The journey to parenthood is often painted with images of immediate joy and effortless conception. Yet, for many, including myself, it transforms into an emotional odyssey filled with hope, frustration, and moments of profound self-discovery. When the desire to expand your family takes hold, the focus on “getting pregnant quickly” can become consuming. The agonizing wait, month after month, when it doesn’t happen as fast as you’d hoped, can lead to immense stress, anxiety, and even deep sadness. Please believe me, I understand this struggle intimately – you are absolutely not alone in feeling this way. That’s why I’m opening up about my personal experiences with conception, sharing the insights and strategies that, after much trial and error across three pregnancies, finally led to me getting pregnant within just two months for my third child. My hope is that by sharing my story, you might find some guidance and solace on your own unique path.
Important Disclosures & Personal Perspective
Please Note: The information presented within this article is solely an account of my personal journey and experiences. Every individual’s body and fertility situation are unique. Therefore, what proved effective for me and my specific circumstances may not be suitable or effective for someone else. I want to emphasize that I am not a medical professional, nor do I hold any medical qualifications. Consequently, nothing shared in this post should be interpreted as medical advice or a substitute for the professional opinions and guidance of your personal healthcare provider. It is crucial to consult with your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, or supplement regimen, especially when trying to conceive.
Additionally, some links included in this article are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to click through to a product and subsequently make a purchase, 40 Aprons may receive a small commission. Rest assured, this comes at no extra cost to you. Any product or company mentioned here is referred to purely based on my genuine personal experience and satisfaction, rather than any potential for commission.
My Unexpectedly Challenging Path to Conception: Lessons Learned
The year was 2015, and my husband and I felt ready to embark on the exciting journey of starting our family. We decided it was time to try for our first baby, and in my mind, this should have been a relatively straightforward process. After all, I was young, generally healthy, maintained a nutritious diet, enjoyed running regularly, and boasted a fairly consistent menstrual cycle. I truly believed conception would happen swiftly, perhaps even on the first try. My body, however, had other plans – and in hindsight, I can almost hear it laughing at my naive assumptions.
At the time, I didn’t have any obvious health issues that would suggest difficulty conceiving. On paper, I was healthy. Yet, despite my perceived wellness, getting pregnant was anything but quick. It became clear that there was a significant amount I didn’t understand about my own body, particularly concerning the intricate details of my reproductive cycle. A prime example was ovulation. With a standard 29-day cycle, I naturally assumed I was ovulating around day 14, which is often cited as the typical midpoint. It seemed logical, and I had no reason to believe otherwise.
However, after a few months of diligent tracking, I discovered a crucial piece of information: I was actually ovulating a few days later than I had presumed. This seemingly small detail threw off our timing significantly. It took three months of consistent monitoring to uncover this vital piece of the puzzle. Beyond mistimed ovulation, I also discovered my basal body temperature (BBT) was consistently a little low, and thanks to my late ovulation, I suffered from a super short luteal phase. For those unfamiliar, the luteal phase is the critical period between ovulation and the start of your menstrual period – the window during which a fertilized egg needs to implant successfully in the uterine lining. A short luteal phase can unfortunately prevent proper implantation, making conception much harder. Suddenly, my focus shifted to understanding and correcting these newly identified issues.
Embracing a Targeted Supplement Regimen for Optimal Egg Health
With these new discoveries, and always under the guidance and approval of my doctor, I began to implement specific changes. I started with bio-identical progesterone cream, hoping it would help lengthen my luteal phase. While its impact wasn’t dramatically clear, my doctor confirmed it wouldn’t do any harm, which was enough for me to continue using it after ordering a tube from Amazon.
Simultaneously, I embarked on a comprehensive supplement protocol aimed at enhancing egg health. This included royal jelly, CoQ10, DHEA, zinc, selenium, and fish oil. Essentially, if scientific studies indicated a supplement could contribute positively to egg quality or overall reproductive function, I incorporated it. It’s also worth noting that I began taking high-quality prenatal vitamins several months before actively trying to conceive, ensuring my body was well-nourished and prepared for the demands of pregnancy. This proactive approach ensures that essential nutrients, like folic acid, are at optimal levels from the very start, crucial for early fetal development.
While I can’t definitively quantify the exact impact of each supplement on my ability to conceive, I was incredibly fortunate to experience relatively easy pregnancies with all three of my children once conception occurred. I genuinely believe that this dedicated focus on supporting my egg health and providing my body with ample nutrients contributed significantly to those positive outcomes. However, the reproductive process is complex, involving numerous interconnected factors, and as a non-medical professional, I can only share my personal observations. This account merely details the steps I took and the experiences I had as a woman navigating her child-bearing years without any clear, diagnosed fertility issues.
Re-evaluating My Diet: Fueling Fertility from Within
In addition to the targeted vitamin and mineral supplementation, a significant part of my fertility journey involved a complete overhaul of my diet, again with the primary goal of optimizing egg health and overall reproductive function. At that time, I was following a vegan, lower-calorie diet that was inherently low in fat. This dietary approach, I soon learned from my doctor and extensive personal research, was actually counterproductive when trying to conceive. It turned out to be one of the least helpful things I could do for my fertility.
Numerous scientific articles and medical professionals highlight the link between low-fat diets and anovulatory infertility, meaning a lack of ovulation. The reasoning is quite fundamental: fats are essential building blocks for hormone production, and a robust hormonal balance is absolutely critical for successful conception and pregnancy. Without adequate healthy fats, the body may struggle to produce the necessary hormones to regulate the menstrual cycle and support ovulation.
Upon this realization, I immediately began increasing my intake of healthy fats. Avocados became a staple, as did coconut oil. Honestly, I initially felt a bit sluggish and uncomfortable after intentionally consuming more fat in a single sitting, which truly underscored just how little fat I had been incorporating into my diet previously. I was also quite thin at the time, which can sometimes signal to the body that it’s not an ideal time for pregnancy. I had to consciously and intentionally put on enough healthy weight to signal to my metabolism that my body was well-resourced and in a safe, nourished state for conception. Food serves as vital fuel, and consistent consumption of enough healthy, whole foods can send powerful signals to your body that it is indeed a safe and optimal time to get pregnant. An unexpected bonus of this dietary shift? I ended up not gaining excessive weight during my actual pregnancies, as if my body had already built up a decent fat reserve. If we were chatting via text, I’d probably be sending you a grimacing emoji right now, recognizing the irony!
The Emotional Rollercoaster: Getting Pregnant with Baby #1
My first pregnancy journey was a steep learning curve. All the detailed discoveries about my late ovulation, low BBT, short luteal phase, and the need for dietary and supplemental changes came to light during this period. For six consecutive months, I was consumed by an almost obsessive level of tracking and planning. Every supplement was taken precisely, every meal meticulously planned, and ovulation timing rigidly monitored. Each month brought a surge of excitement and fervent hope, convinced that “this would finally be the month!” And each month, when my period arrived, that hope was utterly crushed.
The relentless stress stemming from “trying” to get pregnant spiraled into a palpable depression. The question “What’s wrong with my body?” became a constant, unwelcome companion. Doubts crept in: Could I get pregnant at all? Was I infertile? Or was it just that I couldn’t get pregnant quickly? Every arrival of Cycle Day 1 was a devastating blow. My heart goes out to anyone experiencing these feelings, especially those who have been trying for even longer, perhaps for years. The resilience and strength required to endure such heartbreak are truly immense.
However, around the seventh month of this intense process, something shifted within me. I finally reached a point of acceptance, resolving myself to the possibility that it might just take a long time – perhaps even years, as I knew was the case for many couples. I realized I couldn’t sustain that level of anxiety and obsession for an indefinite period. Once I genuinely accepted that conception could be a marathon, not a sprint, a quiet sense of relaxation began to settle over me. And wouldn’t you know it? The very next month, after I consciously “chilled the efffff out,” as I’d put it, I got pregnant with my sweet baby boy!
(Please, believe me when I say, I wholeheartedly understand how incredibly annoying and utterly unhelpful the advice to “just don’t stress about it” can be. Every single time someone suggested I “relax and let it happen,” I wanted to clench my fists and, frankly, punch them squarely in the face. It’s not as simple as flipping an emotional switch to “off” and carrying on with your day. Moreover, for many, the underlying situation is far more complex than just stress. Bodies – and babies – can be frustratingly uncooperative. Yet, for my specific journey, releasing that intense pressure truly did seem to make a difference. Annoying, but true.)
The Second Time Around: Getting Pregnant with Baby #2
You’d think that after successfully navigating the first pregnancy, the body would have “figured out the process,” making subsequent conceptions significantly easier. My thinking was, “Now it’s less about ‘how to get pregnant’ and more about ‘how to get pregnant quickly’!” Unfortunately, this was not my reality, at least not initially.
I genuinely believed that conceiving my second child would be much swifter. After all, I now possessed invaluable knowledge about my body’s unique ovulation schedule, the optimal fertility-friendly diet, and the specific supplements that seemed to support my reproductive health. Yet, despite this accumulated wisdom, it proved just as challenging. For another six months, I found myself re-entering a cycle of stress and obsession. Each month, I’d confidently declare, “Oh, as a second-time mother, an expert, I know this feeling. This is definitely the feeling of early pregnancy. I just KNOW it!”
I meticulously analyzed every minor twinge, every fleeting symptom. And much like with my first son, the overwhelming stress once again began to manifest as a creeping depression. By this point, meditation had become a regular part of my routine, but even that was heavily skewed towards fertility-focused practices. This meant that the goal of “getting pregnant” was perpetually at the forefront of my mind, consuming my thoughts day in and day out.
Once more, as month seven approached, I made a conscious decision to relinquish my obsession with getting pregnant quickly. I resigned myself to the idea that if it was meant to happen, it would simply take its own sweet time. This seemed rational; I was older than during my first attempt, and age can undeniably influence the ease of conception. The very same month I made the deliberate choice to stop obsessing and accept a longer timeline, I conceived! My baby girl was on her way, a testament, once again, to the surprising power of mental surrender.
Third Time’s the Charm: Getting Pregnant Quickly with Baby #3
Armed with a wealth of accumulated knowledge, detailed notes, and the invaluable experience of two previous conception journeys, my husband and I decided to try for baby number three. By this point, I was roughly five years older than when we first started trying for our oldest son. Given that both my previous pregnancies had taken seven months each to conceive, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind that this time around, getting pregnant quickly was highly improbable. I mentally prepared myself for another extended period of trying.
I diligently re-established my complete fertility regimen: daily doses of royal jelly, prenatal vitamins, CoQ10, DHEA, and this time, I added myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol, which are often recommended for hormonal balance and egg quality. I reverted to my fertility-friendly diet, prioritizing nutrient-dense foods and healthy fats. I continued my meditation practices, though initially, the first month of trying was still consumed by a significant (and I mean *very, very* significant) amount of stress. The thought of “getting pregnant” was a constant loop in my mind, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I even convinced myself at one point that I was experiencing implantation, a sensation I vividly remembered from my daughter’s conception. Spoiler alert: I was not.
As I transitioned into the second month, I found myself profoundly weary of the relentless stress. So, I made a conscious decision to simply… stop. Of course, it wasn’t as easy as flipping a switch, but my thought process was clear: if it took so long the last two times, it was undoubtedly going to take *at least* that long again, so there was no logical point in stressing about it right now. I continued with my supplements, maintained my healthy-fat-rich diet, and monitored my stats, but the intense obsession with “getting pregnant quickly” was gone. In fact, we were trying even less frequently in the hopes of “swaying” for a girl, which made me even more certain it would take longer than before. And for the first time, I was genuinely okay with that longer timeline. Truthfully, being my last pregnancy, I even found myself feeling a little attached to the ritual of trying to conceive! I was actually quite enjoying the renewed focus on my body and the heightened sense of connection I felt to it during the entire process.
A few days after ovulation that month, we took a relaxing trip to the beach for a super chill weekend. Upon our return, I, almost routinely, peed on a stick… Two lines?! I was genuinely in disbelief. I hadn’t stressed about getting pregnant *once* during that critical month, so how had my body even known what to do? Yet, sure enough, after just two months of trying, it happened! I am currently seven months pregnant with my youngest son, a testament to the unexpected power of releasing control and embracing the journey.
Unlocking Quick Conception: A Holistic Approach That Worked for Me
So, what was the secret? What magical combination of factors finally unlocked pregnancy for me with such unexpected speed, almost like a video game cheat code? The honest truth is, I can’t be 100% certain there was one single “magic combination” or secret formula. The process of human conception is incredibly intricate, influenced by myriad biological, environmental, and even psychological factors. It would be disingenuous for me to point to one specific element and declare, “This is it! Do exactly this, and it will work for you too!”
However, what I *do* firmly believe is that a synergistic combination of all the elements I had painstakingly learned and implemented over the years contributed significantly. This holistic approach not only facilitated my quick conception this time around but also, I feel, played a pivotal role in the relatively easy and healthy pregnancies I’ve been incredibly fortunate to experience. It wasn’t one thing, but a concerted effort on multiple fronts that seemed to align my body and mind for optimal fertility.
Mastering Ovulation Tracking: Pinpointing the Fertile Window
After the experiences of my first two pregnancies, I had truly “hacked” my ovulation cycle. I had refined my understanding to a precise science, confidently knowing the exact moment I was ovulating. This level of precision was a stark contrast to my initial assumptions and proved to be an invaluable tool in expediting conception.
I confess, I’m genuinely passionate about data, tracking, and meticulously logging information, especially when it pertains to my health. And when it comes to tools that facilitate this, I’m always open to embracing them. For my third pregnancy, I utilized an Ava bracelet, and I absolutely loved it. This wearable device simplified the complex process of pinpointing my ovulation window. You simply wear the bracelet to bed, where it quietly collects vital physiological data. In the morning, it seamlessly syncs with your phone, presenting all your personalized data and clearly indicating your fertile window. You can delve deeper into the science behind its functionality here. If you’re interested in exploring the Ava bracelet for your own fertility journey, you can use the code CHERYL at checkout for a small discount.
Supplementing the insights from my Ava bracelet, I also continued to use traditional ovulation predictor strips to confirm my LH surge. Furthermore, I meticulously tracked my basal body temperature (BBT) using a smart thermometer sourced from Amazon. This device ingeniously uses Bluetooth to sync directly with the Femometer app on my phone. I found this combination incredibly empowering. It tracked every minute detail, helping me monitor subtle trends in my body’s signals, allowing my husband and me to time intercourse with unparalleled precision. Understanding and utilizing these tools to identify my fertile window was, in my opinion, one of the most significant factors in our quick success this time around.
Thoughtful Activity: Balancing Movement and Reproductive Health
As a passionate runner, the sport has always been a significant part of my life. Not long before trying to conceive our youngest, I had even been training for half-marathons. However, in the past, I’d periodically encountered issues where intense running seemed to throw off my menstrual cycle. I suspect this was often due to overtraining and perhaps insufficient caloric intake, leading to hormonal imbalances. There were times during my most rigorous training periods when my cycle would be delayed by an entire week, disrupting everything.
For this reason, during the two months it took us to conceive my third baby, I made a deliberate choice to temporarily stop running. In fact, I paused all forms of high-impact exercises. It’s crucial to clarify, however, that I did not cease exercising altogether. Instead, my focus shifted entirely to lower-impact activities that were still beneficial for my body without adding undue stress. I embraced yoga, T-Tapp workouts, and other gentle forms of exercise that kept my body moving, maintained circulation, and promoted flexibility without the jarring impact or intense energy expenditure of running. I consciously ensured my activity levels remained consistent and beneficial, but without pushing myself to extremes.
I happily resumed running a few weeks after we conceived, and I continue to run to this day, even through pregnancy! Of course, running at 28 weeks pregnant necessitates extra-supportive leggings and often doubling up on belly bands, but it’s a small adjustment for an activity I love and that helps my overall well-being.
Important Note: My running and workout routines during pregnancy have been thoroughly discussed with and approved by my medical professional. Before engaging in any strenuous activity or making significant changes to your exercise regimen, especially when trying to conceive or during pregnancy, please ensure you discuss your specific situation with your doctor.
Prioritizing Egg Health: A Proactive Pre-Conception Strategy
Understanding that egg development takes approximately 90 days, I adopted a highly proactive approach to my egg health. My dedicated egg-health regimen began several months – specifically, about three months – before my husband and I actively started trying to conceive. During this crucial preparatory period, I consistently incorporated my daily prenatal vitamins, along with a carefully selected array of supplements: royal jelly, CoQ10, DHEA, myo-inositol, and D-chiro-inositol. This foresight ensured that by the time we began our active efforts to conceive, my body was already hard at work developing healthier, higher-quality eggs and was well-prepared internally to potentially nurture a new life. This long-term commitment to nurturing egg health truly felt like laying a solid foundation for a successful and healthy pregnancy.
Nourishing My Body: The Fertility-Friendly Diet
Just like my egg-health supplement routine, my commitment to a fertility-friendly diet also commenced well in advance of our active attempts to conceive. This wasn’t a short-term fix but a sustained lifestyle change designed to optimize my body’s reproductive environment.
My primary focus was to significantly increase my intake of healthy fats, crucial for hormone production and overall cellular health. Beyond specific fat sources, I generally became much more intentional about consistently eating enough food on a regular basis. I shifted my focus towards nourishing, healthy, and whole foods, recognizing that my body needed ample fuel and nutrient density to signal it was a safe and thriving environment for conception. This meant incorporating plenty of recipes like my Whole30 Chipotle Beef & Avocado Bowls, my incredibly satisfying Egg Roll in a Bowl with Creamy Chili Sauce, and especially my comforting and nutrient-rich Best Ever Tom Kha Gai Soup. These meals are not only delicious but packed with ingredients that support a healthy, balanced body, which I believe contributed significantly to our swift conception.
Cultivating Mental Well-being: The Unexpected Catalyst
Here, I’m going to utter the simplest, yet potentially most frustrating and annoying phrase anyone can hear on this challenging journey: “Don’t worry about it so much.” NO, WAIT, I KNOW! I genuinely understand the reflexive urge to roll your eyes or even lash out upon hearing that. However, for me, this mental shift truly was a profound catalyst. It’s important to clarify that this didn’t mean I stopped doing the essential groundwork – I continued eating right, taking my supplements, and tracking my cycle. What I *did* stop, however, was the relentless obsession over whether or not I was getting pregnant, especially after that initial, stressful first month of trying for my third child.
Actively engaging in distracting hobbies helped immensely. Immersing myself in activities like gardening or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen diverted my mental energy away from constant agonizing over every tiny symptom or perceived sign. This allowed my mind to find a much-needed reprieve from the relentless fertility focus. I also explored more unconventional approaches to mental and physical well-being. For instance, I delved into traditional Chinese medicinal beliefs surrounding fertility, such as “don’t let your feet get cold” and “don’t eat cold food.” The idea is to keep the “womb warm” to encourage fertility, which initially sounded quite novel – certainly not something your OB-GYN typically advises, right?
But my rationale was simple: it couldn’t hurt to try, and I felt a sense of reverence for this ancient wisdom. Ultimately, what I’m trying to convey is the undeniable link between the state of your mind and the state of your body. Chronic stress can impact your hormonal balance, which in turn affects your reproductive system. If your mind is constantly consumed by the pressure of “how to get pregnant quickly,” your body might respond by taking its own sweet time. This isn’t to blame anyone for stress, but rather to highlight the profound impact of mental well-being on physical processes.
The core message is to be compassionate with yourself. Prioritize activities that genuinely bring you joy and help you relax. Engage in self-care practices that make both you and your body feel good in the interim. This mindful approach, a deliberate release of control and anxiety, was, in my personal experience, the unexpected ingredient that finally paved the way for quick conception.
Reminder: As reiterated throughout this post, the information presented is purely an account of my personal journey and experiences. Every individual’s path to conception is unique, and what proved effective for me and my specific circumstances may not be suitable or effective for someone else. I am not a medical professional, and nothing shared here is intended to replace the expert opinions and advice of your specific medical professional. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen.