When it’s time to make a baby, what every hopeful couple would appreciate the most is an easy conception. How hard can it be? Most of us imagine that some loving action between the sheets would lead to an offspring being born in nine months.
Well, while most couples do get it their way most of the time, many though, find it difficult to conceive even after a few months of unprotected sexual intercourse. Here, you will find some useful tips that may help, and believe it or not, we’ve also lined up some products which may help you get pregnant. Go on, then… Make a baby, will you?
Your health matters
The last thing anyone wants is to be pregnant in poor health, or worse, let the lack of health affect their unborn baby. Here are some pointers on which areas to be particularly attentive to, so that you will have a better chance of conceiving and also, enjoy a healthier pregnancy, and just as importantly, ensure that your baby is healthy too.
Let’s get fertile, mama!
Maintain a BMI of 20 – 25. A healthy body mass index (BMI) is associated with better fertility health. Overweight pregnant women are found to be more vulnerable to problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. So, cut down, or better still, do away with all those deep-friend stuff and start consuming a healthier diet of fresh vegetables, meat, fish, and whole grains for optimum nutritional intake. Keep well hydrated too, as this aids in digestion and helps your body use and manage all those nutrients well! Round this up with regular, moderate exercise and you should be well on your way to a healthier body in no time.
Put out those ciggies. Smoking halves the chances of conceiving each month and can also double the chances of miscarriage, so why take any risks? If you can’t go cold turkey on your ciggies, then gradually cut them off, for the sake of your health.
Take folic acid. Folic acid supplements can help reduce the chances of spina bifida by up to 92%. Other minerals and supplements may also be useful.
Reduce caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine may reduce your chances of conceiving. As for, alcohol during pregnancy, there is no ‘safe’ limit, so again, why risk it?
Medication. Discuss all your medications with your doctor and come off any complementary or alternative supplements unless your doctor has approved of them.
De-stress your life. Stress has become such a normal thing in our lives that many among us may have even become accustomed to living a stressful life. If you’re trying for a baby, stress will have a negative impact on your efforts. Relaxation methods such as the ones taught in yoga classes are said to help overcome stress effectively.
Get your Rubella shot. Make sure you have had a rubella immunisation. Rubella can be a dangerous threat to unborn babies.
Tips for male fertility
Maintain a normal BMI. Keep active and stay at an ideal weight. Obese men have sperm counts on average 22% lower when compared to their slimmer counterparts. Hence, aim for a body mass index (BMI) of below 28.
Don’t smoke! The toxins contained in a stick of cigarette is capable of dramatically reducing the quality of one’s sperm. Need we say more?
Control or avoid alcohol. Alcohol has also been shown to affect male fertility as it does for females, so do go light and easy on those beers, or, better still, abstain while you’re trying for a baby!
Keep those testes cool! Wear loose and comfortable boxer shorts instead of tight briefs, for this helps the testes to stay cool. Men in sedentary jobs can have poorer quality sperm because their testes are more prone to heating up. Keep your laptop off your lap and swap those hot baths (or saunas) for cool showers for the time being instead.
Eat well. Consume a diet with lots of healthy antioxidants. Foods rich in antioxidants can reduce the damage that chemicals called free radicals can have on sperm. Antioxidants are found in fresh vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, green tea, and dark chocolate.
Medication. Discuss all your medications with your doctor to be sure that you’re not taking anything that could influence your sperm quality.
Evening Primrose Oil
Evening Primrose Oil or (EPO) is produced from a wildflower called the Evening Primrose. This oil has been used for years to help with lots of things such as lowering cholesterol, natural labor induction, and fertility. EPO is now also thought to help with a woman’s efforts to conceive. premenstrual syndrome and it may also help to improve the quality of a woman’s cervical mucus.
