Getting pregnant is a magical experience. It can also be nerve-wracking, and there’s no way of telling exactly how long it will take for you to conceive.
If you’re trying to conceive, you might feel anxious about the time it takes to get pregnant. The good news is that you can do many things to increase your chances of getting pregnant sooner!
The first few months can be exciting. But it could also quickly spiral down to be stressful and confusing.
The best thing you can do is learn as much as possible about fertility and your body’s response to pregnancy so that you have a better understanding of what’s going on inside your body.
You could have questions like:
How long will it take to get pregnant?
How do you know if you’re pregnant?
What are the changes my body will go through once I become pregnant?
In this article, we’ll share tips on what you can expect when trying to get pregnant and advise how to deal with the various emotions and changes that may arise during your journey.
Start of pregnancy: Four Days Post Ovulation
You might be pregnant, but it’s still too early to tell. This is the fourth day past ovulation — a very early stage in your cycle’s luteal phase (the time after an egg is released). If the egg released during ovulation is fertilized, it’s an early step toward becoming pregnant.
Now, if you’re pregnant at 4 DPO, one of the most common early pregnancy symptoms is nausea. You may also experience the urge to throw up and feel a general sickness around food or specific scent (even your favorite ones!).
Pregnancy hormones can affect your sleep patterns as well: Some women find that they wake up more often than usual; others might sleep longer than expected due to fatigue or morning sickness.
Implantation dipping and spotting.
You may experience implantation bleeding between the sixth and twelfth days after fertilization. This is when a fertilized egg implants into your uterus.
Implantation bleeding may occur right around the time you think you may be getting your period. And there’s no way to tell the difference between implantation and menstrual bleeding.
If the implantation is successful, you might experience spotting or light cramping. If unsuccessful, your period will start.
Odd twinges and nudges, a.k.a “Pregnancy sensations.”
During pregnancy, you might feel odd twinges and nudges. This is what most doctors refer to as “pregnancy sensations.” Along with the weird sensations and changes in your body, expect the following:
- Feeling tired and having trouble sleeping.
- Have heartburn or indigestion.
- A sore or tender abdomen. Some women notice that their breasts are tender, particularly in the mornings.
- Have constant headaches, mood swings, and weird cravings (jalapeno poppers?).
These can be due to increased hormone levels during pregnancy. But if you suffer from PMS (premenstrual syndrome), you might mistake the early pregnancy signs for that of your PMS.
Every woman’s body is different. While it’s normal for a woman to get pregnant within 3-6 months of trying, it’s also common for couples to take longer. So don’t stress yourself if you think it’s taking longer. It might sound easier than done, but remember that a healthy mind and body are more likely to conceive.
Take care of yourself with plenty of rest, exercise, and balanced meals. Stress can affect your ability to conceive, so try to relax!
Some things to try:
- Eat healthy foods.
- Exercise regularly.
- Don’t drink too much alcohol or caffeine.
- Make sure you’re getting enough sleep.
If you still have trouble conceiving after a year, talk with your doctor about other options.
It’s normal to feel excited and hopeful. But there can be bumps along the way because getting pregnant isn’t always as easy as it seems.
But nothing matches the experience of becoming a mother, and it’s one experience you’ll enjoy no matter how and what happens.
Takeaway
It can be stressful and confusing when you’re trying to get pregnant, but it doesn’t have to be. Preparing yourself and your mind will make all the difference in your journey toward starting a family. What is the best advice? Get organized, get informed, and start taking care of yourself!
There are many things you can do to prepare yourself for pregnancy. First and foremost: take care of your body! Exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest. These steps will help ensure that your body is ready for pregnancy and childbirth.
In addition to taking care of your body, it’s also essential to prepare your mind for pregnancy. The more prepared you are mentally and emotionally before trying to conceive, the easier it will be when conception does happen. Don’t underestimate this vital step—you can’t just jump into parenthood without being prepared first!