Deciding to have a baby and become a parent can be exciting, but getting pregnant may not be as easy as it may seem. Many couples are affected by fertility problems, and there is no way to predict how long it will take you to become pregnant. Luckily, there are things you can do to boost your fertility.

If you have already seen a doctor to get your prenatal vitamins and supplements, and got a full health check, then you are ready to become pregnant. Follow these steps to increase fertility and get pregnant faster.

Know Your Cycle

The time you are most likely to become pregnant is when you are ovulating, but how can know when you are ovulating if you do not understand your cycle well? Typically, women have a 28-day cycle and ovulate on day 14 of their cycle. Some women, however, have shorter or longer cycles so you need to include more days to be sure.

Reach Your Healthy Weight

Being overweight or underweight can reduce the chance of becoming pregnant, so strive to reach a healthy weight. This will not only increase your chance of becoming pregnant but will also reduce the chance of several pregnancy complications that may affect you or your baby.

Quit Smoking

Smoking affects fertility and makes it harder for you to become pregnant. So, if you are planning to get pregnant, it makes sense to quit smoking now to get pregnant faster, become a healthier person overall, and protect your baby from its negative effects. Second-hand smoke is just as bad; avoid people who are smoking.

Eat Healthily

Following a healthy and balanced diet can help you lose weight, and it can provide you with the nutrients and vitamins your body needs in addition to boost fertility. Eat more vegetables and fruit, which are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, and reduce sugary foods and drinks. Additionally, avoid eating foods rich in saturated or trans fats like deep-fried foods, and choose healthy fats such as in avocados, lean cuts of meat, and olive oil.

Physical Activity

Physical activity is another thing you can do to lose weight if you need to and boost fertility at the same time. Some studies have linked a sedentary lifestyle with reduced fertility. Aim to increase physical activity gradually to avoid injuring yourself. Remember that too much of a good thing might not be good at all. In fact, exercising excessively can reduce fertility and make it harder for you to get pregnant.

If you have tried these and other tips and are still unable to become pregnant after a year of trying, visit a fertility specialist to check if you have any health problems that are preventing you from getting pregnant.