What can I do to improve my chances of having a baby?

Ensuring a healthy lifestyle with nutritious foods, exercise, and stable mental health can support you and your partner's body for conception and pregnancy.

These factors optimize regular periods, ovulation (egg release), and healthy sperm for increasing chances for pregnancy. Reducing and stopping substances like alcohol, cannabis, cigarettes, or other drugs can also improve chances for pregnancy as these affect egg and sperm travel. These also harm the growth and health of the baby and placenta during pregnancy and beyond.

If you have any medical conditions (diabetes, thyroid problems, seizures, autoimmune issues, inflammatory bowel disease, gynecological or urological problems), a discussion with your doctor before or during trying to get pregnant can help identify any areas that need attention. Many medications are important to continue while others may need adjustment.

Preventative health measures (checking for sexually transmitted infections, vaccinations (measles, mumps, rubella), pap smears, healthy habit counselling) can also be addressed when planning but not yet pregnant.

Every individual is different, which is why your doctor will be able to provide you with guidance on which lifestyle and medical changes or medications can improve your chances of having a baby.