It is important to have a healthy body and mind ready for conception. This means reducing toxins and bad habits from your lifestyle. This not only goes for the female but also the male. A man's sperm take months to develop before ejaculation and therefore a toxin free lifestyle is important too.
Most doctors believe in a holistic approach to maximizing a TTC couple's likelihood of conceiving a baby naturally, below are a number of simple steps both partners can take to assist the path to getting pregnant. These steps have been developed taking into consideration generally accepted health professional advice as well as recognized health research.
1. Smoking
According to the Health Insite, (Australian Government initiative) smoking is an important risk factor for the three diseases that cause most deaths in Australia: heart disease, stroke and lung cancer. Smoking has also been linked to cancers of the mouth, bladder, kidney, stomach and cervix, among others. Smokers are also at increased risk of having reduced lung function from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Using tobacco has been linked to a variety of other conditions, such as diabetes, peptic ulcers, some vision problems, and back pain. Smoking in pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth. Smoking can negatively affect sperm and your fertility.
2. Stress Management
Trying to conceive can be a stressful time in a couple's relationship. Stress negatively affects fertility in many ways. Look for ways to reduce stress in your life. Perhaps try yoga, mediation, swimming; look for something you will enjoy and that you feel is relaxing. Most importantly, fun and laughter will help with a happy mental state. Try and create a fun environment for sex, enjoy love making rather than focusing on it as a task.
3. Weight Management
It is important throughout all times in our life to maintain a healthy weight range. So of course being a healthy weight around the time of conception is an important step. Both being underweight and overweight can reduce fertility. Look at a balanced diet with lots of grains, fruit, vegetables and small amounts of organic meat and fish; perhaps seek a dietitian or nutritionist advice. Regular exercise combined with a healthy diet should help to create healthy body and mind.
4. Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol can affect fertility. The Australian National Research advises against drinking alcohol before and during pregnancy. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of miscarriage and abnormalities in the baby. Alcohol can also affect healthy sperm so it is advisable for men to reduce their alcohol consumption.
5. Medication/Drugs
It is best to discuss with your GP or specialist about any medications you are taking that may affect fertility. It is also important to review any over the counter medications you and your partner are taking as they may also affect fertility and sperm count.
6. Other Toxins
Your home or workplace may be potential sites for toxins that may be damaging to fertility and pregnancy. Seek the advise of a healthcare practitioner to identify and sources and provide treatment for the elimination of substances.Workplace and home environment substances could include: pesticides e.g. DDT, dibromochloropropane, chlordecone, ethylenedibromide, chlorpyrifos (Dursban) herbicides e.g. Dioxin fungicides hydrocarbons e.g. vehicle emissions, benzopyrene, PCB chemical solvents e.g. xylene, acetone, trichlorethylene, petroleum distillates, paint thinners and strippers, glycol ethers found in paint, solder vapors toxic smoke from burning synthetic and plastic based compounds textile dyes dry cleaning chemicals lead, mercury, cadmium gasoline, oil-based paints, cleaning solvents, adhesives exposure to radiation can be toxic to a pregnancy.
7. Foods To Avoid When Trying to Conceive
Peas: A chemical in peas have anti-fertility effects for both men and women. Scientists discovered that the birth rate in Tibet was considerably lower than other parts of the world. The cause was found to be peas, a staple food for the population. In clinical trails performed in the USA women were given the chemical (in capsule form) found in peas and pregnancies dropped by 60%. In men sperm rates were slashed by 50% too.
Soy Products: Soy foods contain a natural source of estrogen which can be beneficial but if you are trying to get pregnant any excess in estrogen can cause hormonal imbalances. The result is often interference with ovulation and egg production. It is therefore wise to avoid all forms of soy foods when you are trying to get pregnant.
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