Starting a family is an exciting journey! You will most likely do a lot of research about conception, think about baby names, and even start planning the nursery before getting pregnant. 

While all of these things are fun to do, don’t forget to focus on the one thing that can make a huge difference in your journey: preparing your body for pregnancy. 

Here are 10 tips to help you make the journey a bit easier. 

1. Focus on mental health.

An often overlooked component of wellness is mental health. 

>>RELATED: Mental Health and Fertility: What's the Link?

Things like stress, anxiety, and loneliness can significantly affect your reproductive health if not kept in check. Research shows that mental disorders can cause hormonal imbalance and a shortened menstrual cycle, ultimately affecting ovulation. 

Be sure to allocate time for rest, hobbies, and fun activities if you experience acute mental distress. However, if you notice it has become a chronic problem, consult with a professional as soon as possible. 

2. Take a high-quality prenatal vitamin.

Eating a balanced diet is the best way to ensure you get enough vitamins and minerals. However, if you are planning on getting pregnant, it’s best to take a prenatal vitamin to ensure you don’t fall short on any of them. 

Two crucial vitamins, and ones women need more of during pregnancy, are folic acid and iron. Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects, and iron supports the development of the placenta and fetus.

You can find prenatal vitamins in most drugstores. Nonetheless, you can consult with your doctor to see which one they recommend.

Curious to know what other supplements can help with pregnancy? Learn what other supplements you should take when trying to conceive.

3. Aim for a healthy weight.

When you're not at a healthy weight for your body, your hormones and reproductive cycle can be affected. While it’s not impossible to get pregnant, it can be more difficult. 

4. Visit your dentist.

Of course, dental hygiene and getting regular dental checkups are essential for everyone. But you might be surprised to discover that poor oral health, specifically gum disease, can lead to premature birth.  

Book an appointment with your dentist to do a thorough check to ensure you don’t have any issues that could cause problems later. 

5. Don’t forget social health.

Humans are social creatures. Although you may enjoy your alone time, it’s vital to maintain your social relationships throughout your preconception journey. It can be incredibly easy to tune out the world and focus on the one thing that matters most right now, but it can have consequences down the road, especially if you experience difficulties. 

>>RELATED: How Support Systems Can Help You Navigate Infertility

Schedule your regular hangouts with your friends, visit your close family members, and plan fun activities with your partner. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts and feelings with the people you trust. 

6. Double check your medication.

Most of us take certain medications without thinking twice because we've used them before, which has helped us immensely. However, when trying to conceive, you have to be more mindful of the medications (and supplements) you use. Certain medications can affect your hormones, reproductive health, and your baby's health once you get pregnant. 

This does not mean stopping using your regular medication, but it does mean you should consult with your doctor and tell them you are trying to conceive.

7. Stay active.

You want to keep overall health at the forefront of your journey. Eating healthy is important, but moving your body and staying fit are crucial. 

You don’t have to join a gym or suddenly increase your workouts to 6 days a week. Instead, focus on incorporating movement in some capacity every day. Maybe that looks like a walk during lunchtime or trying a new yoga class. Whatever makes you feel good to keep your body moving, do more of it. 

The key is not to overdo it. Remember, health does not mean you have to be a certain weight or fit into a specific size. It simply means your body functions well, and you feel good. 

>>MORE: Learn how exercise can boost your fertility.

8. Talk to your doctor if you have a reproductive disorder.

It’s no surprise that most women with reproductive disorders find out they have an issue only after trying to conceive and being unsuccessful. But there are a few things that could be red flags: 

• You have irregular or nonexistent periods. 
• You have chronic pelvic pain. 
• You have a history of STIs. 

The best thing you can do is visit your gynecologist at least once a year for a checkup. Reproductive disorders are typically easier to treat the earlier they are diagnosed, so don’t put off your reproductive health until you are ready to have a baby. 

9. Be open minded.

There is a lot to learn when it comes to preconception and pregnancy. Learn as much as you can through books, podcasts, and educational webinars. There are plenty of free resources to dive into before you embark on your journey.

Not sure where to start? Check out Oova’s YouTube channel for more information. 

10. Find your ovulation window and plan sex.

There are hundreds of tips that claim to help you get pregnant faster, but unfortunately, there is very little science to back them up. The number one thing you can do to increase your chances of getting pregnant faster is discovering your ovulation window.

When you know precisely when you ovulate, you can time sex with your partner to increase your chances of getting pregnant. 

Oova's at-home kit measures your unique hormone levels to provide accurate, clear results so you can track your fertile days.