What We Did to Get Pregnant on the First Try
Yes, I got pregnant on the first try. Thrice.
In this post, I’m going to share what I did to conceive my daughter (+ then my 2 sons) on the first try. These results are my own, + I’m sharing this to encourage hopeful parents that organic, non-invasive fertility methods can work.
Knowing that fertility challenges are common in our generation, I wanted to do as much as possible upfront to boost my fertility. This post is purely informational + written with so much heart + intention (with those navigating infertility right now in mind. I see you.).
Before I jump in, partners TAKE NOTE: many of the efforts I made to improve my fertility can serve partners well, too! Join in + let this be part of the fun of building a family together.
Babymaking, here we come!
No. 1 — Learn Baseline Fertility Metrics
After a general wellness check with my OB/GYN, I started keeping a record of my menstrual cycle, sexual activity, diet, exercise, + mindset.
In the event of fertility challenges, I knew that most physicians would ask for a record of those wellness metrics to begin their testing from. I thought keeping track right from the start of “trying” would help me keep time on my side as much as possible.
No. 2 — Stop Taking Hormonal Birth Control ASAP
I truly believe this is a big one. I gave my body ample time to reset itself after chemically controlling my fertility.
I stopped taking hormonal birth control pills more than a year before trying to conceive, then used my baseline fertility to avoid sex during my peak window.
Following the natural family planning (NFP) method can be 99% effective (same as a condom).
I feel like this is where a health teacher in high school would say something like, “but 100% guarantee is abstinence!”
I was okay with the idea that if I happened to get pregnant during the time of practicing NFP (and not necessarily “trying”), I’d be more than okay — in fact, great — with that.
No. 3 — Start Taking an Organic Prenatal Multivitamin
Immediately after quitting birth control pills, I started taking organic prenatal multivitamins.
I researched the best possible prenatal multivitamin options I could find + only one met all of my criteria at the time: MyKind Organics Women’s Prenatal Multivitamin.
I’ll link all of the vitamins + supplements we’ve enjoyed or are currently trying out in the notes here: [Related: Our Daily Vitamins + Supplements].
No. 4 — Cut Out Caffeine Almost Entirely
There’s no big research on caffeine + fertility, but I felt like anything that altered my body’s natural state the way caffeine did was likely too overpowering for conception.
Additionally, the more coffee someone drinks, the more likely they are to be dehydrated, which can have a negative affect on fertility, too.
I quit my daily coffee cold turkey one day, but I don’t recommend being so mean to yourself if you decide to quit or reduce caffeine, too!
Reduce the daily amount of coffee over a few days, so that you can reduce the quantity without any symptomatic withdrawal headaches.
I found that replacing the “coffee amount” with a warm “lemon + Pink Himalayan sea salt electrolyte water” helped me to replace the feeling of sipping on something, holding a warm mug, etc.
Sidenote: If you’re curious about caffeine once pregnant…
Update Note: For Baby #2 (my first son), I did consume a small cup of iced coffee daily after halfway through the second trimester + found no adverse effects. However, I noticed that when I would nurse Baby #1 (my daughter) after having coffee postpartum (without ever having consumed caffeine during that first pregnancy), she would get much more energized than usual! The buzz seemed to transfer. Interesting, huh?
For Baby #3 (my second son), I had a single homemade k-cup coffee every morning consistently through pregnancy + like my first son, he also shows no sleep or energy differences. So, from my observations, I don’t think caffeine in small doses impacts baby sleep in the long run as much as it might impact fertility in the beginning.
No. 5 — Invest in an Exciting New Water Bottle
Something as simple as finding a water bottle you love can boost your hydration exponentially because you’ll actually be drinking more water from your beloved bottle. (Stanley girls, you’re welcome).
No. 6 — Acquire a Taste for Green Smoothies
This Dan’s Famous Apple Pie Smoothie recipe from Simple Green Smoothies was my gateway smoothie. The recipe tastes like dessert + packs in a nutritional punch for minimal effort.
Follow the recipe exactly + you’ll be on your way, too. (Assuming you like apple pie?)
Dan’s Famous Apple Pie Smoothie 🍏
- 2 cups leafy green fresh spinach
- 1 1⁄2 cups almond milk, unsweetened
- 3 apples, core removed
- 4 medjool dates, pitted
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- ice, if desired
Instructions: Blend spinach, milk + apples together first, then add in the solids + spices + blend again. Enjoy!
No. 7 — Commit to Organic Living
If I was going to bring a real baby into the real world, then I needed to get real with myself + be living authentically.
I committed to doing work I love, surrounding myself with positive people (or choosing to skip being around negative ones), following my gut + not overthinking what my body was telling me it needed.
I took a hard look at my finances, relationships, home supplies, beauty products + my expectations for having a baby. For what felt out of alignment, I made a plan.
This is where our decision to explore home birth came to be. We were honest that the hospital environment didn’t feel great, that birth didn’t feel like a medical event as much as it did a natural event, and we allowed ourselves the permission to look into the alternative choice. It was the single best decision we have ever made for our family.
Naturally, you can’t take action on every single part of life in one day, but you can definitely take a moment to affirm the decision to stay true to what feels right to you on Day One.
When you do this, you remove a lot of anxiety you’re carrying around mentally — + often unknowingly. Stress significantly reduces fertility. If you’re carrying around dormant worries about making others happy or choosing the popular choice, etc. then you’re often trading that for your internal peace. And a baby needs as much internal peace as possible to thrive.
Look in the mirror + promise yourself that you’re going to do this next massive chapter of life with the most honesty + integrity possible. Organically. Then look at your partner + promise each other the same. It’s not woo-woo; it WORKS. You’re statistically more likely to stick to your goals when you’ve affirmed them out loud + held yourself to public accountability.
For executing the rest of the plan, identify a block of time every week that you can hold an appointment with yourself for the business of life. Here’s where you’ll make decisions that move your family unit forward — even long after baby’s arrival.
No. 8 — Book a Vacation
I asked my OB/GYN how to get pregnant + she said, “go on vacation + get drunk!”
She was joking with the bluntness, of course, but her point was to not overthink the babymaking. Relax, let some genuine passion stir up + don’t make the attempt mechanical if it doesn’t have to be.
So, I went on a 3-week European vacation with the mindset that this could be my last big adventure trip for a few years. I traveled to Italy, France, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece + Germany, then ended the trip with a spontaneous week camping the Ring Road around Iceland.
Circling back to update this post 8 years later, I can now say that this investment is still giving me + our marriage the best possible return.
No. 9 — Have a Lot of Great Sex
Just to make sure I’m being very clear here: if you do all of the above-mentioned activities but not this one, you’re going to be out of luck.
We had sex almost every day — often multiple times per day — because we genuinely wanted to. We were 100% unplugged from work, our in-laws, our 3 dogs, our fixer-upper house, our chores + all of the other adulting responsibilities that tugged at our attention. We eliminated the distractions as much as possible so that we could focus.
Now, with lots of great sex, I also did this:
Some professionals say this has no bearing on fertility whatsoever, but I figured trying couldn’t hurt + I’ve yet to be proven otherwise! My Italian grandmother (Nonna) + mother both swear by this method. Who knows!
Just for good measure, I tilted my pelvis up afterward by propping up a pillow under my tailbone + putting my feet in the air for a few minutes to make sure all of the semen had gravity’s help.
No. 10 — Test Conservatively
I brought pregnancy tests with me on the trip + actually peed on the stick at the Godafoss waterfall in Iceland, where I learned I was, in fact, pregnant! Another great benefit to being on an extended babymaking vacation — a great “reveal” spot!
Despite my anxious + excited anticipation, I made myself wait until the number of days post-peak window that the test inserts indicated so that I wasn’t getting my emotions all over the place reading false results from too-soon-testing.
Yes, the waiting is so challenging, but that result was incredible + SO worth waiting for!
What About You?
Now I’d love to know: what activities have you tried to help with your conception? What’s worked for you?
I’d love to hear the natural steps you’ve taken — or are thinking of taking — in your comments down below or in my Instagram direct messages @organicfamilyceo. If you send me a direct message with what other resources you’re loving or looking for, I’m happy to share more of what I’ve found helpful for my re-productivity as a parent entrepreneur. 💌 See you there!
Disclaimer: I do not guarantee your specific results. I’m not a doctor + I don’t play one on the internet. I love sharing what has worked well for me as purely an informational post for your consideration as you start + grow your organic families.
