Getting Pregnant: A Complete TTC Journey Guide

Last Updated on June 1, 2022 by Avi Steen

Trying to conceive can be hard. I know what it means to want to get pregnant as fast as possible. Like sis, you’ve been on this TTC Journey long enough and you need to get pregnant this month because it’s been many months of failed attempts. Here’s the complete TTC Journey guide that will provide you with step by step information on how to track your cycle, have a healthy lifestyle during TTC, and where to seek support. So let’s dive right in sis!

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TTC Journey

Trying to conceive aka TTC is the act and the journey of making a baby. Ooooweee it’s a journey y’all to conceiving a child, a baby, an offspring of your own! 

The reason I call it a journey (if your there sis, you understand) is because for some it’s definitely a marathon rather than a sprint! And it takes a lot of prayer! Have you ever prepared for a marathon? If yes, then you know it takes a lot of work. If not, then I know you can only imagine! 

How can I increase my chances of getting pregnant this month?

Unfortunately, when we were younger the “don’t have sex or you’ll get pregnant” chastisement from your parents wasn’t all entirely true. Women have a very, I’m talking VERY small window for conception to happen. For sperm to meet the egg and join into a beautiful baby.

It’s hard because not all women know that! And today I hope to shed some light on what you should do when you need to get pregnant this month, really like yesterday!

Currently on a TTC Journey? Do this:

Trying to Conceive Checklist

Who doesn’t love a checklist? When you’re unsure where to start on a new journey a checklist can be very helpful.

So I’ve created for you a TTC checklist to start you off on the right track. Click the image below or here to download your free checklist and two week wait devotional!

How do you track your menstrual cycle to get pregnant?

So let’s start with your cycle. Tracking your cycle is so important when you are on your TTC journey. The most important part of tracking your cycle has got to be your fertile window!

Figuring out your fertile window will get you one step closer to that baby you desire to carry. A fertile window is a window of time (the number of days) that you are most fertile during your cycle. 

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This window is directly correlated with ovulation so knowing when you ovulate is definitely a key factor as well in your cycle but we’ll get to that later.  Without the proper tools or maybe even apps (my favorite cycle tracking app is Glow) it can be hard to determine when your fertile window is.

But there is a key fertility sign that will help and assist you to figure out when that window applies for you. That wonderful fertility sign is cervical mucus.   

I know it sounds a little TMI but yes we will be discussing the fluid that comes from your vagina unfortunately during TTC there’s a lot of TMI sis.

Cervical mucus or also known as cervical fluid or sometimes referred to as vaginal discharge can really help you in determining when your fertile window is. 

There are many different variations of cervical fluid:

• Dry (no cervical fluid) or damp
• Sticky, crumbly, rubbery
• Creamy, lotiony, milky
• Eggwhite, slippery, clear, stretchy

For your fertile window we’re going to focus on those last two: creamy and eggwhite. When you get into your fertile window your cervical mucus will become creamier and wetter. When you are approaching ovulation your cervical mucus will become eggwhite, slippery clear, or stretchy and I say “or stretchy” because it can also just not be stretchy at all. 

You also might notice streaked eggwhite cervical mucus which can often be a sign of ovulation spotting.  

So sis, if you don’t learn ANYTHING but THIS: When you see egg white cervical mucus it is GO TIME. Grab hubby and start trying, like right now!

How can I increase my chances of getting pregnant?

Knowing when you ovulate helps to increase your chances of getting pregnant. The end of your fertile window is indicated by ovulation.  Ovulation is defined as the release of a mature egg from the ovarian follicle. 

Some women will feel ovulation pain when an egg is released but most women do not which can also make it difficult in knowing when you have ovulated.

That’s where ovulation predictor kits also known as OPK’s come in. These kits are very beneficial while trying to conceive, especially if you’re just learning about your cycle and your body. 

OPK’s detect the impending release of your egg through a urine test for the presence of a hormone called the luteinizing hormone or better known as LH.  You always have LH in your system but LH will surge (increase) during ovulation. This time frame is 24 to 48 hours. 

Remember when I told you that we as women have that small window… there it is. 

Tracking your cycle, figuring out your fertile window, and when you ovulate each cycle are foundational to trying to conceive. That’s where to begin sis!

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How to Balance Hormones to Get Pregnant

So the next step in trying to get pregnant is starting and/or maintaining a healthy lifestyle! 

So you’re tracking your cycle, maybe you see some irregularities? Some women experience  the following hormonal imbalances:

• Short luteal phase (two week wait time frame between ovulation and your period), 
• Anovulation (not ovulating at all)
• Limited cervical fluid
• Irregular cycles
• Hormonal conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis
• Miscarriages
• Underweight or Overweight
• Recently stopped birth control

Let’s be real. I had 5 out of the 8 listed there and guess what: I’m currently pregnant with my second child as I’m creating this blog post!

So try these healthy lifestyle tips that helped ME to help balance your hormones and increase your chances of pregnancy!

Fertility Rich Foods to Get Pregnant

Ahhhh, the beauty of nutrition. One of my favorite topics to discuss but also my least favorite to adhere to 🙈(Ya girl loves sweets)!

But sweet tooth aside, increasing fertility rich foods will definitely put you on the right track to not only a healthier lifestyle but healthy hormones for trying to conceive as well! 

As a fertility doula, I guide my clients through a nutrition-focused approach to help them get pregnant naturally. You can check out my complete fertility nutrition guide here.

Let’s decrease trans fats (partially hydrogenated oils) and increase healthy fats (avocados, nuts and seeds).

Let’s decrease sugary drinks and increase water (at least half your body weight(lbs) in ounces. So if you weigh 200lbs then you need to be drinking 100 ounces daily. Surprisingly enough of us don’t get enough water. 

No dry eggs if you’re going to be apart of this community sis!

Just to touch on water a little bit longer… The month I conceived my first sticky bean (baby Ava) I drank A GALLON of water almost every day and then BOOM BFP (big fat positive) pregnancy test at 8 DPO (days past ovulation). I was also in the I need to get pregnant this month mindset BECAUSE I had just miscarried (again).

I’m just saying. Hydrate those eggs. *steps off soapbox*

Moving on… for more nutrition tips and a full guide to the fertility diet I used (with recipes) check out the Fertility Nutrition Guide.

Prenatal Vitamins

Most prenatal vitamins include folic acid.

Exercise to Improve Fertility and Get Pregnant

It might not be the quick fix for “I need to get pregnant this month or else” but I can’t begin to tell you how important intentionally moving your body is not only for balancing hormones but also just your overall health sis.

Estrogen is stored in fat. Sooo too much fat = too much estrogen which is a no go in certain phases of your cycle.

So if you happen to be overweight then exercising to decrease body fat is an excellent way to increase fertility.

BUT if you are underweight, you can have hormonal issues as well such as anovulation. In this case, weight gain is a more plausible action.

Figure out where you stand and balance it out. Not skinny, not fat, if we have to put a title on it let’s just say HEALTHY. 🙂 I host virtual faith and fitness accountability groups for women who are TTC, you can check that out here.

Seek Support for TTC and after loss

We’ve come to a very difficult topic of discussion for TTC… When to seek support and whom from (who from?) you get what I’m saying!

Especially after you have experienced a miscarriage or any type of fetal loss…

When: ASAP or as soon as you feel comfortable, but trust me you’re going to need SOMEONE to confide in. Don’t bottle it up sis. Also, if you think you’ve exhausted all options, it might be time to seek fertility support through a specialist.

Whom: For this section I’ve created The 3 S’s that helped me with support.

1. Spiritual: You may or may not be spiritual or religious, but I am Christian and looked to God for support during my journey. I prayed fertility prayers and blessed my womb daily while trying to conceive
2. Spousal: Good ol’ hubby. Yea he might not want to hear about your cervical fluid but your spouse is always a good strong shoulder to hang on to. Ask him how he feels about the journey, you never know he might need a shoulder in return.
3. Sisters: There are so many women going through the EXACT situation you are experiencing. Reach out to different forums, on YouTube, or through TTC groups like this one to find sisters to connect with.

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Now what do I do?

Stop reading this and go baby dance already! (even if your not in your fertile window ;)) 

Comment below something new you learned and will apply to your TTC journey this cycle!