How to Increase Your Chances of Conception
Simple Lifestyle Changes for Natural Fertility
If you’re ready to boost your fertility like never before, then stick with me—because the steps I’m about to share will transform your chances of conception like for real! Whether you’re just starting to think about having a baby or you’ve been trying for a while, one thing is clear: preparing for conception isn’t a “wait and see” game. It’s an intentional process, and the best part? You have the power to make a huge impact on your fertility with just a few simple lifestyle changes.
Many women don’t realize that preparing for conception is crucial to increasing their chances of not only getting pregnant but having a healthy pregnancy. It’s about consciously caring for your body. The eggs that will become your baby start developing three months before you conceive, which means pregnancy actually begins well before you ever get that positive test. That’s why focusing on your health in the months leading up to conception is so important.
🌸 Why You Need to Prepare 🌸
Here’s the biology: the egg’s maturation process, leading up to ovulation, is a 90-day journey. During this time, the egg’s development is heavily influenced by the body’s hormone levels, nutrition, blood flow in the reproductive organs, and overall health.
By consciously preparing your body three months before trying to conceive, you’re not only boosting your chances of getting pregnant but also setting the stage for a healthier pregnancy and baby.
On the other hand, jumping straight into conception without any preparation could increase the risk of infertility, miscarriage, or congenital defects. I know it can be tempting to start trying right away, but trust me—patience is key. Give your body the time it needs to prepare for a healthier outcome.
🥕Digestion is Key:The Role of Chinese Medicine in Fertilit🥕
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), digestion is everything. And let's be honest, most of us in the Western world don’t have the greatest digestion—even if we think we do. There are many reasons for this: our food quality has gone downhill with the overuse of pesticides and we’re often stressed and running on adrenaline.
In TCM, the spleen and stomach are the foundation of digestion. The stomach receives food and breaks it down, while the spleen extracts energy (Qi) from the food and lifts it to the heart to help produce blood. The digestive organs aren’t just literal in TCM—they symbolize function and flow. So, digestion is about more than just breaking down food; it’s about converting that food into vital energy that fuels every process in your body, including reproduction.
In Western medicine, the importance of digestion is also emphasized. Inflammation, often starting in the gut, can interfere with hormonal health and overall well-being. Most people carry more inflammation than they realize, which can affect fertility.
🌿 Nutrition Changes: The Hard Truth 🌿
So, if you’re struggling to get pregnant, here’s the hard truth: some things in your lifestyle are going to need to change. Trust me, I know change can be hard—I'm not a fan of it either. But, with love and compassion, I want to remind you that this is part of the journey into motherhood. You will give up a little now, but what you gain in the end will be so worth it.
Here are a few things that will make a big difference:
Reduce or eliminate sugar and high-glycemic foods. These foods spike your insulin levels, throw off your cortisol, and can lead to insulin resistance, all of which negatively impact fertility. The good news? There are plenty of great recipes and alternatives out there, even for sweets!
Cut back or eliminate alcohol. I know this one is tough, but alcohol messes with your neurotransmitters and hormones. It’s hard on your body and can interfere with fertility. If you're serious about conceiving, it’s best to cut it out for now. Don’t worry—we can talk about the occasional beverage and how to navigate this.
Reduce or eliminate caffeine. If you can’t give it up entirely, make sure you eat something first and avoid consuming it every day. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow—and for conception, we need that blood flowing freely, especially to your reproductive organs!
🌼What’s Scientifically Proven to Help: Lifestyle Changes🌼
Research shows that your lifestyle choices have a direct impact on your fertility. Here are some additional top changes you can make to improve egg quality, digestive health, and overall reproductive function:
Diet: Nutrient-dense foods rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and vitamins are key to supporting egg health. Focus on foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, berries, and omega-3-rich foods like salmon. These can improve hormone balance and reduce oxidative stress on your eggs. Oh, and Prefer Organic food of course!
Exercise: Regular, moderate exercise is key to improving blood circulation, especially to your reproductive organs. Gentle movements like yoga, walking, or Pilates are perfect—just enough to get the blood flowing but not so intense that it taxes your adrenals.
Sleep: Quality sleep is essential for hormone regulation. Aim for 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to support your body’s natural cycles and fertility.
Relaxation: Stress is a major disruptor of hormone production, so finding ways to manage and reduce stress is critical. Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises are great ways to keep stress hormones in check and allow your reproductive system to function at its best.
Keep Your Feet Warm: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, all the meridians that flow through the uterus start in the feet. This means keeping your feet warm is more than just about comfort—it’s about supporting optimal circulation to your reproductive organs. Cold feet can signal poor circulation, which may impact fertility by reducing blood flow to the uterus. By warming your feet with cozy socks, warm baths, or foot massages, you help enhance blood flow along these meridians, creating a more nourishing environment for conception. So, next time you’re at home, make sure those feet are toast.
Acupuncture and Herbs: Acupuncture has been shown to boost fertility by improving blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, balancing hormones, and reducing stress. When combined with Chinese herbal supplements, acupuncture can further enhance your body’s natural ability to support conception.
A Real-Life Story: The Power of Preparation
I had a client who, after months of trying to conceive, was feeling frustrated and defeated. She decided to commit to a 3-month preparation plan that included dietary changes, acupuncture, and tracking her basal body temperature (BBT) to monitor her cycle. After just a few weeks, she started to notice some real changes: her digestion improved, her menstrual cycle became more regular, her PMS symptoms started to fade, and her BBT chart finally showed a clear, healthy shift in her ovulation patterns.
By the end of the three months, she felt more in control of her body and her fertility. Best of all? She conceived naturally, with a stronger sense of confidence in her body. Her journey shows just how powerful a little preparation can be.
✨ You can do it mama! ✨
To boost your fertility and prepare for conception, focus on these five simple yet powerful steps:
Nourish your body with a fertility-friendly diet.
Stay active with regular exercise to support circulation.
Prioritize sleep to balance your hormones.
Practice relaxation techniques to manage stress.
Consider acupuncture and herbal support to enhance your natural fertility and keep your feet warm!
Keep in mind that egg maturation takes about 3 months, so patience is key. Take this time to fully commit to the lifestyle changes before actively trying to conceive. It might be the hardest advice to follow, but it’s also the most important. Preparing your body now will make all the difference later.
And let’s not forget about your partner—conception is a team effort! They should be making diet changes too, focusing on improving sperm quality, because healthy conception relies on both strong eggs and strong sperm
Want to dive deeper into preparing for pregnancy with natural, holistic methods? Click here for more information on how acupuncture can help you get ready for your fertility journey or book a free 30 min consultation with me here.
