Topics  >  Trying to conceive (TTC)  >  Preconception health

Preconception health

Before getting pregnant, it helps to get your body prepared. Carrying a baby for nine months can demand a lot from the body. Discover more about preconception health with Ovia. This encompasses trying to conceive, sex for pregnancy, and how your body may react when trying to conceive. We also have nutrition and exercise tips for you to consider as well.

couple sits at table looking at papers on the table together.

Reproductive health | Reproductive healthcare

Should I freeze my eggs?

Couple sits at a table having a conversation with a medical provider.

Reproductive health | Reproductive healthcare

Egg freezing step by step

Two women face each other in conversation

Reproductive health | Reproductive healthcare

Egg freezing FAQ

Woman sits on a couch with her legs crossed

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Pregnancy tests

Positive pregnancy test after an embryo transfer

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Sex for pregnancy

Dear Ovia, Dreams of a big family

Two people sit at the computer together

What you can and cannot control when TTC

Women using her laptop while sitting on a couch researching sexually transmitted infections.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

The complete glossary on sexually transmitted infections

A women in gynecologist office talking to doctor about genital infections.

Health and wellness

Everything you need to know about yeast infections, UTIs, and bacterial vaginosis

A women at computer reading about what she should've learned in sex ed class.

Health and wellness

Five things you should have learned in Sex Ed

Graphic with the words "your questions answered" to represent questions about receiving ART or other elective care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reproductive health | Reproductive healthcare

COVID-19, assisted reproductive technology, and elective care: Your questions answered

A pregnant person touching their stomach to represent pregnancy during COVID-19.

Health and wellness

COVID-19 and pregnancy: Your questions answered

Graphic showing the 3 versions of the reproductive system in a female that represents different types of artificial insemination.

Trying to conceive (TTC)

Different types of artificial insemination available

Two women smiling and sharing IVF success stories.

Trying to conceive (TTC)

Two moms journey toward becoming a family of three: Real talk about buying sperm, endless IVF shots, and adjusting to life as new parents

Graphic representing the MTHFR gene.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

What is the MTHFR gene?

A medical professional examining an IVF.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

IVF and ICSI, what’s the difference?

Image of potentially unsafe household cleaning products.

Health and wellness

Nail polish, bug spray, house paint, and more: Just what’s safe?

Image of a woman making healthy snack alternative.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

Healthy snack food alternatives

Image of a person checking their phone.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Red flags down below: Signs you should call your healthcare provider

Reproductive health | Reproductive healthcare

Different types of reproductive healthcare providers

Image of person getting their blood pressure checked at their primary care provider (PCP) appointment.

Reproductive health | Reproductive healthcare

What to expect at an appointment with your primary care provider

Image of a pile of prenatal vitamins.

Reproductive health

Do you really need to start taking prenatal vitamins before conception?

Image of chicken and vegetables chopped up next to a knife on a cutting board.

Reproductive health

Foods to fix iron-deficiency anemia

A person holding prenatal supplements in their hand.

What to look for in a prenatal supplement

A person laying down on their bed.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Pregnancy tests

How do I know if I’m pregnant, or just late?

Quiz: How well do you know your Trying to Conceive (TTC) vocabulary?

A woman looking off into the distance.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Pregnancy tests

No period, no positive pregnancy test- what happened?

Image of a forest.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Pregnancy loss

Five things that might happen after pregnancy loss

A person looking at their pregnancy test.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Pregnancy tests

The best time to take a home pregnancy test

A person staring off into the distance.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Pregnancy loss

What’s a missed miscarriage? Here’s what you should know

Image of a pink rose.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Pregnancy loss

If you think you’re having a miscarriage, take these steps

A person looking out the window with a sad expression.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Pregnancy loss

Trying again

A person leaning against the wall and looking away.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Pregnancy loss

When will my cycle go back to normal?

A couple laying on their bed and giving each other back rubs.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Pregnancy loss

The details about sex after miscarriage

Image of a white flower with a blue background.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Pregnancy loss

Why might miscarriages happen: Common causes

A couple hugging while watching birds fly in the sky.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Pregnancy loss

Can I conceive after an ectopic pregnancy?

A person outside drinking from a bottle of water.

9 nutrition tips when trying to conceive

Image of a pile of tampons.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Can tampons affect your fertility? 

A couple hugging each other and laughing.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Male fertility

Age and male fertility

Graphic of the poison symbol.

Health and wellness

Why do you keep hearing about “toxins”?

A person doing yoga on a mat.

Alternative therapies for fertility

A person laughing while on their phone and drinking out of a mug.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Preconception planning

Clearing up common fertility misconceptions

A person smiling while texting on their phone.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Smoking and fertility

A person talking to their male partner about fertility.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Male fertility

Talking to a male partner about his fertility

A person hydrating while drinking a glass of water.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

Proper hydration and fertility

A person putting bananas and spinach into their smoothie.

Reproductive health

Preparing your body for pregnancy

A person smiling while using their laptop.

Reproductive health

Think you’re pregnant? Here are signs and symptoms to look for

A couple sitting on the couch and looking at their tablet.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Male fertility

Male fertility myths busted

A vegetarian soup.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

How fertility and vegetarian diets work

Reproductive health | Menstrual cycle health

“Is it safe to skip my period?” and other common birth control questions

A doctor talking to patient.

Difficulty getting pregnant | Infertility

What’s the difference between infertility and sterility?

A person reading a book.

Trying to conceive (TTC)

The ABCs of TTC: The acronyms you need to know when trying to conceive

A looking out the window.

Trying to conceive (TTC)

What kind of treatment is available for depression while trying to conceive?

Graphic that states: "Women’s history through her healthcare" for Women's History Month 2021

Observing Women’s History Month 2021 through her healthcare

Two people kissing.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Preconception planning

How to best support your future fertility – even before you start trying

A pile of different colored condoms.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Things condoms can’t always prevent

A person putting out their cigarette and wondering how smoking may affect fertility.

Trying to conceive (TTC)

Fertility tips: quit smoking

A barista serving coffee to a customer and wondering about shift work and fertility.

Work & life harmony

Fertility tips: What’s the danger of shift work?

A couple in the kitchen about to have the fertility talk.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Male fertility

The talk: your partner and fertility

A person sitting cross-legged practicing a breathing meditation.

Health and wellness | Mental health

Take a deep breath: How simple breathing can help you start meditating 

A person sitting on couch.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Fertility signs

Early signs of implantation

A happy couple kissing.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Preconception planning

Fertility tips: Don’t save it up!

A baby bird standing next to three eggs in the grass.

When to count your eggs

A person checking their phone.

Should I use an ovulation predictor kit?

A plate of chicken and vegetable skewers.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Male fertility

Four nutrition tips to improve male fertility

A bucket of household products that may affect fertility.

Difficulty getting pregnant | Infertility

Household items that could affect fertility

Several woman in yoga class to help reduce stress for fertility.

Health and wellness | Exercise and movement

Can yoga help me conceive?

A person looking down in a big room.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Pregnancy tests

Does a negative pregnancy test mean I’m not pregnant?

A woman looking at phone thinking about tracking her ovulation cycle.

Five signs you might be ovulating

Pills and tablets on a teal background to represent prenatal vitamins.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

Should you be taking a prenatal vitamin when TTC?

A glass with a green drink that has many nutrients to help with fertility.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

The most important nutrients to include in your preconception diet

A grapefruit cut in half next to two spoons on a white plate.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Increase fertility

How can I make my cervical fluid more fertile?

A woman doing yoga.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Fertility signs

Fertility hormones: multi-tasking, heavy-lifting, pretty incredible chemicals 

A person with sunglasses on walking and holding a cigarette.

Trying to conceive (TTC)

Seven things to avoid while TTC

A woman doing yoga in the park as a way to prepare for pregnancy.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Preconception planning

Five of the best ways you can prepare your body for pregnancy right now

Graphic of results from Ovia ovulation and cervical position tracking.

How to use Ovia Fertility

Tracking your cervical position

A woman holding phone looking up information on how to track fertility.

How to use Ovia Fertility

Self-tracking devices and fertility: everything you need to know

Two people lie on their stomachs on a bed smiling at each other

Health and wellness

Trying to conceive in a bigger body

Man and woman look at each other in the kitchen

Trying to conceive (TTC)

Trying to conceive in a smaller body

A person looking at her phone, using the Ovia Health ovulation tracker to determine fertile cervical position.

How to use Ovia Fertility

Can cervical position predict fertility?

A woman sitting on couch wondering if antidepressants affect fertility.

Are antidepressants safe when trying to conceive?

A person checking their watch to represent timing sex with ovulation.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Sex for pregnancy

Am I timing sex correctly?

A woman sitting with underwear by her ankles.

Trying to conceive (TTC)

Can I douche while I’m TTC?

Several Clomid fertility pills in a package

Difficulty getting pregnant

Can Clomid help me get pregnant?

A person dealing fortune cards.

The 24 weirdest fertility myths

A person using their laptop and wondering if it may impact male fertility.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Male fertility

Will my laptop hurt my fertility?

A couple laying together on the couch.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Preconception planning

Can saliva hurt sperm?

A couple in bed smiling and holding each other.

Trying to conceive (TTC)

Should I wait a day between sex when fertile?

A sink with running faucet.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

How can cervical fluid problems affect conception?

A person looking up early symptoms of pregnancy on the phone while laying on the couch.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Pregnancy tests

Am I seeing signs of early pregnancy?

12 different drawings of lightbulbs to represent tips on how to get pregnant fast

18 tips to get pregnant faster that actually work

A couple laying in bed and looking at a pregnancy test.

Difficulty getting pregnant | Infertility

Getting pregnant after diagnosed infertility

A pregnant woman holding her stomach with her two children.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Getting pregnant after cancer treatment

Many flowers sitting in the sun to represent new beginnings, or lifestyle changes to make that may boost fertility.

Lifestyle changes that may boost your fertility to improve your chances of conceiving

How to use Ovia Fertility

How to use your fertility chart

A person looking up information on their phone on how to conceive fast.

How to use Ovia Fertility

Are you TTC? How Ovia can help you conceive faster

A person on their cell phone looking up causes of infertility.

Difficulty getting pregnant | Infertility

Causes of infertility

A person reading a book and using their laptop to look up information about their infertility consultation.

Difficulty getting pregnant | Fertility testing

What to expect at your first infertility consultation

A doctor explaining the types of fertility treatments available to two patients.

Difficulty getting pregnant | Infertility

Types of fertility treatments

A person using the calculator on their phone to calculate fertility treatment costs

Reproductive health | Reproductive healthcare

Fertility costs and insurance coverage

A happy couple holding each other lovingly to represent getting pregnant after 35.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Preconception planning

Trying to conceive when 35 and older

A sad woman lying with her head in her partner's lap.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Miscarriage: what it is, why it happens, and how it can affect future pregnancies

A couple and one is kissing the other on the forehead to people that have been trying to get pregnant for over a year.

Difficulty getting pregnant

Over one year of TTC

A couple talking to a medical professional with a clipboard about infertility testing.

Difficulty getting pregnant | Infertility

Trouble conceiving? Get tested for infertility

A woman cutting up vegetables in the kitchen to represent eating healthy to help fertility.

A healthy lifestyle today can lead to a healthy pregnancy tomorrow: what you can do now

A couple talking about the effects of smoking and drinking on fertility.

How smoking and alcohol can affect fertility

A person using a spoon to eat from a bowl of oats and strawberries to represent foods to eat while trying to conceive.

Nutrition to promote fertility

Multiple people working out to represent exercise and fertility.

Health and wellness | Exercise and movement

Exercise and fertility

Vials of blood in front of a medical form to represent genetic testing before pregnancy.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Preconception planning

Why you might want to get genetic testing before getting pregnant

A person running because good physical health affects fertility.

From superfoods to smoking: what can help and hurt your fertility

A couple looking at their phone looking up information on how to track the fertile window.

How to use Ovia Fertility

Tracking fertility to get pregnant faster

A person sitting outside on their cellphone looking up information about ovulation and the fertility window.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Fertility signs

When exactly can you get pregnant? All you need to know about the fertile window

woman speaks to her provider

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Preconception planning

7 stubborn fertility myths we’re ready to retire

Many clocks to represent how long should it take to get pregnant.

Difficulty getting pregnant

Getting pregnant: How long should it take?

woman sits at the kitchen counter looking at her phone

How to use Ovia Fertility

How you can benefit from tracking your fertility if you’re TTC

A person looking out their window.

Health and wellness | Mental health

How can pre-existing mental health conditions affect a pregnancy?

Several women at workout ballet class

Health and wellness

Understanding abs

A woman on foam roller.

Health and wellness | Exercise and movement

Four common workout injuries and how to avoid them

A woman lifting weights and practicing their strength training.

Health and wellness | Exercise and movement

The importance of strength training

Woman, seated on couch, looks at her phone

Health and wellness | Nutrition

Investigating the 2,000 calorie diet

A woman cooking and eating in kitchen.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

Five “superfoods” that might not be so super

Woman practicing self advocacy at doctors office because she is talking about her healthcare.

Reproductive health | Reproductive healthcare

How to advocate for yourself as a patient to get the care you deserve

A person making healthy drink to represent tracking food and drink when trying to conceive.

How to use Ovia Fertility

Tracking your food and drink intake with Ovia

Image of a person exercising at home near their staircase.

Health and wellness | Exercise and movement

Exercises you can do in your living room

A woman at doctors office getting her blood pressure checked to represent getting a blood pressure tracker.

How to use Ovia Fertility

Tracking your blood pressure with Ovia

A person stretching.

How to use Ovia Fertility

Tracking your activity with Ovia

A woman sleeping in bed sideways because it’s her bedtime ritual to help her sleep better.

Help yourself get better sleep with these routines

A woman asleep in her bed because she learned how to sleep better.

Five small changes that can help you sleep better than ever

A woman on her phone in bed, representing an activity she should avoid before bed.

Before bedtime no-nos: Stuff to avoid that won’t help you sleep

A person watching a meditating video on their laptop while meditating.

Health and wellness

The basics of meditation

Two women smiling while talking about how to be an advocate for their healthcare.

Reproductive health | Reproductive healthcare

Advocate for your health by bringing a support person with you to appointment

A woman who knows how much sleep she needs taking a day time nap in bed.

Do you know how much sleep is enough…or too much?

Woman in bed trying to increase her deep sleep by reading and drinking tea.

Bedtime goodies that may help you boost that deep sleep already

A woman who understands the importance of sleep taking a day time nap in her bed.

Restful nights can make happy days: Are you getting enough sleep?

A person checking their phone while also using her laptop to research information about the BRCA gene.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Learn about the BRCA gene and why it’s important

A person talking on their phone about their abnormal Pap smear results.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Abnormal pap smears: Everything you need to know

Two women running outside.

Health and wellness | Exercise and movement

A beginner’s guide to exercise: starting at square one

A graphic of a leaf growing to represent the Ovia Fertility application.

How to use Ovia Fertility

How Ovia can help you be your healthiest, happiest self

Ovarian egg traveling in fallopian tubes during ovulation representing when you ovulate.

Learn about when you ovulate: One egg’s epic journey

Here’s when your fertile window opens and closes

A doctor talking to their patient about what to expect from a future Pap smear with a clipboard in their hand.

Reproductive health | Reproductive healthcare

Are you getting a Pap smear? Here’s the process.

A person traveling checking their map to represent the question: 'how does travel affect ovulation?'

Reproductive health | Ovulation

When your cycle’s out of sync: how travel can affect ovulation

Three people talking and getting ready to go for a run as part of their exercise routine.

Health and wellness | Exercise and movement

How to start an exercise routine – and stick with it

Hospital and health symbol.

Health and wellness

Helpful facts about migraines

Image of health symbol, the caduceus.

Health and wellness

What to do about increased or nervous energy

People shopping for oil at the grocery store.

Health and wellness

Oils are awesome: From olive to argan, the best oils you didn’t realize

Image of spoons with different seeds in them.

Health and wellness

What’s the deal with gluten?

Image of fish and seasonings.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

Seafood and mercury levels: What you should know

Image of a person with several multivitamins in their hand.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

Good for you or good for nothing? What you should know about taking a multivitamin

Image of a persons reproductive eggs in a microscope.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Preconception planning

Pros and cons of freezing your eggs

Image of leafy greens that could be included in a new, healthy diet.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

Six meals to boost your greens

Image of abstract cycles to represent a normal or irregular period cycle.

Reproductive health | Menstrual cycle health

Menstrual cycle length: Just what’s normal? 

A pile of low-dose aspirin.

Health and wellness

Low-dose aspirin: What’s the deal?

A person staring off in to the distance wondering if a past abortion affect pregnancy

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Future pregnancy with past abortion history

A person checking their watch while holding their phone.

Health and wellness | Exercise and movement

Obvious and not-so-obvious benefits of exercise

Woman getting a mammogram screening from her doctor.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Understand your mammogram screening

A person holding the area near their uterus to represent endometriosis.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Endometriosis

Graphic of underwear to represent cervical fluid tracking.

How to use Ovia Fertility

Tracking your cervical fluid with Ovia

A thermometer to indicate tracking basal body temperature.

How to use Ovia Fertility

Tracking your basal body temperature with Ovia

A bed to represent how sleep and fertility are connected.

How to use Ovia Fertility

Tracking your sleep with Ovia

Fish, nuts, and seeds to represent foods in a diet that contain omega 3 and 6.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

Are you getting your omegas? 

Image of smoothies for a green diet.

Go green: Six ways to work more greens into your diet

A cellphone, pen, bag, and other items on a bed to represent using Ovia Fertility versus other tools to track your ovulation.

Reproductive health

Using Ovia to track your ovulation – even with an irregular cycle

Image of avocados, nuts, and fish, representing foods that contain healthy fats.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

The good, the bad, the misunderstood: What you need to know about fats

A person using the Ovia Fertility tracker on their cellphone device.

How to use Ovia Fertility

From cervical fluid to sleep: How tracking your body’s signs and symptoms can identify when you ovulate

A healthy recipe of lamb, quinoa, and lentils, that can help boost fertility.

Fertility recipes: Lamb koftas with date lentil quinoa and yogurt coconut creamed spinach

Image of the feet of several people walking on a treadmill.

Health and wellness | Exercise and movement

Five exercise myths busted

Scientist examining a patient's blood sample in a lab.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

What you should know about the Zika virus

A person holding an egg meant to represent an egg donation for someone trying to get pregnant.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Egg donation: Thinking it through

Many eggs sitting in a carton to represent how long an female egg is viable after ovulation.

Trying to conceive (TTC)

Fertile window for eggs and sperm

Graphic representing health and medical symbol.

Health and wellness

Change in vaginal discharge: What it means

Table with several creme brûlée desserts made from healthy ingredients and an easy recipe.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

Fertility recipes: Crème brulee

A person looking up signs of PCOS on their cellphone.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Could I have PCOS?

A person checking their heart rate on their watch while listening to music on their headphones.

Health and wellness | Exercise and movement

How much exercise is too much?

Four egg shells.

What is anovulation?

A person laughing in a red and white stripped room.

Reproductive health | Menstrual cycle health

Are my periods irregular?

Homemade chicken noodle soup made from a recipe.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

Fertility recipes: chicken noodle soup

Pumpkin blueberry muffins in the oven.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

Fertility recipes: pumpkin blueberry muffins

A bowl of apple and pumpkin oatmeal.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

Fertility recipes: apple and pumpkin oatmeal

A plate of stir fry brussel sprouts with garlic.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

Fertility recipes: stir fried garlic brussel sprouts

A bowl of Caramelized onion hummus.

Health and wellness | Nutrition

Fertility recipes: caramelized onion hummus

A phone on the bed to represent how to use it to track your luteal phase.

How to use Ovia Fertility

Tracking fertility during the luteal phase

A person on their laptop and cellphone looking up information on how to track fertility at their proliferative phase.

How to use Ovia Fertility

Tracking fertility during the proliferative phase

Woman, seated on kitchen counter, looks at her phone

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

PCOS

Image of a symbol representing health.

Health and wellness

Forgetfulness: Learn the reasons behind it

Image representing health symbol

Health and wellness

The meaning behind dark urine

Image representing medical symbol.

Health and wellness

Clumsiness: Is it just having an “off” day?

A graphic representing a symbol for health.

Reproductive health | Menstrual cycle health

Helpful information about vaginal spotting or bleeding

Image of health symbol.

Reproductive health | Sex and intimacy

Painful intercourse: Causes and prevention

Graphic representing health symbol.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Oily hair: What you should know

Graphic representing health.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Why the metallic taste and what it means

Image of health symbol, the caduceus.

Health and wellness

Helpful information about itchy hands

Image of health symbol, the caduceus.

Health and wellness

Learn more about itchy feet

Image of health symbol, the caduceus.

Trying to conceive (TTC) | Fertility signs

Intense lower back pain: What you should know

Image of health symbol, the caduceus.

Health and wellness

Infrequent urination: What causes it and can it be avoided?

Health and medicine symbol.

Health and wellness

Increased thirst: Do you need to drink more water?

Symbol of health and medicine.

Health and wellness

What really causes hiccups?

Graphic of the health symbol.

Health and wellness

Hemorrhoids: What you should know

Image of the health symbol.

Health and wellness

Smelling really good lately? Here’s why your body might be doing it

Graphic of symbol that represents health.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

Reasons why heavy vaginal bleeding might be occurring

Symbol of health and medicine.

Reproductive health | Reproductive issues and conditions

What is acid reflux?