When it comes to getting pregnant, for some people it happens quickly and almost without effort, for others, it can feel like it is never going to happen. We all know that there are plenty of chemically enhanced options, however, there is no harm in upping your methods by throwing a few fun and natural ways to increase your fertility.

5 Natural Ways to Increase Fertility

Here are a few ways you can naturally boost your chance of falling pregnant. (Always work with your fertility doctor or GP to make sure these are suitable for you and your situation).

Get Moving

Exercise has plenty of benefits, fertility is one of them. Make an effort to walk or jog each day for 30 minutes to an hour at a moderate pace. Getting the heart racing will help burn any extra calories and up your fitness (which you’ll need when you’re chasing a toddler around in 18 months time).

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Relax

Stress levels in the body, of course, will have a negative impact on your chances of getting pregnant. There are specific hormonal changes that take place when you are stressed, the high levels of cortisol were found to reduce the probability of getting pregnant. Head to a spa, or your local fertility acupuncture specialist and get that all important me time and relaxation. Even a long bath and an early night will help reduce your stress levels.

Wine & Beer

Although it isn’t really clear it is always recommended that you don’t consume an excessive amount of alcohol. A general study found that drinking more than 8 glasses a week was associated with a longer time trying to get pregnant. However, the jury is still out on all of this, but there is no harm in dropping your weekly intake.

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Caffeine

Unsurprisingly it isn’t recommended that you drink coffee after coffee while pregnant, so it stands to reason that when trying to get pregnant if you cut the caffeine your body is a most hospitable environment. One study noted that women who consumed 500mg or more of caffeine daily took almost a year longer to get pregnant. So swap your caffeine fix for caffeine free – all of the flavors with none of the worry.

Eat Well

If you are regularly stocking your body up on processed food with little to no nutrients, then you should address this asap. Changing it up to eat plenty of zinc and folate-rich foods, they zap any of those free radicals that might cause damage to eggs and sperm. A handful of walnuts per day will help a man improve his sperm quality.

Up your intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. Certain types of fiber are known to remove excess estrogen by binding it and removing it as a waste product.

It can be really hard to try to keep having fun with your partner when thing aren’t happening as fast as you’d like, but keeping your stress levels low, relaxing and enjoying each other (and eating all that good food) you’re more likely to get that bundle of joy a little earlier than expected.