8 Tips to Increase Chances of Conception

1. When you decide you're ready to start trying to get pregnant, make an appointment with your midwife.  Together, you can review your health history (i.e. hypertension, diabetes, thyroid issues) to identify any risks or obstacles to get under control before you conceive.
2. Get to your ideal Body Mass Index (BMI).  The ideal BMI for pregnancy is between 20 and 25.  Being over or underweight can have an adverse affect hormones.
3. STOP SMOKING.  Everyone should do this anyway, but studies show that women who smoke and are trying to get pregnant can take up to a year and a half to conceive.
4. Limit your alcohol.  Heavy drinking affects fertility by increasing the amount of time it takes to get pregnant and reduces your chances of having a healthy baby.  This goes for men as well.  In addition, smoking marijuana reduces male sperm motility and decreases sperm count.
5. Try to conceive in Winter or Spring.  Studies show that male sperm are healthier during these times.
6. Track your ovulation.  You can download free apps to track your cycle, purchase ovulation predictor kits or use the basal body temperature method.  Generally, ovulation occurs around day 14 before your next cycle begins.
7. Have sex before and after ovulation.  Have sex in the 4 days leading up to ovulation and 1 to 2 days after.
8. Avoid commercial lubricants.  They have adverse effects on conception by decreasing sperm motility and potentially harming the sperm.  Opt for natural substitutes like olive oil.

BONUS TIP— Relax!  Your sexual activity should now have two goals instead of one.  Making a baby and climaxing.  Stress has harmful effects on the body and stressing out over conception isn’t helping you, your partner, or conceiving.


For more information on this topic visit Parents.com

Community Class Success!

We had such a great time last night at our FIRST Community Class at Ellwood Thompson's last night! Thank you to all of our participants, it was actually quite a diverse crowd of couples in different stages of conception and some wonderful doulas wanting to learn more!  We will absolutely be doing another class there, topic to be decided...any suggestions?

Beginning the Birth Journey...A Community Class at Ellwood Thompson's

Corina Hossle will be speaking at The Beet Cafe community classroom at Ellwood Thompson's on Wednesday, August 3rd at 6:30pm for an educational hour about beginning the beautiful birth journey!

Join us as we Begin the Birth Journey…

From Conscious Conception through the First Trimester, the emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of both Mothers and Fathers impact their baby’s development and future…the cells that will create your baby are being nourished now!   Corina Hossle, Midwife and Birth Center Founder, will lead you through an informative and inspiring evening, giving you the tools you need to create an optimal pregnancy and birth.

While discussing the importance of preconception nutrition, we’ll cover simple and effective ways to increase your health.  Learn natural tricks to help you thrive— and not just survive, the physical changes and challenges of the first trimester.  Take away accurate and up-to-date information on the safety of herbs, homeopathics and essential oils during these critical first weeks of fetal development.

Partners are welcome!

This class is FREE!