Want to improve your chances of conceiving and having a
healthy, happy pregnancy? Here’s how to get your body in the best shape for
conception.
Healthy Weight
Being
significantly over or underweight can reduce your chances of conceiving. A
healthy BMI is between 20 and 25. If you fall outside the ideal range, try to
lose or gain weight before conceiving. Underweight women are more likely to
have irregular periods and, in severe cases, ovulation can stop altogether. According to a study women with a BMI
between 35-40 had a 23-43% less chance of pregnancy when compared to those in
the healthy range. It’s always a
good idea to stay healthy by working out regularly and eating nutritious foods,
but especially if you’re trying to conceive.
Manage stress
Trying to get pregnant can be stressful. Do your
best to manage and reduce tension
and anxiety, so next time life become too much to handle, take a deep breath
and try to relax. Make stress-reducing activities a priority in your daily
schedule. Be sure to unwind at the end of each day by doing something that
relaxes you and try relaxation techniques like meditation, acupuncture or yoga.
Smoking
If you are a smoker, you
should quit as soon as you are thinking about having a baby. A research says
that if you want to get pregnant, you will not only improve your chances by
quitting, you will also be doing something to protect the health of your child
in the long term.
Heavy drinkers should cut right down or preferably stop
completely. Alcohol not only increases the chance of miscarriage, it also
affects your baby’s development and strips the body of essential B vitamins.
Foods you need for good fertility
A healthy diet is
essential to make sure you get enough of these vital vitamins:
Folic acid
If taken before
conception and in very early pregnancy, it helps prevent birth defects of the
brain and spinal cord. Find out more about the benefits of folic acid here.
B vitamins
Important for
both ovulation and foetal development, these may boost your chances of getting
pregnant if you’ve had difficulty conceiving.
Zinc
One for the men!
It’s needed to make the outer layer and tail of sperm, so a lack of zinc in a
man’s diet reduces his sperm count.
Vitamin C
And another! This
antioxidant may improve sperm count and quality in men who smoke.
