What can I do to increase my chances of getting pregnant

Hello Anonymous,

I would like to welcome you to the EmpowHER community. Friends and family members do mean well, but I understand you are looking for medically sound advice.

The first suggestion is to track your cycle for three months. Determine the average interval between consecutive first days of your period and subtract 14 days. This will give you your most likely date of egg release.

The second suggestion is to have sex at the peak of fertility. Have intercourse for the first five days preceding and on your day of ovulation. The egg lives up to 36 hours in the reproductive tract and sperm live there up to five days. You will maximize your chances of conceiving because the sperm are physically near the egg at the time it is released from the ovary.

If you and your husband are smokers, quit now. Smoking affects how receptive the uterus is to the egg. In men, smoking can reduce sperm production and damage DNA.

This is a start and I hope it is helpful.

Good Luck,
Maryann