Author name: Khoo

Hello my friends!

If you know, my spouse and I struggled with infertility for several years before finally having children. We tried countless methods, including traditional remedies suggested by older generations, as well as more modern approaches recommended by medical professionals.

Did you know that the process of trying to conceive a child can often feel like a confusing maze? I have learned some helpful tips from my own experiences that I hope can make your journey to becoming a mother less overwhelming.

It was a challenging journey, but we were ultimately successful in becoming parents and our children are truly a blessing to us.

Here are some on the tips on trying to conceive (TTC) which I applied to ease my journey.

 

Pre-conception tips for TTC couples

Before I dive into the baby-making mode, one of the must do things is to have a plan ahead of everything else. We must first take care of ourselves before taking care of our future bundle of joy. Think of it as prepping the soil before planting seeds.

For a start, schedule a pre-conception checkup with your healthcare provider. They can offer valuable insights into our overall health and provide personalized advice based on our medical history.

During this phase, adopting a healthy lifestyle would be the wisest choice so there is no regret if anything doesn’t work well in our way. We can quickly eliminate this as the main factor during challenging times.

In this context, it means nourishing our body with nutritious foods, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of sleep. Oh, and not to forget to ditch those bad habits like smoking and excessive drinking – they’re not doing our future bundle of joy any favors!

 

Ways to track ovulation

Before anything else, we must first understand our own menstrual cycles. Every woman is different. For example, my cycle runs every 21 days, some women have a 30-day cycle, and others might have a cycle that only comes around once every quarter.

Grab a calendar or better yet, download one of those fancy fertility apps and start tracking our menstrual cycle. These tools help to keep track of the menstrual cycle and note down the ovulation days.

By noting down the ovulation days, we can identify the most fertile days of our cycle and increase our chances of conceiving. Fertility apps are especially useful as they provide additional features such as reminders and tips to improve fertility.

Not everyone ovulates on the 14^th day from the first day we menstruate. It is not the same for everyone, so paying attention to our unique cycle is the key.

There are many ways to track ovulation. I have personally tried multiple methods.

1. Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Charting: BBT charting involves taking our temperature every morning before getting out of bed and recording it on a chart. Our basal body temperature tends to rise slightly after ovulation, indicating that we’ve ovulated. Tracking this temperature shift can help pinpoint our fertile window. Besides we can track our ovulation pattern after several months of tracking.   2. Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs): There are two categories. One is urine-based tests and the other is saliva fertility tests.   – Traditional urine strip tests detect the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) that occurs just before ovulation. – Salivary ferning kits analyze the unique ferning patterns that occur in our saliva as estrogen levels rise during our fertile window. Simply dab a bit of saliva on the lens of the microscope-like device, wait for it to dry, and examine the microscopic wonders unfolding before our eyes   By using these kits daily around the time of expected ovulation, we can identify our most fertile days.   3. Cervical Mucus Observation: One of my favourite methods, in combination with others, is observing changes in cervical mucus consistency and volume throughout the menstrual cycle. As ovulation approaches, cervical mucus typically becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy, resembling raw egg whites. When this occurs, it is the optimal time to GET BUSY!  ;D   4. Fertility Apps: There are many fertility apps on the market to help track our menstrual cycle, ovulation, and fertility signs. Simply insert our personal data about our cycle, symptoms, and lifestyle, and the app will provide predictions about our fertile window.   5. Ovulation Tracking Devices: There are wearable devices, such as fertility trackers and smartwatches, designed to monitor various fertility signs like BBT, heart rate variability, and cervical mucus. These devices can provide more accurate and personalized ovulation predictions based on our body’s unique data.   By using one or a combination of these methods, we can effectively track ovulation and increase our chances of conceiving. Choose the method that aligns best with our lifestyle and preferences. The key here is patience is a virtue. Finding our fertile window may take some time and experiments.

Once we are able to identify our fertile window, it’s time to get into the work, by work here I mean getting intimate! Aim to have sex every other day during our fertile window to maximize our chances of conception. Don’t forget, it’s not just about the deed itself. Creating a romantic and stress-free environment WILL affect the conception.

As a token of appreciation for your unwavering support, I’m delighted to present you with a special gift – your very own Basal Body Temperature (BBT) chart that comes along with a sample BBT chart!

This invaluable tool will empower you to track your cycle with precision, gaining insights into your body’s natural rhythms and optimizing your chances of conception.

The Power of Nutrition: Essential TTC Diet Tips

Theone crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is nutrition which I shared here. The food you eat can play a significant role in your fertility journey, influencing hormone balance, reproductive health, and overall well-being. Here are some essential TTC diet tips to consider to optimize your fertility naturally:

1. Focus on Whole Foods: Opt for nutrient-dense whole foods that provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your diet to support overall health and fertility.

2. Balance Your Macronutrients: Ensure your meals contain a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat to provide sustained energy and support hormone production. Aim for complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats to keep your blood sugar levels stable and support reproductive function.

3. Prioritize Plant-Based Foods: Plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can support fertility. Aim to fill half of your plate with colorful fruits and vegetables to maximize nutrient intake and promote overall health.

4. Limit Processed Foods and Sugars: Processed foods and added sugars can disrupt hormone balance and contribute to inflammation, which may negatively impact fertility. Minimize your intake of processed foods, sugary snacks, and refined carbohydrates, opting instead for whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible.

5. Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration is essential for overall health and fertility. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and support optimal bodily functions. Limit your intake of caffeinated and sugary beverages, as excessive consumption may interfere with hormone balance and fertility.

6. Include Fertility-Boosting Foods: Certain foods are known for their fertility-boosting properties and can be beneficial for individuals trying to conceive. Incorporate foods rich in folate, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants into your diet, such as leafy greens, citrus fruits, fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

7. Consider Supplements: In addition to a balanced diet, consider taking supplements to support fertility, such as prenatal vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine which supplements are right for you and your unique needs.

Let’s talk about positions

Okay, we know this might feel a bit awkward to discuss. To be honest I don’t think the position has any effect during the baby-making process.

You know those stories passed down from generations about how you should stick to certain positions to give those “swimmers” their best shot? Well, here’s the scoop. While they make for good tales, there’s no concrete scientific evidence backing up the idea that particular positions boost our chances of conception.

Just don’t sweat over finding the perfect position. Enjoy the process and this is really what matters.

Mindset over matter during TTC journey

Navigating this uncertain journey can feel like a rollercoaster ride, and our mindset becomes our greatest asset. It’s true, not knowing when we will finally succeed can feel downright brutal.

With each month of negative tests, it feels like our glass hearts shatter anew. TTC journey is a cruel cycle, I won’t sugarcoat it. But please know, I’m not trying to scare you.

It takes a strong heart to believe it will work, to hold onto hope that we will eventually triumph. Yet, we must also face the reality that not all efforts will flourish. All we can do is give our best and brace ourselves for the worst.

Even so, we always need to be prepared with a plan B, plan C, or even plan Z if necessary. Let’s give ourselves a pat on the back for facing all of this with courage.

Do not despair and stay put for too long.

We’ve given it our all, and that counts for something. We’re stronger than we think! Keeping a positive mindset truly goes a long way. It opens our minds to more solutions, instead of getting bogged down in sadness.

Stress, anxiety, and negative thoughts can wreak havoc on our hormones, making it harder to conceive. It’s essential to find healthy ways to manage stress and cultivate a positive mindset. Whether it’s practicing mindfulness, yoga, or indulging in self-care activities, do whatever works for us to stay centered and calm.

Do not hesitate to lean on our support system, be it our partner, family, or friends for encouragement and guidance along the way.

When to seek help

If we’ve been trying to conceive for several months without success, it may be time to consult a fertility specialist. While it can be daunting to take this step, remember that you’re not alone.

Fertility experts are here to help you navigate the complexities of infertility and explore potential treatment options.

In the meantime, continue to take care of ourselves, stay connected with our partner, and hold onto hope.

Join the TTC journey communities where we’ll find a treasure trove of tried-and-true tips on TTC, personal experiences and encouragement to help guide us through this exciting chapter of life.

Remember, the journey to parenthood is filled with twists and turns, but with patience, perseverance, and a sprinkle of magic, our wildest dream of starting a family finally come true.

Conclusion

The tips mentioned above on tips on TTC and some of the ways to track ovulation are exactly what I practiced, and I sincerely hope they will provide you with valuable guidance on your challenging TTC journey, just as they did for me. Don’t miss out on reading further about the TTC Diet. Click here to discover the 10 TTC Diet secrets I’ve shared..

Don’t forget to claim the sample BBT chart!