Due to present-day lifestyles, numerous factors affecting fertility come into play. Research has identified that only 30% of couples are able to conceive within the first three months of trying. Focusing on preconception health significantly increases your chances of conceiving. Below are some tips that can help you conceive naturally.
1. Keep an eye on your Monthly cycle
Track your menstrual cycle, and consult your doctor in case there is any irregularity. Every month, the cycle essentially reminds us that our reproductive clock is ticking. If your cycle isn’t regular, that means there is something wrong with the clock. And you’ll need to fix that before planning to conceive a child. Monitor your ovulation and time your intercourse accordingly. You don’t really need to have sex everyday, and nor do you need to practice long durations of abstinence till you are ovulating. A natural marker for ovulation can be felt by an increase in your body temperature. You may also decide to take professional help from a doctor to know about the fertile window.
2. Seek help when Distressed
Taking care of your mental health before and during pregnancy is extremely vital. Significant research suggests that prenatal stress and anxiety may leave long-lasting effects on the mental health and behaviour of your offspring. Stress also has a negative impact on your chances of conception due to an imbalance of hormones. So make sure to communicate and stay in touch with your near and dear ones, and speak to a mental health care provider, should you feel the need to. An adequate amount of sleep also helps with calming those overactive chemicals in your body and can help increase your chances of conceiving a healthy child.
3. Pay your Doctor a Visit
Having a conversation with your doctor about your plans for conception is a great idea. You then get a chance to review your medical history and current health conditions, if present, such as PCOS, diabetes or thyroid dysfunction, which might affect your ability to conceive naturally. You can also consult your doctor regarding some of the medications that you can or cannot take and the possible effects they can have on your future child. Genetic screening, and subsequently, genetic counselling can also be considered in cases of inheritable disorders on the mother’s, or the father’s side.
4. Take Folic acid Supplements Every Day
Folic acid is a B-complex vitamin (Vitamin B₉). According to the Recommended Dietary Allowance chart put out by the Government of India, it is recommended that the mother take at least 400-500 micrograms of folic acid supplements every day, starting from before conceiving, till at least three months into the gestational period. However, it is best to consult your doctor about the amount that is to be consumed. Research has found that taking periconceptional folic acid significantly reduces the chances of neural tube defects.
5. It’s time to kick the Cigarettes and Booze to the Curb!
Smoking has historically been linked to a large number of health issues including, but not limited to infertility, premature births, miscarriages and low birth weight. Alcohol before or during pregnancy is often considered detrimental as it can be associated with preterm delivery, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and developmental delays. In men, smoking and consuming excessive alcohol have been found to quantitatively and qualitatively affect semen production.
6. Watch your Weight and your Diet
It is recommended to switch to a healthier, more nutritious and balanced diet, especially before pregnancy. Being overweight or underweight can affect your chances of conception. An unhealthy diet in males can affect sperm count and motility, whereas in females can lead to a disbalance of certain hormones relating to fertility. Moderate exercise is encouraged. Exposure to toxic environmental substances, including certain pesticides can also have a very negative effect on your fertility and health.
7. Make sure to take your Vaccine Shots
It is important to take your vaccines as certain diseases such as rubella or german measles can affect your baby during pregnancy as well. Alongside, it may be worthwhile to get vaccinated against Covid-19. It is recommended that the vaccine is taken as soon as possible as any disease attack during pregnancy can be life-threatening to both the mother as well as the fetus. Before the administration of any vaccine, it is best to consult your physician.
8. Look after your Teeth
Due to an increase in hormone levels during pregnancy, the mother can develop a number of dental problems including pregnancy epulis and gingivitis. Therefore, it is important to maintain proper dental health and hygiene before conception.
Conclusion
It is necessary to recognize that everyone’s journey to parenthood is not the same, and that is okay. Fertility has been showing a decreasing trend, especially in recent years owing to the impactful yet inescapable lifestyle changes. And as a consequence of these changes, a lot of couples face a longer time to conception. Even at this juncture, for women who have been naturally blessed with abundant ovarian reserves, there may not be a significant issue, but for the increasing majority of those who have not, the chances of conceiving decrease even more with age. It is important to remember that keeping a positive mindset along with a healthy lifestyle and seeking appropriate medical advice at the right time can help you conceive faster and without the baggage of excessive stress.
Consider Ferticare by scheduling a free consultation to know more about the prospects of getting pregnant. We provide support for surrogacy, donor sperm, egg IVF, IUI, and natural pregnancy. We offer individualized treatment that is appropriate for your requirements and circumstances.
Visit our website right now at www.ferticare.in to locate the fertility treatment that will work best for you.