Trying to conceive can be upsetting when it doesn’t come easy. Growing up, you think of getting pregnant as something that’s simple. So it can be a real shocker to experience infertility.
Social media doesn’t make this an easier. It’s frustrating to stare at picture after picture of your glowing pregnant friends or photos of their joyful, smiling kids. Of course you feel happy for them. But jealousy still rears its head.
Medical science doesn’t fully understand why some people have difficulty conceiving. There are examples of couples trying unsuccessfully for years to conceive, even trying fertility treatments – only to miraculously got pregnant years later the “old fashioned way”. This is after all else had failed
However, if you have been trying for a baby with no success for more than a couple of years, it could be coming down to you or your partner’s fertility. There could be something going on behind the scenes that is preventing you from conceiving. Before you start to panic, you might want to give attention to these golden rules of fertility.
Find A Specialist Early On In The Process
If it’s taking you longer than average to become pregnant, it’s worth finding a specialist, such as mcrmfertility.com. They will be able to talk to you more in depth about your pregnancy issues. Plus, they’ll be able to advise you about any long-term health conditions or previous health issues that could be impacting your fertility.
More importantly, they’ll be able to examine you and see if there is any obvious problem with your fertility. For instance, they might discover that you are suffering with endometriosis or that you have a blockage in your Fallopian tubes. They can also examine your partner and see if there is any problems with his sperm count.
Drink Less Caffeine
You know that the food and drinks you consume can have a big effect on your overall health. But did you know that there are some foods you need to stay away from while trying to conceive? One of these is caffeine.
It’s important to stay away from caffeinated beverages during this time as they can increase the risk of pregnancy loss at an early stage. This isn’t just the case for women. Quite a few studies show that a high consumption of caffeine in men prior to conception can also be risky to the fetus. So, next time you are in starbucks.com you should think about asking for decaf!
Reduce Your Alcohol Intake
Many fertility experts also advise against drinking alcohol when trying to conceive. Again, this is advice for both men and women. Did you know that excessive drinking over a long period can significantly reduce a man’s sperm count?
Even though the links between female fertility and alcohol still aren’t so widely known, it’s thought that drinking more than a teetotaler can be problematic for conception. In fact, drinking regularly can reduce a woman’s chances of getting pregnant by up to 18%. That’s significant.
Of course, there are also reasons to abstain from drinking once you do manage to conceive. No amount of alcohol is deemed safe for a growing fetus. It can affect the development right up until birth.
Make Sure Your Partner Avoids Extreme Temperatures
Did you know that temperature can play a big part in male fertility? It’s true – there’s a reason why the male anatomy is located outside the body. It needs to stay cool. If things get too hot, the sperm will overheat and die.
So, make sure your man doesn’t spend too much time in the sauna or hot tub while trying to get pregnant. Similarly, he shouldn’t be exposed to very cold temperatures either. Plus, it might be dangerous for him to use his laptop on his lap. He should place it on a lap tray as this can absorb some of the heat.
Get Your Thyroid Checked
Thyroid problems can make it difficult to conceive. For example, people who have an underactive thyroid may not be ovulating normally. And this can place a huge obstacle with fertility.
If you already know that you have this problem with your thyroid, you should go to your doctor for advice before you start trying for a baby. And if you haven’t been tested, now would be a good time. Medication or herbal treatment can help stabilize things, potentially improving your fertility.
Consider Dietary Supplements
A deficit in any key vitamin and mineral may lead to a pregnancy struggle. For example, many health professionals tell women to take a daily supplement of folic acid. This is a form of vitamin B that helps increase the body’s production of red blood cells. This is important during pregnancy as the body will be making more blood for you and the baby.
Both you and your partner might also want to start taking zinc supplements. This helps with female ovulation and can also boost a man’s production of healthy sperm. You can find out more great daily supplements to help boost fertility online
Watch Out For Fish That Contains High Levels Of Mercury
Even though fish is largely considered to be safe while you are trying to conceive and during pregnancy, there are a few types that you should watch out for. These are fish that contain high levels of mercury, including mackerel and tuna. This mercury can stay in your body and excess levels of it have been closely linked to infertility.
Mercury is a toxin. And although it’s harmless in small amounts, it could prove to be a lot more serious during conception. So, be very aware when eating fish while trying to conceive. Even though fish is healthy, you need to make sure you aren’t consuming any that put you at risk of large amounts of mercury.
Start To Filter Your Water
Do you already filter your tap water before you drink it or use it in your cooking? If not, you might want to start. There are a lot of nasty chemicals like chlorine in unfiltered tap water, some of which might reduce your fertility. Ideally, you need to be putting in pure food and liquids to your body while you are trying to conceive.
Start Exercising Regularly
The more committed to exercise you are, then the more fertile you’ll likely be. However, you need to be sensible when exercising as extreme physical activity can actually reduce fertility. But if you do a few sessions of gentle to moderate exercise each week, you can give your fertility a boost. Make sure that this doesn’t lead to extreme weight loss though, as this will make it even more difficult to conceive.
Don’t Get Stressed
Stress is another factor that can be bad for fertility. So do your best to control those stress levels. I know – easier said than done!
Thankfully, there are some really effective ways to manage stress. For instance, you could take up yoga classes or start practicing mindfulness. Make managing stress a priority.
As you can see, there is a lot that can affect your fertility. The bottom line is there isn’t a magical formula to conceive. Focus on other things in your life that bring you happiness. And hopefully, you’ll eventually find a way to your magical bundle of joy!
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*Photos courtesy of Pixabay
