The Journey & Countdown To Pregnancy

The Journey & Countdown To Pregnancy - AlphaCord
A growing family is a wonderful thing to celebrate, and finding out that you are pregnant for the first time can be one of the most memorable moments of your life. And if you are reading this article, then chances are you might be trying for a baby! So whether you just started trying or have been trying for a while, we have some of the best tips for your countdown to pregnancy!

Preparing for Pregnancy

We hear a lot about the journey of pregnancy, but what about the days and months leading up to it? They can be full of surprises and emotions too, and unfortunately, they aren't talked about as much as they should be. As you may know, every person is different and so is their journey. While age and other factors may play a role when it comes to conceiving a baby, there are smaller lifestyle changes that you can make to increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Here are some helpful tips that you can try in the months leading up to trying for a baby:
  • Reduce alcohol and nicotine consumption (you will have to avoid it completely once you are pregnant)
  • Talk to your doctor about wanting to become pregnant. This would be a good time to review medications that you are taking and which ones may interfere with your chances of conceiving.
  • Increase vegetable intake for added vitamins and minerals. Some women even start taking a prenatal vitamin supplement while they are trying to conceive.
  • If you are getting off of birth control, be sure to talk to your doctor about changes that may happen to your body (some women can become successfully pregnant almost immediately after stopping birth control, but it may take longer for some women).

Trying For a Baby

So once you have talked with your doctor and your partner about becoming pregnant and are ready to move forward, there are some other things that you should keep in mind. From tracking your menstrual cycle to knowing when you are ovulating, here are additional tips to consider when you and your partner are ready to start trying for a baby!
  • Track your menstrual cycle: Write down your periods as they come each month and make a note of when they start and end, how heavy they are and whether there is any pain associated with them. This will also help you to track when you are ovulating.
  • Find out if you are ovulating: There are multiple ways to track ovulation and keeping up with your menstrual cycle will help with this. The first way is by simply counting about 14 days before your next cycle period. Although this way does work, it can vary based on the regularity of your period. Other options include ovulation testing strips or taking your temperature every morning (If the temperature rises above or remains higher than the previous day, then it means that ovulation has occurred and you may become pregnant.)
  • Have fun! It’s important to feel comfortable and enjoy yourself while you are trying for a baby. Tracking cycles and taking temperatures may not be the most romantic thing, but try to keep the pressure to a minimum and don’t forget to simply enjoy the experience of making a baby!

Alternative Paths To Pregnancy

If you feel like you are in a fertility crisis, it is important to try to relax and take a break from trying. Remember to be patient and understand that it can take time for your body to get into the swing of things. Make sure that you are eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep. If stress is an issue, try relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation—these practices help relieve tension in the body which improves fertility rates as well as lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Try not to feel defeated if you do not become pregnant right away; remember that many women take more than one year before they conceive successfully on their first cycle of trying. If after a year, you still have not become pregnant, don’t give up! There are other paths to pregnancy. Schedule a visit with your doctor and have them refer you to a fertility specialist. They can help to see what’s going on, and there are several methods to getting pregnant including hormonal treatments, in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, and intrauterine insemination.

Conclusion

The journey and countdown to pregnancy is often filled with ups, downs and everything in between. It can be a difficult journey, but it’s worth it when you finally see the positive sign on that pregnancy test! Once you find out you are officially pregnant, an entire new chapter begins as you prepare for your family’s future and for parenthood. And we couldn’t be more excited for you!