And another basic idea of NaProTechnology is that it isn’t enough to have sexual intercourse to achieve fertilization. The sperm has to reach the egg, and one of the ways that sperm reaches the egg more readily is with the help of the cervical mucus. Just keeping hydrated sometimes is enough to increase cervical mucus, and the slight change in cervical mucus can be enough to enable conception.

Conversely, increasing volume of semen also can be enough to enable conception, and all this requires is for the male partner to abstain from ejaculation for one up to four days before sexual intercourse intended for conception of a child. When these simple methods are not enough, then the NaProTechnology program might instruct the couple in how to chart the peaks of hormone levels that indicate ovulation with a fertility monitoring system such as ClearBlue, or the physician might then look at easily correctable hormone deficiencies.

The benefit of NaProTechnology for couples trying to conceive a child is that it allows them a chance to use the simplest and least expensive interventions first. Treatment of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is not typically part of the NaProTechnology program. However, simply ensuring the production of cervical mucus, increasing semen volume, charting the ovulation date, and working with a trained, knowledgeable, and caring NaProTechnology counsellor enables about 65 per cent of women who have PCOS to conceive, even without specific treatment for the condition.

The problem with timing intercourse for conception is that not every woman ovulates at the exact midpoint of her menstrual period, and not every menstrual period is 28 days long. If the period is 28 days long, then conception is mostly likely when intercourse is consummated on days 11 to 16, just before the egg is released, to about two days after. Some women, however, ovulate a day or two later in their periods. And it’s not unheard of for women to have menstrual cycles as short as 20 days or as long as 42 days.

If the male partner has an unusually high sperm count, timing ovulation is not quite as important. But if there is any problem with the sperm count, then intercourse needs to timed for maximum chances of conception. An online ovulation calendar, such as you can find on this site, is useful if you know the length of period, length of the luteal phase, and date of last menstruation–and periods are regular.

Otherwise, it may be better to chart basal body temperature and cervical mucus to estimate the date of ovulation. If you just don’t want to inspect cervical mucus, it’s possible to estimate the date of ovulation by increase in body temperature–but the method won’t work unless the temperature is taken at the same time of day and after rest, preferably first thing in the morning. Even then, the method is only about 85% accurate.

A much more accurate approach to timing conception is a fertility monitor, using test strips to measure increases and peaks in the hormones associated with ovulation. Even these methods, however, have to be used consistently, the same way, every day, starting early enough in the period to observe ovulation and late enough to avoid using too many expensive test strips.

Whichever methods you use  to time intercourse for conception, however, there is one right time for couples over 35 to get pregnant: Now. Never use any method for assisting conception for more than six months without consulting a physician to see if there isn’t a better way to achieve success while trying to conceive.

When researchers looked at the survey participants’ diaries of alcohol consumption and women’s menstrual cycle data more carefully, they found that the only drinking by women and only on days 14 through 21 of the menstrual cycle made a difference in pregnancy rates. Since most women are at their peak fertility on days 11 through 16 of their menstrual cycle, the researchers believe that the way alcohol interferes with pregnancy is by interfering with the implantation of the egg in the lining of the uterus. The egg is fertilized, but the embryo is never developed, because alcohol acts in much the same way as a morning-after pill. Drinking alcohol, however, does not guarantee the fertilized egg will not be implanted.

Another reason women seeking to conceive should avoid alcohol is the potential for fetal alcohol syndrome. Women do not know they are pregnant until they miss a period. Conception occurs 10 to 17 days before a woman misses her period. If the mother has been drinking during those 10 to 17 days, the embryo could already suffer damage from the effects of alcohol.

The Danish researchers found that beer, wine, and hard liquor were equally likely to interfere with a woman’s ability to conceive. The survey data also showed that men’s ability to become fathers trended downward with higher alcohol consumption, but the data were not conclusive that alcohol consumption interfered with male fertility.

When there are other fertility issues, however, neither partner should indulge in alcohol. If a man’s sperm count or sperm motility is low so that he must abstain from ejaculation for several days to increase semen volume before intercourse timed to coincide with the woman’s maximum fertility, alcohol consumption will not help him maintain the discipline to have sex for maximum chances of conceiving a child.

-    Meat, eggs and dairy products: either go organic or leave them out. Absolutely every animal product that you buy in a store (except if you are buying organic) is filled with hormones. Meat, eggs and dairy products are nutritious, but the problem is today’s commercial meat and dairy farmers give the animals abnormal amounts of hormones in order to grow bigger and grow faster, produce more milk, more eggs etc. Some of these hormones mimic female hormone estrogen and disrupt your reproductive system.  In my opinion going vegan is not the solution, because there are pesticides on the food you buy, but going organic (and/or organic vegan) would be the right answer.

-    Raw or undercooked eggs, meats, or fish or unpasteurized cheeses, because eating raw or undercooked food could put you at risk for salmonella, listeria, or other food-borne bacteria.

-    Swordfish, tilefish, shark, or king mackerel are all fish known to be high in mercury.  Mercury can accumulate and linger in your body long after you consume it, which can be harmful to you and can damage your baby’s developing nervous system. If you love fish, avoid the big and oily fish and stick to smaller varieties like flounder, haddock, trout, salmon, and shrimp.

-    Soy is not a miracle food, and this is especially not true if soy is labeled and non-organic, which would mean it is GMO. But this is not the only reason you should avoid soy if you are trying to conceive. Soy contains phytoestrogens that are naturally derived estrogens, so they mimic the estrogen in your body.
For example, countries where consumption of soy is higher than average (for example Japan, China) do not have problems with decreased fertility, which is a proof soy does not have negative effect if consumed in ‘normal’ amounts. Some studies have found that large quantities of soy protein can inhibit fertility, but ff you like munching on a few edamame now and then, that’s OK. But if you are experiencing infertility problems, it should help droping the soy milk, tofu, and tempeh from your diet.

-    Fresh produce is unfortunately also on the list. The main reasons are commercial farms that use too much chemicals and pesticides. Either go organic, or avoid especially the following:   apricots, apples, celery, cucumbers, green beans, grapes, strawberries, bell peppers, spinach, cherries, peaches, cantaloupe (Mexican)

-    Alcohol and babies don’t mix, and alcohol does inhibit both male and female s ability to conceive.

-    Caffeine: take it easy with coffee and caffeined products

The first preconception gender diet book was published in 1982, since that time there have been many others to follow.  The book was based on a study conducted by two gynecologists and published in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.  It showed that a woman, who planned her diet according to certain foods, might have a better chance of conceiving the sex of infant she desires.

Research suggested that a woman desiring to conceive a female could better her chances by eating a calcium rich diet.  Foods like yogurt, cheese, fish and leafy green vegetables are ideal for the diet of a woman trying to have a baby girl.  The woman should also limit or cut out foods high in potassium and salt, in order to increase the odds of conceiving a female infant according to recent research.

For a woman trying to conceive a male infant, her diet should include salty foods, but not in excess of more than 5-6 grams per day.  The diet should also include high amounts of meat and other protein rich foods, and dairy products should be limited.  Studies have shown that as much as 80% of the females that follow a preconception gender diet had positive results in having the sex of infant desired.

It is believed that a gender preconception diet will have a direct influence on the cervical mucus in the female.  It is though that cervical mucus is alkaline and the diet can influence the ability of the swimming sperm and fertilization.  If the food a woman eats in her diet reaches her cervical mucus, it is believed that it can help select the gender of an infant at the time of conception, though more studies are needed to provide a better understanding of how it all works.

Certain vitamins like folic acid are very important to a healthy conception and can prevent neural tube defects in the first trimester of pregnancy.  It is advised that a female trying to conceive incorporates regular folic acid supplements into the diet before pregnancy to prevent birth defects and improve fertility.  Studies have also shown that folic acid can also be beneficial to men in that the supplement will increase the number and quality of sperm.

Other vitamins to increase fertility also include B6 and B12, which are part of the B-complex family.  All of the B-family vitamins are important and essential to a woman’s reproductive health and can increase the chances of a healthy conception.  Vitamin B6 has been shown to boost fertility in woman and B12 is beneficial to men with a low sperm count.

Vitamin C has been shown to help a woman taking the fertility drug, clomiphene, increase the chances of fertilization.  Citrus fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C and can aid in fertility, and there are many other vitamins to increase fertility as well.  Zinc is a mineral that is important to the production of the male hormone testosterone and in women it assists in how the body uses estrogen and progesterone, important fertility hormones.

Selenium is an antioxidant, which helps and protects both men and women from the damage of cancer-causing free radicals in the body.  Selenium is also important in that the mineral helps prevent birth defects and increases sperm count in men.  The incorporation of selenium into the diet can come from red meat, tuna, chicken, whole grains and enriched whole wheat pastas.

The diet of a woman trying to conceive has a direct impact on whether or not conception will occur.  When trying to conceive and become pregnant, it is important for a woman to watch their diet, eat the right foods and do proactive things to enhance her chances.  Vitamins and minerals not only impact the health of the female, but can also have a direct bearing on the reproductive system and the ability to conceive.

While woman and men both face fertility issues, there are rigorous tests which will be performed in order to try and determine why.  A woman could have a genetic or physical reason for not being able to conceive and a male might have a low sperm count or be rendered sterile due to a medical condition or as a result of an accident.  There are also books written on the topic and a guide to getting pregnant might actually be a beneficial tool for couples experiencing fertility impairment.

Some of the information possibly covered in a guide for conceiving a baby could include a variety of information such as; common fertility issues, foods to improve the odds of conception, what to expect from fertility testing, different types of fertility medications and much more.  When a couple is trying to conceive a baby, the more information and educational material provided, the more informed and proactive they can be at increasing the odds of having a healthy conception.   A guide to becoming pregnant can be a very important piece of literature designed to remove the questions of various aspects of infertility and help people understand everything involved.

Infertility is an issue that countless numbers of people face each day all over the country, some will try for many, many years to become pregnant before success is achieved.  The most important thing a couple can do when asking how to get pregnant and when trying to conceive is to keep abreast of the latest information available in the world of infertility treatment and not to rule out that there is a successful option which can help them.  By knowing the options available and keeping a positive attitude, many couples will be able to find the solution to their unique infertility issues.

A guide to getting pregnant can be a valuable reference tool and can give people a starting point to reference the many issues surrounding infertility.  Following a special diet rich in vitamins and minerals, incorporating healthy lifestyle changes and undergoing fertility testing are the best ways in which a couple can increase the odds of conception.  Each person’s situation and journey to parenthood is unique and with time and the right assistance, those experiencing infertility issues can successfully conceive their much wanted baby.

Do a favor to yourself, your partner and your baby: I am not talking just about the lungs or the money you spent on cigarettes or the fact there you can’t hide the cigarette smell from your hair and skin. Cigarettes lower your possibility of getting pregnant by increasing the mucus around your cervix, and this is the main reason for decreased fertility.

Weight and trying to conceive

Yes, this is true: if you are super (model) skinny or if you are even slightly overweight (not to mention obese) your chances of healthy conception dramatically decrease. In fact, several studies suggest that there is a connection between being overweight/underweight and fertility and this connection is expressed in U curve: if your body mass index is normal (18-24), you shouldn’t have any problems with fertility (looking from the perspective of weight), while if your BMI is under 18 or above 25, your chances of healthy conception decrease dramatically.

Alcohol and babies don’t mix

First of all, if you regularly drink alcohol, your body’s ability to absorb mineral zinc is lowered. Zinc is the ‘fertility’ mineral, didn’t you know? Yep, zinc increases sperm count and helps the body use estrogen and progesterone more efficiently.

Besides, many studies have proved that alcohol has a negative effect on both female and male fertility. In women, alcohol disrupts menstrual cycles and may even cause miscarriage, and in men alcohol influences sperm count, mobility and sperm quality.

Cut coffee and caffeine products

As little as one cup of coffee decreases your chances of healthy conception for as much as half. All products that contain caffeine have the same effect on woman’s body. Therefore you must pay special attention to foods that contain hidden caffeine.

Having Sex on “Ovulation Days” Only

I am very sure you’ve heard that women ovulate on day 14 of their cycle, but hey this is not true. Every woman is unique and day 14 is the most fertile day for women who have 28 day menstrual cycle. Does your menstrual cycle have 28 days? Most women do not have perfect menstrual cycle and even those who do, do not ovulate at exactly the same time each month.

My point is, have sex more often, enjoy it, have fun and don’t think about trying to conceive. Don’t think at all: just make love.