By Reproclinic Editorial Committee
January is a month in which many of us set new goals for the year. Learning a new language, going to the gym or to quit smoking are some examples. But if your New Year's purpose is to have a baby, at Reproclinic we want to help you to boost your fertility and your chances of having a baby.
Achieving a healthy pregnancy in 2019 requires changes in your routine and your habits. You should not wait to get pregnant to improve your diet or stop drinking. Our specialists recommend preparing your body at least six months before. Do you want to know how? Take note of these tips to boost your fertility!
It may be obvious, but if your purpose for 2019 is to have a baby, it is necessary to stop taking oral contraceptives. It is advisable to leave the pill at the end of the complete cycle. That is once you finish the blister of pills. Once you have left them, it is possible to get pregnant in the first month. However, there are women who need more time. After leaving the pill, your cycles may be out of order and your period may take a few months to return.
Weight plays a fundamental role in your fertility. Being above your ideal weight, as well as being below it, has negative consequences for your health.
Try to exercise on regular basis. It is proven that moderate exercise helps maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI) and reduces stress. In addition, exercise helps balance hormones, which helps to boost your fertility.
Being below the ideal weight affects ovulation and being overweight affects the endocrine glands, creating hormonal imbalances and, therefore, affecting ovulation and egg quality.
Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables while avoiding processed foods, sugars and refined flours. Include in your diet foods rich in folic acid, vitamins E, vitamin C and zinc to improve your fertility.
Folic acid helps prevent malformations in the baby and decrease the chances of premature birth or having a baby with low birth weight.
We recommend taking a folic acid supplement on daily basis from one to three months before conception and continue taking it during all the pregnancy.
Smoking during pregnancy is very harmful for the baby. Smoking can increase the chances of premature birth, of developing health problems or of the baby being born with low weight. But it is not only necessary to stop smoking when you get pregnant. Tobacco directly affects male and female fertility. Recent studies show that tobacco affects the viability of sperm.
Experts recommend to quit smoking six months before becoming pregnant.
Stress negatively affects your fertility. It is believed that cortisol, a hormone that is segregated with stress, affects the reproductive hormones responsible for ovulation. In addition, women and couples who undergo fertility treatment may suffer higher levels of anxiety and depression. Yoga for fertility and acupuncture can help you control stress levels and improve your fertility.
Knowing your fertile days can increase your chances of pregnancy. If your cycle is regular, your ovulation occurs around day 14 after the period. The three days before and after are those when you have a higher probability of getting pregnant.
Don't let sex become an obligation! The recommendation to avoid that would be to have regular sexual intercourse 2-3 times a week. That way you will be having intercourse around ovulation for sure, but without the need of being worried or stressed about it. The most important thing is to take good care of your relationship, not only at a sexual level, but also from the emotional perspective. Coping with infertility is a challenging situation, and the stronger you are as a couple, the better you will be able to cope with it. If you get pregnant, when the baby is born you will have little time for yourselves. Take advantage of these months to spend quality time together.
If you've been trying to get pregnant for more than a year, or you're over 35 and have been trying for six months, it's time to go to a specialist.
Do not be afraid. Fertility problems are more common than what you might think. It is estimated that approximately 17% of couples have problems conceiving. An early diagnosis can increase your chances of pregnancy. Remember that age in women is a determining factor for the success of the fertility treatment. Do not put it off, ask for your first free consultation with a fertility specialist at Reproclinic.
Medical Director at Reproclinic
Specialist in Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine
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