For many couples, the road to parenthood isn’t always smooth sailing. In fact, around 15% of couples struggle to conceive naturally, and many have to turn to fertility treatments to help them have a baby. Sometimes, there are natural ways you can increase your fertility and help improve your chances of conceiving a healthy child. Generally speaking, your lifestyle choices have a massive impact on your health, including your fertility. With that said, here’s some advice from a London fertility centre with some simple changes you can make to help improve your chances of conceiving
Exercise
The amount of exercise you get may impact your fertility. Sometimes, when women exercise too much, it can affect their menstrual cycle, which makes it difficult to conceive. Likewise, not enough exercise can also reduce your ability to conceive. It would be wise to spending around 30 minutes each day doing some sort of moderate exercise, like a brisk walk. You don’t necessarily have to hit the gym, just take part in some sort of activity that raises your heart rate. Research has found that moderate exercise reduces the risk of miscarriage.
Exercise is also an important way to prepare your body for pregnancy and labour, which puts strain on the body. If you are fit and strong, you may find it easier to cope with this strain.
Smoking & Drinking
Infertility rates are far higher in patients who smoke. This is because the chemicals in cigarettes cause damage to the genetic material in eggs and sperm. In fact, smoking while pregnant can actually impact your own child’s ability to conceive in the future, and can increase the likelihood of pre-term birth and certain birth defects.
With all this in mind, it would be wise to speak to your doctor about getting some help with quitting if you’re hoping to have a baby.
Alcohol can also reduce a couple’s chances of conceiving, particularly for heavy drinkers. It can lower testosterone levels and both the quality and quantity of a man’s sperm.
Mental Health
Your mental wellbeing can have a huge influence on your body. High levels of stress, for instance, can impact a woman’s menstrual cycle, and can reduce libido, both of which can reduce the chances of conception. Research has found that depression can affect that regulation of the luteinising hormone, which is responsible for controlling ovulation. With this in mind, it’s important to prioritise your mental health if you’re hoping to have a baby.
Perhaps consider meditation or therapy to help improve your mental wellbeing. Don’t be afraid to seek the support of your family and friends if you are struggling mentally, particular with your fertility journey.
Vitamins
If you have certain vitamin deficiencies, you may find that taking supplements will help improve your fertility. Folic acid is usually recommended for women who are trying to conceive, or are in the early stages of pregnancy, as it is crucial during the first few weeks of foetal development.
The right nutrients are equally important for men as they are for women. Vitamin C, for instance, is a powerful antioxidant and can reduce cellular damage throughout the body. In other words, it can be beneficial for sperm count and mobility.
Diet
Considering the healthiness of your diet is a great way to potentially help improve fertility. As a basic rule of thumb, it would be wise to eat a range of fruit and vegetables. In fact, variety is just as important as quantity in ensuring you are getting the right nutrients. It’s also wise to avoid processed foods and large amounts of caffeine.
Of course, at different stages during the menstrual cycle, lots of women are tempted to reach for certain comfort foods, especially when feeling lethargic. It would be better to boost your energy by increasing the number of iron-rich foods, like leafy greens, beans, fish, and unprocessed meat.
If you are struggling to conceive, it’s important to bear in mind that your lifestyle choices might not be the sole reason why. Everyone’s fertility journey is unique, so be sure to consult a healthcare professional for more specific advice. A fertility doctor will be able to perform various tests to help come up with a conclusion as to why you cannot conceive and suggest the appropriate next steps.
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