So you’ve decided to begin or grow your family, and you and your partner are becoming concerned and a little impatient with the amount of time it’s taking to conceive. For about half of the couples who are trying, pregnancy occurs within six months. But for some, it can take up to a year or more to become pregnant.
Many factors can interfere with your fertility. But before you jump to the conclusion that there’s something physically amiss that’s preventing pregnancy, you should consider your lifestyle as well as your partner’s. These simple tips by New England Women’s Healthcare may be able to improve your odds of getting pregnant
What you eat, how you deal with stress, and the quality of sleep you get can have a huge impact on your quality of life. These same things that impact your overall health can also play a major role in your fertility and ability to become pregnant. Here are some of the changes you can make to improve your odds of getting pregnant.
Women who are overweight or obese, and women who are underweight, are more prone to irregular menstrual cycles. Once you achieve a normal body weight, your odds of regular ovulation will improve significantly.
First, start each day with a healthy breakfast. Studies show that starting the day with a nutrition boost can improve fertility.
Second, eat your veggies. And consider replacing some animal-based protein sources with plant-based protein sources, such as beans. Studies show that cutting animal based proteins can lower your risk of infertility.
Finally, cut the amount of carbs you consume, especially refined carbs. Studies show that refined carbs may interfere with your menstrual cycle.
Shoot for 30-60 minutes of exercise at least five days a week. Exercises that may improve your odds of getting pregnant include walking, swimming, cycling, pilates, and dancing.
Drinking alcohol in moderation is fine, but cutting out alcohol completely is even better. Drinking alcohol to excess, which is defined as consuming more than eight beverages a week, can interfere with ovulation. Smoking interferes with fertility in both men and women. Tobacco use is associated with a depletion of eggs, and egg viability, as well as prematurely aging your ovaries. Smoking also interferes with the health of sperm.
Pollutants and toxins found in dry cleaning solutions, pesticides, and lead can take a toll on your overall health, especially your reproductive health. Cut back on or eliminate your exposure to these toxins.
Before you begin or add to your family, make sure you’re in good health. Start your journey to pregnancy with a thorough examination at New England Women’s Healthcare. We are a full service practice specializing in treating and managing the health of women. Our full range of gynecological and obstetrical services includes personalized family planning.
To get help on your journey to pregnancy, book an appointment online or over the phone with New England Women’s Healthcare today.
