Are you trying to conceive? You want to make sure you are in optimal health before trying to conceive a baby. Getting a physical, health screenings, taking care of weight issues, making diet changes and more can stack the odds in your favor for conception. Read on to find out what you should take care of before trying to get pregnant.
Schedule A Pre-Conception Visit With Your OB/GYN:
See your OB/GYN for a pre-conception visit to get an evaluation of your overall health prior to conceiving. This visit should include STI screening and frank discussion of genetic disorders, problems with previous pregnancies, chronic health conditions and hereditary factors that may cause pregnancy complications. You should also discuss any birth control you have been using and the discontinuation of it.
Make sure to go over all medications you are taking and the safety of them with your doctor. Go over even over the counter medications and herbal supplements to see if they are safe. Ask your doctor about your weight. Being underweight or overweight can affect your chances of conceiving and also lead to pregnancy and childbirth complications. It is best to achieve a healthy weight prior to conception. Have your doctor recommend an exercise and diet plan to help you achieve your target weight.
Visit The Dentist:
Get your teeth cleaned and take care of any pressing dental issues. Pregnancy is no time to be sidelined by toothaches and dental problems. Prevention is key. Have cavities filled and take care of any other procedures you need to. You also want to have a thorough cleaning. Did you know that women with gum disease are four to seven times more likely to have an underweight or premature baby, according to a study in the Journal of the American Dental Association? So get those pearly whites and gums in top condition before conception.
Evaluate Your Diet:
Clean up your diet and eliminate soda, sugary snacks and other empty calories. Start eating fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy. Be sure to review with your doctor the list of foods women should steer clear of during pregnancy. Fish is good but some fish like swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish should be avoided during pregnancy and conception due to high levels of mercury. Fish with low mercury levels like canned tuna, catfish, shrimp and salmon should be limited to 12 oz. a week.
Start Taking a Prenatal Vitamin with Folic Acid:
Start taking a good prenatal vitamin with folic acid. Make sure your vitamin is patented to provide true cellular delivery of nutrients. If not you are wasting your money and can be hurting your health. Most vitamins do not provide cellular delivery of nutrients and essential vitamins and minerals. Do your research and make sure you are taking a vitamin that is doing more than just passing through your body. Ideally you want to begin taking a prenatal supplement at least 3 months prior to trying to conceiving.
Detox Your Body:
Stop drinking alcohol. Since we don’t actually know what a safe level of alcohol is in pregnancy or exactly when during pregnancy alcohol might have its most severe effects,” says Myra J Wick, M.D., medical co-editor of Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. “If a patient is actively trying to conceive, I recommend that she not drink at all,” she adds. The same goes for marijuana and other illicit drugs. If you wouldn’t give it directly to your baby, make sure it’s out of your system before pregnancy.
Stop smoking and this includes your spouse! Smoking cigarettes can detrimentally affect both a woman’s and a man’s fertility. Smoking can damage and lower sperm count and motility. Smoking also can cause early menopause, increase chance of miscarriage, lead to low birth weight, premature delivery and more. Second hand smoke is also detrimental so quit smoking before conception and stay away from second hand smoke.
Studies are conflicting regarding the effects of caffeine on fertility and pregnancy. It has been linked by some studies to miscarriage. If you want to be safe, you should try to limit your caffeine intake to no more than 200 milligrams a day. Remember caffeine is found in more than coffee or tea. It is found in soda, energy drinks, some medications, chocolate and other foods.
Detox Your Home:
Get rid of toxic chemicals in your home. There are many everyday products that people use every day that contain hormone disrupting chemicals. Chemicals that can cause infertility, miscarriage and birth defects. Remember these chemicals cross the placenta and it is best to rid your home of them before you try to conceive. You will want them out of your house after baby, so just get them out now!
Almost all antibacterial soaps contain Triclosan- a hormone disrupting chemical. Dishwasher detergents, laundry soaps, all purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, bleach, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sunscreen, make up, first aid products and more contain toxic chemicals and carcinogens. Do some research and find out what you have in your home that is not safe. Replace these products with safe and healthy solutions.
Get Familiar With Your Body:
Start charting your cycle, you can do this with several online sites that make charting your cycle very easy. I used one with my last pregnancy and took my temperature every morning with a basal thermometer. I also used an ovulation predictor and both were on target and we conceived that month. It is best to know your cycle so you know the optimal time for conception. The better you know your body will make your chances of uniting that egg and sperm more favorable.
Eliminate Stress:
Relax-do not stress about getting pregnant. I know this is easier said than done especially if you are having a difficult time. Try to relax using whatever means works best for you because it will help your mind, body and spirit be at their peak for conception to occur.
If you suffer from anxiety, adhd, depression or other issues you should see a health care professional if you do not already. Pregnancy can make these conditions worse and having professional support is important. Also as I mentioned above you will want to discuss any medication you are taking and the safety of continuation during pregnancy.
Don’t sabotage your chances of conceiving by using a lubricant that can harm or hinder sperm. When choosing a lubricant, choose wisely. Many lubricants on the market can impede sperm and contain spermicides. Using a sperm friendly lubricant like Astroglide TTC™ that is specially formulated for couples trying to conceive. Astroglide TTC™ supports fertility with adjusted pH levels, compatible osmolality and a consistency similar to your own egg white cervical mucus.
Each package has 8 pre filled disposable applicators making supplementing your natural fluids and enhancing your comfort easy. Astroglide TTC™ also contains galactose, which is found naturally in semen, as well as fructose, the main source of energy for sperm. . Astroglide TTC™ is the best value compared to any other competitor on the market with a retail price of $12.99!
Going through the list above will give you the best chance for achieving pregnancy. Do you have any tips to share? Is there anything you did that helped you conceive? I would love to hear them in the comments.
Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine
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