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8 Baby-Making Mistakes You should be Avoiding

Team AckoDec 2, 2024

When you're trying to conceive, timing is everything. One of the most crucial factors in increasing your chances of pregnancy is understanding your fertility window — the time during your menstrual cycle when you’re most likely to get pregnant. This window is typically just a few days each month, centred around ovulation, when your body releases an egg from the ovaries.

Contents

8 Baby-Making Mistakes You Should be Avoiding
- Common Myths About Conception
Conclusion

The fertility window is important because sperm can survive inside the female reproductive system for up to five days, but the egg is only viable for about 12-24 hours after ovulation. Knowing when ovulation occurs and planning intercourse during this window maximises the chances of sperm meeting the egg and fertilisation happening.

To understand your fertility window, you need to track your menstrual cycle and ovulation patterns. This can be done through several methods, such as monitoring cervical mucus, using ovulation predictor kits, or tracking basal body temperature. Being in tune with your body can help you pinpoint the best time to try for a baby, reducing uncertainty and enhancing your chances of conception.

8 Baby-Making Mistakes You Should be Avoiding

When couples decide to try for a baby, there’s often excitement and a bit of nervousness, too. But amid the anticipation, some common mistakes can hinder the process of conception, reducing your chances of pregnancy. These mistakes can be easy to overlook, but making small adjustments can make a big difference in helping you achieve your goal of parenthood.

Below are 8 common baby-making mistakes you should avoid to maximise your chances of conceiving:

Too Many Attempts: If you are trying to conceive, then it is not a good idea to indulge in sex every day. This leads to a reduction in the sperm count in men and takes away your chances of conceiving easily. Getting physically intimate twice or thrice in a week increases the chances of getting pregnant.
Irregular Sex: Another common fertility mistake is not having sex often enough, especially at the right times. Having sex once a week decreases the chances of getting pregnant, while those couples who indulge in sex 2-3 times a week have higher chances of becoming parents.
Being Unaware of Your Ovulation Cycle: If you are trying to conceive then every woman should be aware of her ovulation cycle. The best time to conceive is 3-5 days before ovulation and on the day of ovulation. Getting intimate during this time increases the chances of getting pregnant. Maintain a monthly calendar or get an ovulation kit to know about your ovulation dates so that you can derive maximum benefit from it in getting pregnant.
Not Doing Anything About Your Irregular Periods: If you're experiencing irregular periods, it can be a sign of hormonal imbalances that can interfere with fertility. Women with long or irregular cycles may have trouble conceiving, as they might only ovulate once every few months. Ignoring this issue is a major fertility mistake that can delay conception. If you have irregular periods, consult your doctor to regulate your hormones and improve your chances of pregnancy.
Unhealthy Lifestyle: An unhealthy lifestyle is one of the most common baby-making mistakes that can affect both men and women. Eat healthy and fibre-rich foods, and avoid smoking, alcohol and other such factors that harm your chances of getting pregnant. Stress and depression also play a key role in infertility, so you better laugh a lot and be happy in any given situation. This is good for you and your partner. Exercise a lot, practise a lot of breathing exercises and push yourself more towards a healthy lifestyle.
Not Changing Positions: Another baby-making mistake that many couples overlook is sticking to the same sexual position every time. They have their favourite positions where they enjoy having sex. This is also a common mistake that might be posing a problem for women to get pregnant. Keep trying new positions while having sex to increase the chances of getting pregnant easily. This will also make your intimate moments fun and help you enjoy being in a happy mood.
Using Lubricants Too Often: Most lubricants do not go well with the health of the sperm in men, and this reduces the chances of women getting pregnant even after trying hard. Certain commercial lubricants contain chemicals that can harm sperm, making it harder for the sperm to reach the egg. This is one of the fertility mistakes to avoid. Instead, consider using natural alternatives like coconut oil or olive oil, which are safe and sperm-friendly.
Thinking that only the 'Woman' is the Reason behind the Infertility: It's easy to assume that infertility is solely a woman's issue, but this is one of the biggest baby-making mistakes you can make. Male infertility factors, such as low sperm count or poor sperm motility, can also contribute to difficulty in conceiving. Both partners should undergo fertility evaluations to rule out any potential issues. A comprehensive check-up ensures that both of you are on the same page when it comes to your health and fertility.

By avoiding these common fertility mistakes and making small changes to your lifestyle and approach, you can increase your chances of a successful pregnancy. The road to parenthood can be a beautiful journey, and with a little patience and attention to detail, you’ll soon be celebrating the arrival of your little one.

Common Myths About Conception

When trying to conceive, there’s a lot of advice floating around, and not all of it is accurate. Understanding the truth behind common myths can help you make better-informed decisions and avoid unnecessary stress during your fertility journey. Here are some prevalent myths about conception and the facts you need to know:

Myth: You can get pregnant anytime during your cycle.
Fact: Pregnancy is most likely to occur during the ovulation window, which is about 3-5 days before and on the day of ovulation.
Myth: If you’re not pregnant after a few months, there’s something wrong.
Fact: Most couples take 6-12 months to conceive. If you’re under 35 and haven't conceived after a year, or over 35 and haven’t conceived after 6 months, it may be time to seek help.
Myth: Age doesn’t affect fertility as long as you’re healthy.
Fact: Female fertility declines after the age of 30, and male fertility also decreases with age, particularly after 40.
Myth: You can’t get pregnant if you have irregular periods.
Fact: Irregular periods can affect ovulation, making conception more challenging, but it's still possible. Consult a doctor if periods are irregular.
Myth: Stress will definitely prevent you from getting pregnant.
Fact: While stress can affect your health, it doesn't directly cause infertility. However, it may influence hormone levels, making conception harder.
Myth: You only need to worry about the woman’s health when trying to conceive.
Fact: Male fertility plays an important role. Factors like sperm count, motility, and overall health are just as crucial as the woman’s reproductive health.
Myth: You should avoid all physical activity when trying to conceive.
Fact: Moderate exercise is beneficial for fertility. Intense exercise or being overweight, however, can interfere with ovulation.
Myth: Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine doesn’t affect your chances of pregnancy.
Fact: Excessive alcohol or caffeine can reduce fertility in both men and women. Limiting these is advisable when trying to conceive.

Conclusion

Conceiving a child is a journey that requires patience and awareness. By avoiding common mistakes like irregular sex, neglecting ovulation, leading an unhealthy lifestyle, or relying on harmful lubricants, you can boost your chances of pregnancy. Remember, fertility is a shared responsibility, so both partners should consider evaluations. With a healthy lifestyle, proper timing, and a little patience, you’ll be on your way to growing your family.

Here’s a list of FAQs about 8 Baby-Making Mistakes You should be Avoiding

What are some common mistakes couples make when trying to conceive?

While there are no specific "baby-making mistakes" to avoid during ovulation, certain lifestyle factors can impact fertility. These include stress, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management techniques can help optimise fertility.

Are there certain fruits to avoid while trying to conceive?

While most fruits are beneficial for overall health, excessive consumption of pineapple, papaya, and guava may have potential effects on fertility due to their enzyme content. However, moderate consumption of these fruits is unlikely to have a significant impact.

What foods can negatively impact fertility?

Certain dietary factors can influence fertility. Excessive consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats can negatively impact hormonal balance and ovulation. A diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables is generally recommended to support fertility.

What should I avoid after ovulation to increase my chances of getting pregnant?

Once ovulation occurs, the egg is released and ready for fertilisation. While there's no specific action to avoid after ovulation to improve pregnancy chances, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial. This includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management.

What foods can help increase fertility?

A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients can support fertility. Foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, leafy green vegetables, and nuts, can help improve egg quality. Additionally, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like fatty fish and flaxseeds, can support hormonal balance. It's important to consult with a healthcare provider for personalised dietary advice.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.

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