Swaddle this: How to get pregnant

If you’ve spent a lot of time figuring out how to NOT get pregnant, it can be hard to figure out how to actually get pregnant when you’re ready. How do you figure out what to do when you know you are ready to have a baby? And when is it time to stop birth control before trying to get pregnant?

Are you really ready to have a baby?

Parenthood is such a big deal that you might never feel really and truly ready, but that doesn’t mean you’re not ready. Here are some resources to help you figure stuff out at this stage.

• Questions to help you decide if you’re ready to have a baby What to ask yourself before you jump in. From Life Kit.
• Get your life ready for a baby. If you feel ready, these are your next steps. From BabyCentre.

Since having a baby is a lifelong, life-changing commitment, it really makes sense to think about when you do it, who you do it with, and under what circumstances. And here’s some great news for married couples and non-marrieds who are living together and feeling ready for a kid: Planning the right time to have a baby can boost a child’s wellbeing. So, an important thing you can do for your baby is to be deliberate, thoughtful, and communicative about the decision to get pregnant.

Trying to conceive after birth control

As you prepare to go off birth control, look up your method to see how soon you can expect your fertility to kick in.

• If you’ve decided to have a baby, it’s a good idea to see a health care provider before you get pregnant. We can help you find one.
• Are you ovulating? Here’s how to determine your fertile days.

Best days to have sex when trying to conceive

To become pregnant, sperm needs to fertilize an egg. This means you need to get sperm to your egg around the time of ovulation, but the timing doesn’t have to be exact. Most people have about 6 days each cycle they can get pregnant. Sperm can live for about 5 days and an egg can survive for about 12 to 24 hours after ovulation. You can have sex up to 5 days before ovulation or 1 day after and still get pregnant.

Getting pregnant as a single person

Today, more and more people are choosing to have a baby on their own. Whether you’re thinking about it or trying already, Single Mothers By Choice is a useful resource.

One last thing: You can get pregnant again very soon after giving birth, so don’t forget to get back on a method right away. Planning your next one is important too, so use birth control until you’re ready.

XOXO,
Bedsider

P.S. For those of you not ready for a baby, here’s where to get birth control in every state and city.