Getting pregnant fast: our scientific advice

When embarking on a pregnancy project, it’s not always easy to know how to track your cycle and identify your most fertile days. In this article, May explains how to boost your fertility when you want to get pregnant quickly.

What are the best times to try to conceive?

The female cycle includes four phases: the follicular phase, the ovulatory fertile phase, the luteal phase, and menstruation. It’s commonly said that the average cycle length is 28 days, but in reality it varies between women. That’s why it’s worth observing your own cycle when you’re trying for a baby. This way, you’ll more easily identify your fertile windows. The favorable time in the cycle for getting pregnant is during ovulation (the time in the month when an egg is released by the ovaries). Sperm can survive up to 120 hours (3 to 5 days) in the uterus, so the fertility window starts a few days before ovulation and lasts up to 24 hours after. This is the ideal time in the cycle to have intercourse if you want to conceive. That said, we recommend not putting too much pressure on dates; this period is a great opportunity to learn to observe your cycle but shouldn’t become a major source of stress.

How can I determine my fertility window?

You can identify your fertility window by using a cycle tracking method to observe how your cycle works (whether the phases are always the same, the timing is unique to each woman and can even vary from one cycle to another). It’s up to you to choose the method that suits you best.

Cycle observation methods (MOC)

Cycle observation methods (MOC) are scientific and reliable ways to track the ovulatory cycle, based on daily observation of fertility “biomarkers”. What are biomarkers? They provide a lot of information, going beyond just fertility, making each woman’s observation chart a valuable tool for gynecology healthcare providers, both for diagnosis and therapy. There are two main types of MOC:

• Observing cervical mucus only

: with this method, you pay attention to how your vulva feels throughout the day. Is it dry? Moist? Wet or slippery? FertilityCare Method: you observe your cervical mucus when using the toilet or when wiping.

• Observing both cervical mucus and basal body temperature

: this involves measuring your temperature daily; when it rises, it indicates ovulation has occurred. Additionally, you can observe the appearance of cervical mucus. For these methods to be effective, it’s important to practice them daily. You can get trained in MOC by healthcare professionals. You can record all your observations in the May app by going to our cycle tracking calendar.

The Ogino or calendar method

The Ogino or calendar technique involves observing your cycle length over several months to identify your fertile period. The start of the fertile period is calculated by subtracting 20 days from your shortest cycle, and the end by subtracting 10 days from your longest cycle. You can also use our calendar in the May app to closely track your cycle!

Ovulation tests

You can also use an ovulation test to track your cycle. An ovulation test is a device available at pharmacies or supermarkets that allows you to detect ovulation at home with a urine test. There are different types of tests: simple tests or digital tests. Regardless of the type, they detect the presence of the ovulation hormone LH (luteinizing hormone) in the urine. You can do several tests before your estimated ovulation date (about 5 days before), until the test turns positive. When the test is positive, it means fertility is at its peak and ovulation will occur within the next few hours and up to 48 hours later.

What role does diet play in the ability to conceive quickly?

As mentioned earlier, your health has an overall impact on your fertility. Your diet plays an important role when you’re trying to conceive. Eating well provides a range of nutrients and vitamins necessary for your body’s proper functioning. By adopting a varied and balanced diet, you help improve your general health. Good to know: being overweight is a known factor that can decrease fertility. This affects both women and men. Excess weight causes hormonal disruption that harms fertility due to excess estrogen production in adipose tissue (fat). Don’t hesitate to consult a dietitian for personalized advice if needed. If cooking isn’t your strong suit, don’t worry! There’s no need to be a master chef to prepare simple and healthy meals. Here are some tips and ideas for a perfect pre-conception plate:

• A protein-rich, omega-3-filled English-style breakfast: eggs, cold cuts, cheese, sardines, avocado, with a hot or cold sugar-free drink. We recommend avoiding fruits and fruit juices in the morning as they cause a glycemic spike that can affect your day.
• Whole grain bread instead of white bread, richer in fiber.
• Colorful plates that make you want to eat!
• If you love pasta, choose whole grain pasta and don’t hesitate to swap them for brown rice or legumes (like lentils), which offer superior micronutritional benefits.
• Spices and herbs in your dishes: they have great micronutritional properties.
• Daily omega-3s. You can also include 100 to 200 grams of small oily fish (sardines, mackerel, anchovies, and herring) per week.
• 1.5 liters of water per day (2 liters is even better) to maintain good hydration.
• A mid-morning snack if you’re hungry: yogurt, cheese, nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts…).
• An afternoon snack if you feel like it.
• For dinner, prefer plant-based meals (soups, mixed salads) and avoid proteins at night.
• Vegetables during meals and a piece of fruit at the end.
• If you like coffee or tea, try not to exceed three cups per day. Beyond that, opt for decaf or caffeine-free herbal teas.
• If possible, it’s best to limit sugary drinks like sodas as much as possible.

While these tips apply to both men and women, there are some specific points to help boost male fertility. Here’s a list of foods (mainly from the Mediterranean diet) that can help improve sperm quality:

• Fruits and green vegetables rich in various vitamins and antioxidants.
• Small oily fish rich in omega-3s.
• Cereals and legumes.
• A handful of hazelnuts (75g) to eat every day.
• Sunflower seeds.
• Foods like peanuts, lentils, chives, sesame seeds, mustard, almonds, Brazil nuts…

What vitamins and supplements are recommended to increase fertility?

Your overall health can impact your fertility. To optimize it, it may be helpful to have a check-up with your doctor or midwife to identify possible deficiencies and, if necessary, include certain supplements in your routine, like vitamin D. This vitamin is often deficient in the population. It stimulates the production of progesterone and estrogen, key hormones for conception. It’s almost impossible to have optimal vitamin D levels without daily supplementation. Remember to ask your doctor or midwife for a prescription. Good to know: hormonal contraception can cause micronutrient deficiencies well known to scientists. For example, vitamins B2, B6, B12, C, and E, and minerals: magnesium, zinc, and selenium. A blood test may be necessary to assess deficiencies and address them with diet and ap This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May ES/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.