Some women may have a bit more difficulty than others conceiving, and even those without fertility issues only have a 25% chance of conception with each monthly cycle.

Here are the best ways to increase your chances of becoming pregnant, although if you’ve been trying for more than 12 consecutive months, be sure to start with step number one.

1. See a Doctor
In addition to your family doctor, a reproductive endocrinologist may be able to pinpoint any hormonal problems or imbalances that may be preventing pregnancy.
If you were previously taking oral contraceptives, most doctors recommend waiting at least three menstrual cycles before trying to get pregnant.

2. Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
Besides all of the other numerous health risks associated with alcohol and smoking cigarettes, they may also hinder your chances of becoming pregnant, or if you’re a man, negatively affect your sperm count.
 Smoking marijuana may also lower sperm count and reduce fertility rates in both sexes.

3. Exercise
In addition to the overall health benefits of getting regular exercise, it’s also a great stress reliever. Stress has been associated with infertility, and anyone who has looked for helpful ways of how to get pregnant certainly knows the ill effects stress and tension can have on the body.
Exercise also helps the body become stronger to support a pregnancy, and keeps excess weight off, another hindrance when trying to conceive.

4. Eat a Well-balanced, Vitamin-rich Diet
Besides eating a balanced diet, vitamins are crucial for couples who are trying to conceive, and surprisingly enough, vitamin therapy is one form of treatment for infertility. Folic acid is of particular importance for women who are trying to get pregnant, with 400 micrograms being the recommended daily amount.
This form of vitamin B is known to prevent certain types of birth defects referred to as NTD’s, or neural tube defects. After pregnancy occurs, the amount is raised to at least 600 micrograms a day to reduce the risk of birth defects by as much as 70%.

5. Track Ovulation
There are several different ways for women to determine when they ovulate. Use either a home ovulation predictor kit, watch for noticeable chances in cervical mucous, or use a basal body thermometer.
Using the thermometer method, take your basal temperature each morning before rising from bed around the same time each day, and noting a slight spike in temperature. For the majority of women, ovulation generally occurs on or right around the 14th day of their menstrual cycle.

We know that sperm are able to survive within a woman’s reproductive tract for approximately 48 to 36 hours, so having unprotected sex the day of ovulation as well as the days before and after increase the odds of becoming pregnant. If all else fails, there are always other options to try such as fertility drugs, in vitro fertilization, and artificial insemination, among others.