DO YOU WANT TO GET PREGNANT?

You can get ready for pregnancy by changing some habits and adopting new lifestyle rules. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for pregnancy calmly, while letting nature take its course.

•   Talk to your doctor or gynaecologist

Talk to your doctor or gynaecologist about your general health, your vaccinations, any iron deficiency, your lifestyle and your cycle. They will be able to give you advice on how to prepare yourself and anticipate any risks.

•  Stop taking your contraception

Whether you are on the pill, IUD, implant or any other method, the first thing to do is to stop your contraception. Then, the time to conceive depends on each woman. You may become pregnant in the next cycle or you may have to wait several months.

•   Find your ovulation period

Identifying favorable days for conception is an essential step in maximizing your chances of conceiving. The 2 or 3 days before the day of ovulation and the day itself would be the ideal periods for the fertilization of the egg. It is during this period that a sperm can meet an egg and fertilize it. Both the menstrual cycle and the date of ovulation vary from woman to woman and are not always regular. To know the moment of ovulation and therefore the most fertile period of your cycle, use our ovulation calculator.

•   Eat well

From the very first days of pregnancy, the embryo will draw the energy and nutrients necessary for its proper development from your reserves. It can take several months for a woman to build up satisfactory reserves of minerals and vitamins.

A balanced diet, rich in fruit and vegetables, is more important than ever. Give preference to foods rich in iron and vitamin B9. These play an essential role, from the very first weeks, in the development of the embryo’s nervous system. And of course, avoid alcohol.

•   Do exercise

Being fit will make pregnancy and childbirth easier. If you are not athletic, daily walking is a great way to start. Before embarking on an exercise programme, consult a sports professional to make sure it’s right for your physical condition. This is also a good time to stop smoking.

•   Avoid stress

Fertile couples have a 20% conception rate per cycle, or a 1 in 5 chance of getting pregnant. The stress of wanting a baby can reduce your chances of conceiving a baby. Before worrying, it is advisable to give yourself time. Gynaecologists agree that there is no need to worry until a year has passed.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help and talk to your doctor.

FEMALE CYCLE AND OVULATION

•   FERTILE PERIOD OF A WOMAN

The female cycle begins on the first day of menstruation and ends on the first day of the next period. It varies from woman to woman and usually lasts between 28 and 35 days.

The menstrual cycle consists of 3 phases:

• The follicular phase (about 14 days, including 5 days of menstruation)
• Ovulation (24 hours on average)
• The luteal phase (about 14 days)

Ovulation corresponds to the phase of expulsion of the ovum (egg) from the ovary, ready to be fertilised by a spermatozoon and to give birth to an embryo.

The life span of the egg is approximately 12 to 24 hours after its expulsion from the ovary. Sperm survives in the cervix and remains fertile for about 3-5 days.

The 2 or 3 days before and the day after ovulation would be the ideal time for fertilisation of the egg.

Le cycle menstruel est en moyenne de 28 jours et la date d’ovulation survient généralement le 14^ème jour du cycle. Le cycle menstruel tout comme la date d’ovulation varient d’une femme à l’autre et parfois d’un cycle à l’autre. Plus votre cycle est régulier, plus il est probable que votre période d’ovulation concorde avec le résultat du calculateur.

Le calendrier d’ovulation n’est pas adapté comme moyen de contraception.

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