Before you make the commitment to begin treatment with a specialist, you might be wondering what you can do to positively impact your fertility. While some of our advice may seem like common sense, sometimes a simple problem requires a simple solution.

Overall health is the most important factor affecting fertility- for women AND men. If you want to know how to get pregnant, start with these guidelines.

Figure out when you are at your most fertile. The 6-day interval ending on the day of ovulation is when women are most fertile, and the peak day within that is 2 days before ovulation. If you need help determining when you are ovulating, you can purchase an ovulation predictor kit from most drugstores.

Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, you might want to consider diet and exercise to achieve a more suitable Body Mass Index. If you are underweight, you might want to consider gaining a few pounds for the same reason. Infertility has been found to be least common among women with BMIs of 20 to 24, with an ideal being around 21.

Take time to exercise. We don’t encourage overdoing it, but moderate exercise will guard against high blood sugar and insulin, as well as act as a natural stress reliever.

Avoid caffeine. High levels of caffeine consumption have been associated with decreased fertility and may increase the likelihood of miscarriage.

If you smoke, quit. When possible, avoid inhaling second hand smoke as well. Studies reveal that smoking women are significantly more likely to be infertile and experience menopause earlier than average. Smoking has also been found to increase risk of miscarriage.

If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation. Many studies have attempted to uncover a correlation between drinking alcoholic beverages and fertility. Some have found detrimental effects, and some have found a glass of wine a day to be helpful. What we do know is that excessive drinking is not good for your overall health, and you want to be at your healthiest when you are attempting to conceive.

Make time for the most important person in your life- YOU! While there is no concrete scientific evidence linking stress to infertility, studies reveal that couples who report feeling happy and relaxed at the time of their treatment are more likely to have a positive outcome. That’s why we suggest making time in your hectic schedule to do things that make you feel calm and centered. Whether you choose yoga, hiking, cooking or just settling down with a good book, make some time. It is a win-win situation!

Try alternative therapies like acupuncture or yoga. Again, while there might not be conclusive evidence that acupuncture and yoga are helpful for infertility, if it makes you feel good, it can’t hurt. We have had many patients who felt it was beneficial, and there are some clinics that offer acupuncture as part of treatment. One acupuncture practice in the area is The Mind/Body Fertility Program of D.C. Visit www.heal-from-within.com for more information.

If you have been trying to get pregnant for over a year, seek advice from a medical professional. If you have already been following these “How To Get Pregnant” tips, and have not had success conceiving, there might be an underlying issue.

Dominion Fertility offers Fertility Assessment for women and men interested in finding out more about their fertility. Click here for more information about Fertility Assessment.

If you have further questions after reading this page, please feel free to email us at info@dominionfertility.com and receive a timely response from a registered nurse. Whether you are just looking into options or seriously considering pursuing treatment, we are here to help.