Staying within your recommended weight range (BMI), cutting back on alcohol, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly will all keep you healthy and ready to conceive - but there are some other ways to increase your chances of having a baby. Follow these five tips to help you conceive.
Do yoga
If you're trying to conceive, try and stay relaxed about falling pregnant, as feeling anxious will only make it take longer. Researchers at Oxford University, UK, and US National Institutes of Health, found that high stress levels can make it 12 per cent less likely for a woman to conceive. If you're finding it hard to stay anxiety free, yoga or meditation can help keep stress levels under control.
Don't forget to floss
Researchers at the University of Western Australia in Perth discovered that women who suffer from gum disease take an average of a seven months to fall pregnant, compared to five months for those with healthy gums and teeth. With symptoms including bleeding gums and bad breath, poor dental health means hundreds of types of bacteria are able to enter the blood stream, potentially affecting the implantation of a fertilised egg into the lining of the womb. Brush and floss regularly and consult your dentist if you suffer from bleeding gums
Stop smoking
Smoking can delay your chances of having a baby, with experts discovering that it takes women smokers around two months longer to conceive than those who don't. While many women stop smoking when they fall pregnant, the study, published in the Journal of Biosocial Science, confirms that cutting out tobacco should be part of your pre-conception plan, too.
Have sex on holiday
A survey of 400,000 mums by University College London, UK, found that women in busy jobs were more likely to conceive in their summer holidays. Thanks to decreased stress levels, and more time to relax, the amount of sex the women were having increased as they switched off from work. So if you're trying for a baby, maybe it's also time to book a holiday
Try acupuncture
If you're undergoing IVF, combine it with acupuncture and it could increase your likelihood of falling pregnant, according to recent research. Study leader Professor Neil Johnson, medical director of Fertility Plus in Auckland, found that having acupuncture before and after an embryo is transferred to the uterus increases a woman's chance of having a live birth, resulting in one extra baby being born for every nine women who who combe acupuncture with IVF.
Read more about falling pregnant
Last revised: Monday, 21 May 2012
This article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.