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Lifestyle tips
It’s important you prepare your body and adjust your lifestyle to maximise your chances of conception. Here are some tips that can really make a difference to your level of fertility.
Water – When trying to conceive it is very important to drink lots of water (about 8-10 cups a day). This helps the kidneys to flush out waste products from the body and increases fertile quality cervical fluid.
Avoid alcohol – It is a good idea to avoid or strictly limit alcohol intake as this reduces fertility. Department of Health advice is to avoid alcohol completely if trying to conceive or during pregnancy.
Caffeine – Caffeine is thought to restrict the growth of a developing baby by constricting blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the uterus. Current advice is to limit caffeine intake to below 300mg per day, equivalent to 4 cups of instant coffee, 3 cups of fresh coffee or 6 cups of tea.
Smoking – Women have a 40% lower chance of getting pregnant if they smoke, according to a report published by the British Medical Association (BMA). Smoking decreases sperm count and increases sperm abnormalities in men. Ask your GP or Practice Nurse for help in quitting.
Exercise - Women who exercise regularly are less likely to experience the uncomfortable side effects of pregnancy (back pain, piles, swollen ankles etc), to have excessive weight gain and more likely to feel good about their changing body. A fit healthy body is also more likely to cope better with child birth . Find a balance though because excessive amounts of exercise can lead to fertility problems such as irregular periods and anovulatory cycles (cycles where ovulation does not occur).
Stress less – There are so many people who worry excessively about becoming pregnant and once they release that stress, their body reacts to the new peace by creating a new life. So try not to worry and enjoy the fun of trying to conceive.
Supplement – Taking a supplement specially formulated for before conception will provide you with 400mcg folic acid and other nutrients such as l-arginine and vitamin B12 which help support the nutritional requirements of women trying to conceive.
Sex – Have sex often, at least 3 times a week, the more often you try, the more chances you get at becoming pregnant.
Lay low – Lying down for at least a few minutes after sex increases the odds that the sperm will be able to keep their date with the awaiting egg.
STDs – Make sure that you have been properly screened for STDs. Pelvic inflammatory disease is common amongst women with the number-one cause being an untreated sexually transmitted disease.
Medications –If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter drugs be sure to ask your doctor if it’s safe to continue taking them once you start trying to conceive. Contrary to popular belief, taking the contraceptive pill, antibiotics or analgesics should not affect the accuracy of your pregnancy test.
Pill – If you have been on the pill for a long time you may be low on certain vitamins and minerals especially the B-group vitamins.
Calendar – Keep a menstrual calendar and note the date when your period starts, the number of days it lasts and anything else your doctor or midwife might want to know.
Numbers game – Keep in mind that baby making is a numbers game. Even if you do everything ‘right’ you still only have a 25-30 percent chance of conceiving in any given cycle.
Diets – Don’t go on a crash diet. They affect your ovulation and consequently your fertility.
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