Know when you ovulate

One simple way to increase your chances of getting pregnant is to look at your hormones and know when you are ovulating. In order to get pregnant, you need to time intercourse around ovulation so sperm is available to fertilize an egg.

The Pearl Fertility App along with the Pearl hormone testing kit provides you the most in depth look into your hormones. Pearl looks at two different hormones and charts them in a graph so it’s easy for you to compare levels from the previous day or even month. Pearl also uses advanced technology to give you an early prediction about your fertile window so you can time intercourse and get pregnant fast!

Take your prenatal vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are not only important for pregnant women, but also for those who are trying to conceive. It’s never too early to start taking your vitamins! You can check out more in our blog post here.

A new brand we have our eye on is Perelel. Made by OBGYN’s and other specialists, these prenatal vitamins change with you throughout the course of your pregnancy journey. They start with preconception and adapt with you all the way through post-partum. They also come in convenient daily packs making it easy to remember to take.

Another great supplement endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association is FH Pro for Women. It contains vitamin and antioxidants to help reduce inflammation and improve ovarian health.

Quit smoking and heavy alcohol consumption

This can be the most difficult thing to change, but will also make the biggest difference. According to one study, heavy alcohol use may reduce ovarian reserve and decrease a woman’s ability to get pregnant. Smoking can also reduce your egg count at a faster rate then someone who doesn’t smoke and effect your egg quality.

Whenever you’re trying to quit an addictive behavior, it’s important to find support. You can look to the Center’s for Disease Control for resources on how to quit or check your local area for support groups or medical centers that provide treatment. If this is the one change you implement this year, this will be a huge accomplishment!

Eat a healthy diet

Studies have shown that high sugar, high saturated fat diets are associated with poorer fertility outcomes. Along with poor diet, high body mass index and inactivity put you at higher risk for infertility.

In 2021, make it a priority to eat more whole grains and unprocessed fruits and veggies. Decrease sugary beverages and stay hydrated with plenty of water. The Glow Bottle is a great way to make sure you’re getting adequate water intake throughout the day. Grab one for you and one for your new workout buddy! Having a friend to stay active with makes exercise more enjoyable and holds you accountable. Just make sure to keep a safe social distance and get outside.

Manage your stress & get plenty of sleep

Did you know sleep deprivation can actually be a cause of infertility? More people are sleeping less, working longer hours, and inevitably encountering more stress in their lives. Stress can suppress reproductive hormones and trigger an even further loss of sleep creating an unhealthy pattern that continues to perpetuate itself.

Practice healthy sleep habits like going to bed around the same time each evening, avoiding caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon and evening, and implementing a night time routine. One thing you may find helpful to add to your routine is the Calm App. Calm offers guided meditations, sleep stories, and more to help you relax, reduce stress, and get your hormones back on track.

Remember male fertility matters too

Male fertility is just as important as female fertility! According to The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, infertility is caused by one-third female factors, one-third male factors and one-third unexplained or combination. Men can benefit from all the above suggestions (besides the need to track ovulation) including a good vitamin.

At Pearl, we love Beli Vitality for Men to help with overall sperm health. Their unique combination of vitamins and antioxidants help to improve sperm count and quality, improving your chances of conceiving a healthy baby.

Detox your beauty regimen

Certain chemicals found in your everyday beauty products can actually be harmful to the reproductive system. Things like phthalates and parabens that are found in many cosmetics, lotions, soaps and shampoos can change your fertility without you knowing. Some simple switches to cleaner products may make a huge difference while requiring very little effort.

The firs step you can take it is to check out Environmental Working Group to see where your products stand. If your looking to purchase new products, Beautycounter has makeup, skincare and bath lines that restrict over 1,800 harmful chemicals that many countries allow.

We’re here to help!

We know there can be an overwhelming amount of information to sort through when you decide to try and get pregnant. We can’t replace medical advice from a trusted provider or OBGYN and always recommend you check in with your doctor for a health visit when you decide you want to conceive. Feel free to reach out to us via our chat and we’ll do our best to answer your questions or point you in the right direction. Non-alcoholic cheers to 2021!