5 Ways to Prepare for Pregnancy

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For some of us, pregnancy just happens. The Fertile Myrtles of the world get pregnant at the drop of a hat, whether they mean to or not. For the rest of us, getting pregnant is a marathon rather than a sprint. It requires dedication, planning, and a little luck. Here’s a few things you should do when trying to get pregnant.

Track Your Cycle

Timing is a big part of getting pregnant and the more you know about your cycle, the easier it is. Whether it’s an old-fashioned calendar or an app, find a cycle tracker you are comfortable with and start using it. It will tell you what days are best for getting it on.

Here’s a few apps to check out on both iOS and Android-

Clue

Flo

Glow

Spot On

Ovia

Natural Cycles

Life

Period Tracker

Stock Up On Tests

Having some tests on hand is important when you are trying to get pregnant. If you have been trying for a while, the cost of tests adds up. They are not cheap when you have to buy more than a few. A great way to save some money is to buy them either online as test strips or at the dollar store. Any tests sold in the US are regulated by the FDA, so you can trust that a test sold at the dollar store is still as accurate as one sold at a pharmacy for 10X the price. But just in case you are still not convinced, here’s a link to the FDA’s approved test database.

Positive Mind Set

Kids are a long-term investment. Don’t lose focus on the end goal after a few months of trying with no luck. For the vast majority of people, it will happen eventually. It may takes months or years, but it usually happens at some point. My wife and I started to lose hope after a few years of trying for number 2. My mother-in-law said not to worry about it and to just have fun. Sure enough, number 2 was on the way a few months later. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself or your partner during this time. Just enjoy it.

Take Care of Yourself

Get plenty of rest. Eat right. Exercise. Take prenatal vitamins.

Do It

Baby dance. Mattress mambo. Horizontal shuffle. Whatever you want to call it. Do it. Do it a lot. Preferably right before and after ovulation. But feel free to do it more often. I won’t stop you.