#Collaborative post
If you’re hoping to have a baby in the future, or you’re already trying, it’s likely that you want to try and do whatever you can to increase your chances of conceiving. Fertility is generally quite a taboo subject and not something that is widely explored in the school curriculum, meaning we might not be as clued up as we could be on how to improve our reproductive help. I have teamed up with a private fertility clinic to provide you with some pre-pregnancy advice, which will hopefully help you get your body into optimal shape for pregnancy.
Obviously, you will need to start by stopping your birth control. If you currently rely on condoms, you can continue to use them right up until the time you’d like to start trying to conceive. The same applies to the copper coil, as this type of birth control doesn’t disrupt the menstrual cycle. Other types of birth control may need to be halted earlier because it might take a while for your period to regulate. If you have the implant, for example, it might take around 3-8 months for your fertility to return to normal after it has been removed, which will delay your chances of getting pregnant.
You should also consider some of your lifestyle choices. If you’re a smoker, you should certainly quit, and it would also be wise to avoid alcohol. You should also try and reduce your stress levels, as stress can affect ovulation and decrease libido. Perhaps you could consider yoga or mediation to help you remain calm when trying to conceive. It’s worth noting, that lifestyle choices can also affect a man’s ability to conceive and it’s crucial that their sperm is healthy. Make sure that both parties are making sensible decisions associated with their overall health, as this will improve your chances of conceiving and delivering a healthy baby.
Diet plays an important role in fertility. It would be wise to eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, fish and whole grains, as these types of foods are rich in antioxidants and other nutrients that your body needs to help you grow a baby. Speak to your doctor, as they may be able to suggest some supplements that you could take, if necessary.
Exercise is important in general but try and keep it to a moderate level. If you exercise excessively, it may interfere with your menstrual cycle. Try and stick to one short walk a day along with some stretching, to ensure you’re not overdoing it.