Trying to conceive can leave you with a lot of unanswered questions. Turns out, baby-making is not as straightforward as have sex and get pregnant. We spoke with two top fertility specialists, and the co-founders of holisticHer to answer all of your burning questions. So here is how to get pregnant, from the experts. 

How often should I have sex?

Contrary to what you might have heard, it really doesn’t have to be ten times a day (unless you want it to be!). Sperm is designed to hang around for a few days, so the frequency of sex doesn’t actually increase your chances of getting pregnant.

More isn’t necessarily better, especially if you don’t feel like it. Really, you just need to have sex two times in the five days before ovulation. If you have a 28-day cycle, you probably ovulate around day 14. So make sure you get busy between the sheets a few times between day 10 and 14.

Can exercise affect my fertility?

Put simply: yes, in both good and bad ways. Any excessive exercise that would cause you to stop or intervene having a menstrual cycle can be detrimental, as this affects your ovulation. But exercise can also be really helpful for some women in regulating their cycle. Everyone is different, so you need to find out what works for you, and be mindful about how you feel. You may not want to push yourself to a marathon training if you're already feeling low on energy on days you may ovulate. 

How important are prenatal vitamins?

Very important. Who knew?!

Folic acid is recommended for women trying to conceive. The first few weeks of pregnancy are really important, and this helps with baby’s development. And once you do become pregnant, there are a few others to think about, like iron, vitamin D, calcium and more.

How soon can I start trying again after a miscarriage?

If you’re wondering how to conceive after a miscarriage - or when - remember that there really is no one-size-fits-all solution. After experiencing loss, however you choose to grieve is valid.

Although it’s safe to have sex soon after a loss we often recommend women to consider waiting for at least two cycles. Allow your body some time to recover, and after that, you can go ahead and start trying to conceive again.

If I had trouble conceiving my first child, will I have trouble conceiving my second? 

Remember, for baby number two you’re always older, and age is a very powerful fertility factor. If you had trouble with your first baby, get yourself checked out with a fertility specialist. That way, if it doesn’t happen straight away you’re clued up and ready to start treatment if you need it!

Good luck mama!