Are you planning to take pregnant? All excited to have a baby of your own? While it may seem really simple, getting pregnant isn't as easy as it seems to be. For becoming pregnant, one must be prepared emotionally, financially and physically. Once you officially start to try getting pregnant, it is essential to plan well beforehand.

However, while pregnancy is absolutely natural and takes time, there are still a few things you can do to make sure that your pregnancy is planned well. Here are a few tips that you might want to keep in mind if you are planning to conceive.

  1. Medical checkups: Experts believe that a complete medical checkup may help you prepare you before getting pregnant and in your initial pregnancy days. Your doctors may provide you with prenatal vitamins that may contain folic acid. Folic acid in the initial months after conceiving helps fight against congenital disabilities. If you have any medical condition or issues, you must bring them under control before getting pregnant.

  2. Menstrual cycle:  Do you know the right time you must try to have sex to become pregnant? It is your menstrual cycle that you must keep track of that will help you get pregnant. It will help you know the days you're most fertile- ovulationUnderstandingng your menstrual cycle can help you notice the signs of ovulation. Like for example, it is said that when your cervical mucus becomes thin and slippery, you are the most fertile.

  3. Sex positions: While no scientific evidence confirms the effects of sex positions on pregnancy, still it is claimed that there are a few sex positions that increase your chances of getting pregnant. However, you must not stress yourself out on the fact that having sex in a particular position can help you get pregnant sooner.

  4. Keep stress at bay: While many people will tell you that your biological clock is ticking, you must not be stressed if things are getting difficult because it will only make matters worse. Stress increases the cortisol levels in your body and also affects your sex drive. This, in turn, affects your efforts of getting pregnant.

  5. Stay away from myths:  Unfortunately, there are so many myths surrounding pregnancy that affect adversely. Many people believe that having sex in a particular pose or raising your legs for a few minutes after sex can help you get pregnant faster. In India, it only gets worse with so many superstitions doing the rounds.

  6. Improve your lifestyle: An overall healthy lifestyle doesn't only help you shed those extra kilos but also improves your sexual lifestyle. Sometimes your weight may create complications in your pregnancy but having a healthy non-sedentary lifestyle can help you lose weight and stay happy. Include a good exercise regimen and a healthy diet in your lifestyle. However, there are a few studies that say that going overboard on exercise may decrease your ovulation period.

  7. Stop smoking and drinking: Smoking and drinking are known to deteriorate your overall health, and along with that it can also affect your fertility adversely. It not only affects your estrogen levels but also hampers your ovulation.

It is always considered safe to have a medical advisor not only after you know you have gotten pregnant but even before that. Proper guidance can help you nip the forthcoming problems in the bud.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 22, 2018 05:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).