How to Get Pregnant

Is your biological clock ticking? Are you aching to hear the pitter patter of little feet? If so, you are probably ready to get pregnant. A planned pregnancy is not as simple as some may think but these step by step instructions should help make it as fun and as easy as possible. So, let's get pregnant!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Calendar
• The Date of the First Day of Your Last Menstrual Cycle
• Thermometer
• Ovulation Kit (optional)
• Pregnancy Test

1. 
   Birth Control Pills

   If you are on any type of birth control, stop taking it. Depending on what type of contraception you were using, you can get pregnant as early as your next cycle.

2. Track your period, starting with the 1st day of your last one. You can do this with a calendar or go to a great website, mymonthlycycle.com. This is very important because typically ovulation occurs around Day 14 of your menstrual cycle, (Day 1 is the first day of your period). Keep in mind things like stress, exercise, and diet can alter ovulation.

3. 
   Basal Body Thermometer

   Take your basal body temperature each morning before getting out of bed (you want to be fully rested when you take it). Your temperature is usually about a degree or two higher when you are ovulating. If you see that your temperature is elevated for three consecutive days you can be pretty sure you are ovulating and your body is ready to get pregnant.

4. 
   Ovulation Test

   Get an ovulation kit. You can pick one up at any drugstore or pharmacy in the contraception/family planning aisle. You can use this to determine exactly when you are ovulating.

5. The obvious--Have Sex! If you are having sex regularly, about 3 times a week, you will likely hit during your ovulation. To increase your chances of getting pregnant, have sex at least once a day around the time you expect to ovulate.

6. Stay healthy! If you maintain a healthy weight, eat right, and exercise regularly you will increase your chances to get pregnant.

Tips & Warnings

• Take prenatal vitamins
• Take a pregnancy test after the 1st day of your missed period, it will be more accurate
• If you have any concerns, schedule an appointment with your Obstetrician and/or Gynecologist to discuss how to get pregnant
• Do not drink alcohol
• Do not smoke
• Do not take medications without doctor approval

Resources

• MyMonthlyCycle

[Dino1353]

on 12/17/2008 Tried it! It's a boy now 11.

[rorsich]

on 12/17/2008 Haha!! I dont have to worry about it... But, hey - 5*s anyway, cuz I'm sure there are people who are really trying to have children somewhere!

[Diligent77]

on 12/16/2008 Wonderful photo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sneedc]

on 12/16/2008 Thorough article, great tips for getting a bun in the oven. My oven has gone to the great appliance store in the sky. That's a good thing!

[anixon84]

on 12/16/2008 Great advice, this is what we did to get pregnant with my son!