So you’re trying for a baby. Congratulations!
By now, you probably know that it’s not always easy to get pregnant. Healthy, heterosexual couples in their 20s to early 30s having regular, unprotected sex have a 25% to 30% chance of getting pregnant in any given month, according to the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists.
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Life Kit: Health
Want to get pregnant? There’s more to it than you think
Want to get pregnant? There’s more to it than you think
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Many elements factor into those odds, says reproductive endocrinologist Lucky Sekhon. That includes medical history, genetics, hormone balance, timing and just pure luck.
“Trying to get pregnant is like playing a slot machine,” she says. “You can pull the lever by timing your attempts around ovulation, but whether things line up and you hit the jackpot are not in your control.”
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However, there are some lifestyle changes both men and women can make that can help boost your odds. That means making choices that support fertility, not hinder it — like getting regular exercise or cutting out cannabis, nicotine and alcohol.
Here are seven evidence-backed ways that may improve fertility. For a deeper dive on this topic, hosted by Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle.
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For a deeper dive on this topic, hosted by Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle.