Top 10 Tips to Boost Your Chances of Getting Pregnant

Sure, this sounds like a given, but believe it or not, not everyone follows this rule. Many couples try to time intercourse during ovulation, but don't have sex when the female is not ovulating. While it's true that a woman needs to be ovulating to get pregnant, many women ovulate at different times from month to month and miscalculate their most fertile dates. Additionally, an egg is only viable for 24 hours after ovulation, making it near impossible to time sex perfectly.

The solution? Have sex about three times a week (having it too often may reduce sperm count). Sperm can live up to three days in a woman's body, so you'll increase your chances of getting pregnant, even if you have sex three days before you ovulate.

If you are trying to naturally calculate your cycle, take your temperature every morning before you get out of bed, and record it. As you get closer to ovulating, your body temperature will drop slightly, and then spike up when ovulation has occurred.

By charting your temperature for several months, you'll be able to calculate when you ovulate a little more easily, and therefore increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Although no definitive studies have proven this, many experts believe that having sex in the missionary position, and lying on your back afterwards, increases your odds of getting pregnant. Placing a pillow under your hips may increase your chances even further.

Why is this? Simply put--gravity. Lying on your back with your hips tilted up will encourage the flow of semen to your uterus.

Although there is no solid proof, some studies have shown a link between caffeine consumption and the ability to conceive. To be safe, try to consume less than 300 milligrams a day. Since drinking large amounts of caffeine while pregnant is a no-no anyway, you might as well start cutting back now.

Depression can play a role in suppressing a woman's ability to get pregnant, and the vitamin D that your body produces when exposed to sunlight has been shown to be a natural mood-booster. Some studies have also shown vitamin D to play a part in hormone production in both men and women. In addition, vitamin D helps maintain proper levels of calcium in your body, and can help your baby develop healthy bones and teeth.

While no studies have directly linked sunlight and conception, it can't hurt to get a little extra. Just remember to keep unprotected exposure down to only 5-10 minutes, so as not to damage your skin.

In addition, the amount of vitamin D found in foods is often negligible, so many experts recommend a dietary supplement to ensure your vitamin D needs are met.

To produce the right quality and quantity of sperm, the temperature of a man's testes must be lower than his body temperature - hence they are located outside of his body. Some believe wearing briefs raises their temperature by holding them too close to the body, and therefore plays a role in a man's sperm count. Have your partner ditch his briefs in favor of some looser-fitting boxers, but be aware that it takes 10-11 weeks to produce sperm, so don't expect overnight results.

Just remember, this isn't a sure-fire way to increase sperm count. If you and your partner are having trouble conceiving, getting him tested for low sperm count is something to consider.

Studies have shown that women with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30 or under 20 have a harder time getting pregnant than those in the 20 to 30 range. The reason is that your body fat produces hormones that affect your menstrual cycle, and being over- or underweight can disrupt your natural cycle. So strive for a healthy BMI, with the most ideal range being between 20-24.

Some research has suggested that stress management, such as yoga and meditation, can play a role in a woman's ability to get pregnant. Reducing stress in your body has been shown to increase ovarian activity. So relax, enjoy yourself, and let nature do the rest!

Specifically, soy. Soy acts like estrogen in the body, and can make it more difficult for sperm to swim and fertilize the egg. Read your food labels and try not to consume large amounts.

In addition, start loading up on folic acid by taking a daily prenatal vitamin. The Food and Drug Administration recommends all women trying to get pregnant fuel up on this B vitamin to help protect against serious birth defects that affect a fetus' brain and spinal column.

Bisphenol A (BPA) seems to be everywhere in the news lately, and unfortunately it pertains to women trying to conceive, too. Many experts believe that this chemical found in plastics, and even some cans, is a culprit of "hormone mimicking." This can disrupt a woman's hormonal balance and affect her ability to get pregnant. BPA is also believed to play a part in causing egg abnormalities and increased blood levels, raising a woman's chances of suffering a miscarriage.

So be sure to look for "BPA-free" on plastic products, especially those in contact with food.