If you want to conceive as soon as possible, follow these tips. As in everything else in life, a little planning can make all the difference when you’ve decided you want a baby.

Start with a visit to the doctor

A regular gynecologist or an obstetrician – you can decide among yourselves on whom you want to see and look around for a good one. Ask your family and friends, even neighbors orcheck online. Once you have decided on a choice, fix an appointment. It’s best that both of you make the first visit – that way you are both mentally committed and can get to know if you are ready for baby-making as well as the changes you need to make to be fit for it. Usually, if there are any changes to be made, it might take a little longer before you see results, but unless you find out from your doctor, you won’t know what they are. Besides there are no short cuts that you can take – without a doctors’ advice – to know of any change or adjustment necessary. Remember that there is absolutely no stigma in involving a doctor, rather things will get so much easier, with expert help.

A healthy pregnancy needs pre-natal supplements

This again can only be under medical supervision. Pre-natal supplements and vitamins help prepare your body to nourish new life – that of your baby to come. Folic acid is recommended by all doctors to be taken a month or two before you try to conceive. Folic acid is a nutrient that can immensely reduces the risk of birth defects. It especially prevents spina bifida or the incomplete closing of the backbone and membranes around the spinal cord in the developing fetus.The thing with spina bifida is that it develops even before you know you are pregnant i.e., the period between conception and the first confirmation of pregnancy. That’s why it is recommended to take folic acid (and other supplements if needed) as soon as you decide you want to have a baby.

Stop smoking if you do. Drinking as well.

A healthy baby develops from what you feed it physically (and mentally). If you are a regular smoker or drinker or both and you’ve decided on having a baby, you need to say no to alcohol & cigarette. More so the smoking. It’s amazing how once you decide to be a mother, responsibility kicks in and makes you quit, even if you are quite the chimney, so to speak. Smoking could lead to a miscarriage and birth defects, why risk it? This goes for both of you – as smoking can also tell on your man’s sperm count. Besides second-hand smoking – that of your man’s – is equally bad. You also need to reduce your caffeine intake, be it coffee, colas or energy drinks. Caffeine can affect your fertility.

Find out when you ovulate. This is important.

Ovulation is the process of releasing an egg from your ovary. To get pregnant fast, you need to know when you ovulate. During each menstrual cycle, you will ovulate only once. If you can determine when you ovulate, you can time your being together – increasing the chances of getting pregnant in that menstrual cycle. In fact, it is your best chance. Keep in mind that an egg can survive only for up to 24 hours after ovulation while sperm can survive for up to 72 hours after release. If you have a regular menstrual cycle of 28 days, ovulation typically happens around day 14. One sign is the increase of your cervical mucous – it will be most slippery about the time of your ovulation.

Time your being together. Important again!

Once you determine when you ovulate, being together is very important as it is your most fertile period. This period starts 3-4 days before you ovulate to the day of actual ovulation. (As mentioned earlier, on a regular menstrual cycle of 28 days, ovulation typically happens around day 14. Count 3-4 days backwards from your 14th day). The best thing to do is have sex every day during this time. Every second day is also fine. Remember that sperms can survive, once released, for up to 74-hours. So, don’t stress yourself to have sex every day during your ovulation period if it is not possible for any reason. Every alternate day will also be fine. If you have been abstaining from sex aiming for your most fertile period, your man needs to release himself a day or two before you have intercourse so as to flush out the dead sperms in his semen.Dead sperms in semen reduce the possibility of pregnancy.

Eat healthy and relax

It’s important to eat healthy. It increases your chance of getting pregnant faster. Both of you must maintain a normal weight and cut out anything that’s unhealthy from your diet. A balanced diet of proteins, vegetables, fruits and fiber is a good way to go. Go easy on salt and sugar intake as well as on processed food. Some even recommend staying off broiler chicken. The best meal would be a home cooked meal to have during the period of your baby-making. In fact, you need to start this health drive even before you get serious about having a baby. A healthy mind is also necessary – relax! If a bit of meditation can help, by all means mediate. For those unschooled in meditation, here’s a simple method. Sit still in a calm place and simply concentrate on your breath for about 5 minutes. Breathe in deeply. Breathe out deeply, all the while feeling your breath and concentrating your mind on it.

How fast is fast really?

Fast can be as fast as 6 months to a year. If you are below 35, you could try for a year or so. If you are above 35, give it a shot for about 6 months. Many see success within this period. And with the rise of infertility issues in recent times, many don’t see success too. There’s nothing major to worry if you are unsuccessful. It only means you need to take other measures to get pregnant. These can only be decided by your doctor and differs from case to case. The key is not to get disheartened. With the advancement in medicine and by making changes in lifestyle, you’ll be holding your little bundle soon enough. Meanwhile follow these steps. It’s a simple commitment you can make to have a happy addition to your family.