Ovulation windows, sex positions, due dates—there’s a lot of information to keep in your head when you’re trying to get pregnant.
Keep calm and remember these 5 facts:
1. The overwhelming majority of women will be able to get pregnant.
Ninety percent of women of reproductive age who are trying to become pregnant will be able to conceive naturally within two years. In addition, of the 44% of women with infertility issues who seek treatment, a majority (65%) will go on to give birth.
2. But only a small percentage of women will get pregnant each month.
It’s normal for it take to a few months to get pregnant. In fact, only a fraction of women having unprotected sex each month will conceive, according to the findings of U.K. researchers.
3. Being at a healthy weight is good for mom + baby.
Being at a healthy weight for your body (generally this means a BMI in the range of 18.5 to 24.9) makes it easier for you to conceive. Plus, a growing body of research indicates that moms with a healthy body weight during pregnancy can also reduce the risk of miscarriage and infant death.
4. Folic acid is your friend.
Taking folic acid (400 to 800 mg daily) and eating a variety of fresh, nutrient-dense foods before and during pregnancy (check out folate-rich foods) can help reduce neural tube defects. Neural tube defects are major birth defects of a baby’s brain and spine (including anencephaly and spina bifida). Getting enough folic acid can reduce the risk of defects by up to 70%, according to the CDC.
So pop that prenatal vitamin, even if you’re not actively trying to conceive this month.
5. Fertility is a men’s issue, too.
Researchers are increasingly finding that a man’s age, lifestyle habits and other health factors directly affect his ability to make healthy babies. In fact, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, in nearly 40% of infertility cases, a man is the sole cause or a contributing cause.
