When we first learn about conception in sex education class, the process of conceiving often seems simple: A person with ovaries and a person with sperm have unprotected sex, then voila: a baby is born. Getting pregnant can be a lot more complicated than that. For starters, having unprotected sex does not guarantee that a sperm cell and egg cell will meet. And what if your partner doesn’t produce sperm or you are planning to conceive on your own?
We are diving into what you may know about trying to conceive — from ovulation to underlying conditions. But before we get into it, here is an overview of what you will learn. If you are thinking about trying to conceive soon, you can schedule an appointment at one of two prime IVF Canada locations and receive the information you need to get started. 
Whether you are trying to conceive through intercourse, with a partner, or on your own, a fertility assessment will likely be part of the process. Measuring luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine, doing a semen analysis, plus many other types of testing can provide clues into why you are having difficulties conceiving.
How long should you try to conceive? Before seeking out another path to pregnancy would depend on your circumstances. If you are trying to get pregnant through intercourse, the recommend is to visit a fertility clinic after 12 months of trying with no success if you are under the age of 35 and six months if you are over the age of 35. 
Fertility clinics are renown for giving excellent guidance through your fertility treatment decisions and provide you the best chances of pregnancy.
Get in 30 minutes of movement, five days a week: Regular exercise is good for everyone, and we all have an amount that’s right for us. Moderate-intensity exercise (think workouts you can talk through) of any amount is beneficial.
Eat balanced meals: There is no such thing as “hacking” your fertility with food. We have heard about overly restrictive and extreme diets but is not recommended. In terms of overall health, balanced eating is recommended.
Stop smoking: On top of the long-term health effects of smoking (like cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and stroke), it also speeds up the rate of egg loss and reduces the chances of conception each cycle. Quitting smoking improves fertility outcomes. Underlying conditions: Common conditions like PCOS and hyper/hypothyroidism are characterized by changes in reproductive hormones that can affect cycle regularity and ovulation.
Fertility hormone testing is one way to check your levels and get some insight what is going on. If you have any of infertility conditions, your IVF Canada fertility specialist will review this will you and together you can develop a fertility plan to improve the likelihood that you will get pregnant.
When you are trying to conceive, the planning options available to you can be overwhelming. From which fertility treatment to choose to what medication is best. IVF Canada is here to guide you through each step of your journey and answer your questions about cycle tracking, treatment options, or when further evaluation may be needed.
The IVF Canada team can help you understand how to navigate your road to parenthood, whether you are currently trying to get pregnant, secondary infertility, or just being proactive about your health. You can always find support along your journey in our IVF Canada community. Contact us today! Call toll-free 18557541010.
