by Jessica Riffe

Created on: October 12, 2009   Last Updated: October 13, 2009

The urge to have a baby can be overwhelming. It's easy to get stressed out if getting pregnant doesn't happen as quickly as you'd like. Instead of getting bent out of shape, relax and try a few of these tips for boosting your chances for conception.

1. Make sure you're healthy. This may sound cliche but maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly are essential to not only conceiving, but also to ensuring a healthy pregnancy.

2. Don't smoke, drink alcohol excessively, or use drugs. Again, this one sounds like a no brainer. If you currently smoke, take the appropriate steps to quit now. It's no secret that smoking is bad for your health, and fertility is no exception. Limit your alcohol intake, and even consider not drinking at all, especially if it's possible you may have conceived.

3. Know your cycle. It is essential to know when you ovulate. There are several ways to track ovulation. One way is to use a basal body thermometer. This thermometer measures temperature in hundredths of a degree instead of the typical tenths of a degree. You should temp every morning before getting out of bed or even talking, and you should temp around the same time every day. BBT's are very common and inexpensive and can be purchased at most drug stores. The easiest way to keep up with your basal temperature is to track it on a free website such as http://www.fertilityfriend.com/. Another sign of ovulation is having cervical mucus that resembles egg whites. You can also use ovulation predictor kits. These tests work much like pregnancy tests. They come in either strips that are dipped in a clean sample of urine, or midstream tests. OPK's will help you pin point ovulation by turning positive when you are within 12-36 hours of ovulating. This makes timing sex much easier.

4. Take supplements. This includes taking a daily multi vitamin, a DHEA supplement, and a supplement called Evening Primrose Oil, or EPO. EPO is said to improve the quantity and quality of cervical mucus, thus improving the chances of conception. As a bonus, it also helps alleviate symptoms of PMS, and helps with mild acne. EPO should be taken from the first day of your period until you ovulate.

5. Take a cough syrup. This may sound strange, but many swear by it. Cough syrups work by thinning the mucus in your lungs. Since the medicine has the same thinning effect on all mucus membranes, not just the ones in your lungs, it helps thin cervical mucus. Thinner cervical mucus is more slippery, which makes it easier for sperm to travel through the cervix. You must make sure you get a cough syrup that's only active ingredient is guaifenesin. Make sure you don't get one that contains an antihistamine because they have the opposite effect on mucus membranes. For conception, it should be taken around the time of ovulation.

6. Use a sperm friendly lubricant. Many lubricants will kill sperm so make sure you search for one that specifically says that is sperm friendly.

7. Use a disposable soft cup. Using one of these alternative products, typically used for your period, can be very helpful in conception. The soft cup is placed over your cervix after sex to help prevent sperm from slipping out of your cervix, thus increasing your chance of conception.

Making a baby can be hard work. It can be very emotional and stressful. Try to remember that this is a difficult process that leads to the greatest gift you could imagine, and have fun along the way!

*Always consult your doctor before taking any medications, supplements, or beginning an exercise program.

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