Every woman’s journey to and throughout pregnancy is different. Some women may find that they get pregnant as soon as they start trying while others have a bit more of a struggle on their hands. You might find that you start to lose your patience or begin to get stressed and worried about your fertility. So, here are a few tips to try that can help to improve your fertility as well as to try and ensure you have a healthy baby.
Consider your diet.
It is always advisable to eat a healthy, balanced diet and in doing so you can actually improve your chances of getting pregnant. For the most part, a healthy diet in life is a healthy diet for pregnancy but you should consider the impact that certain foods might have on your fertility. The best foods include wholegrain, unsaturated fats and vegetable proteins like lentils and beans. Also, you can check out these drinks that affect fertility – you might be surprised!
Start taking folic acid.
Folic acid needs time to build up in your system to provide maximum protection for your baby against neural tube defects. Many women find that they conceive much quicker once they start taking folic acid and it might even be wise to start taking it before you even come off your contraception to ensure it is in your system whenever you do conceive.
Stop smoking and drinking.
Naturally, many women will quit smoking or cut out the alcohol once they become pregnant, but it is advisable to make these changes prior to your pregnancy. Both nicotine and alcohol have been linked to reduced fertility in men AND women (so try and get your partner to make these changes with you). Not only will this make it much easier to stop during pregnancy but the sooner you quit, the better it is for your overall health.
Stay active and maintain a healthy weight.
You probably already know that being overweight or underweight can have a serious effect on your fertility so try to maintain a healthy weight for your age and height – check out your ideal BMI here. Doing regular exercise will help your fertility as well as benefit your pregnancy and your baby in the long term. It does not have to be strenuous or vigorous exercise; a brisk walk is better than nothing.
Have a cervical screening test.
Anyone between the ages of 25 and 49 should be having a cervical screening test every 3 years anyway but if you are planning on getting pregnant you should get your test beforehand. Pregnancy can make the results of these tests harder to interpret and can ensure you have no issues or health concerns going into it.
Talk to your doctor about any pre-existing conditions or medications.
Immediately consult your doctor if you are planning to conceive and have any conditions that you are taking medication for as certain ones can make it harder to get pregnant. There could always be alternative medications or other options that they can go over with you. Never stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor first.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
