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So you and your partner have decided that this is the year you’re finally going to start or expand your family. While making the decision to have a baby is an exciting time for many couples, there are a few things you should make sure to do if you’re starting on the path to parenthood.

Below, the fertility doctors at UNC Fertility Center in North Carolina go over four things couples should do if trying to conceive this year to give them the best chance of success.

  1. Make Sure You’re BOTH As Healthy As Possible

Being physically healthy is one of the most important things you and your partner can do to increase your chances of achieving a pregnancy. While many may assume that women are the ones who need to make lifestyle changes when trying to conceive, men need to do the same. Achieving a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and maintaining an active lifestyle can all positively impact both female and male fertility. Additionally, now is the time to start taking certain vitamins and supplements. For women, taking a pre-natal vitamin once you start trying to conceive will help make sure your body is getting all of the vitamins and minerals it needs to carry a healthy pregnancy.

  1. Pinpoint Ovulation

Women are only fertile a few days out of the month, making timing intercourse incredibly important for conceiving. Some women ovulate early, others ovulate late, and some don’t ovulate every month or at all. The easiest way to figure out when you have the highest chance of success? Using an ovulation predictor kit! These kits can help you find out on which days you are the most fertile and should have intercourse, taking the guesswork out of the equation.

  1. Be Patient

So you’ve been trying for a couple of months and still no positive pregnancy test. While seeing that negative result each month can definitely get you down, realize that it can take some time for even young, healthy couples to conceive. For women 30 and under, the chance of getting pregnant is only around 20% each month, meaning you may need to try for a while before you are successful. The chances of conceiving each month also go down as you age, but if you have trouble conceiving, it may be time to see a specialist.

  1. Speak With A Specialist

For women 30 and under, it may be time to see a specialist after a year of trying without success. For women between 35 and 39, help should be sought after six months of trying without success. Women age 40 and older should speak with a fertility specialist once they decide to conceive. If you find that you need to see a fertility doctor in order to achieve your dreams of family, make sure you reach out to a reputable fertility clinic with a long history of success like UNC Fertility.

While it can be exciting, trying to conceive can also be stressful, especially if you find that you may need fertility help. But remember, the team of fertility specialists at UNC Fertility are here to help you make those dreams of family a reality. If you have been struggling to conceive and need to seek additional fertility help, contact UNC Fertility’s fertility center in North Carolina today at 919-908-0000 to schedule your initial consultation with one of our fertility doctors.