orgasm, the cervix rises a little, so the spermatozoa have to climb this peak, which significantly reduces the chance of one of them reaching the egg.
Rule 5
Proper timing of conception plays a significant role in conception. A woman is more fertile in the middle of the cycle, when the egg matures (ovulation period). 5-6 days before ovulation are also considered favorable: this is how long a sperm cell can live, waiting for an egg and remaining capable. The period within 6 days after ovulation is also considered favorable, since the female egg remains viable during this period of time.
Rule 6
Douching with baking soda before intercourse can significantly increase your chances of getting pregnant.
It is known that a woman may have hidden inflammation, which she does not even know about. As a result of inflammation, an acidic environment arises, which is extremely harmful to spermatozoa and can not only significantly reduce their activity, but even completely destroy them. If there is no inflammation, then douching still does not hurt.
7 rule
The actions of a woman after intercourse are of great importance. Little depends on the man and he can safely go to the shower, but the woman should lie down for a while. With the normal position of the uterus and cervix, it is best to lie on your back, while pressing your knees to your chest. If a woman has a bend of the uterus, it is better to lie on her stomach. These positions allow the cervix to sink freely into the semen pool, which increases the chance of sperm penetration. There are also specific cases, for example, when there is inflammation of the appendages. In this situation, the uterus can turn to the side, but in which one - this can only be determined by a gynecologist at a consultation.
