BOOSTING FERTILITY

6 Steps to Boost Fertility & Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy

If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, congratulations on the beginning of an exciting journey! Trying to conceive can be an exhilarating and sometimes overwhelming experience. But there’s no better time to take control of the factors that can get your body in optimal shape to conceive and sustain a healthy, happy pregnancy.

In this article the experienced OBGYNs, nurses and obstetrics team at AHA Women’s Health in Dearborn and Lincoln Park list six steps you can take to boost fertility and prepare your body to carry a child. Ideally, try to incorporate these tasks into your daily life at least three months before you start trying to get pregnant!

1. Maintain a healthy weight to boost fertility

Having a normal body mass index (BMI between 19 and 24) is beneficial for any woman’s overall heath. However, a healthy weight becomes even more important when it comes to conception. Being both underweight or overweight can increase a woman’s likelihood of fertility issues.

Although many underweight or overweight women may not have trouble conceiving, ovulation issues are more common in women whose BMI is too low or too high.

2. Increase nutrient intake to boost fertility

In addition to maintaining a healthy BMI, women attempting to get pregnant should also be more conscientious about the nutrient density of their diets.

A well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and dairy will help promote fertility and the normal functioning of the reproductive system. Conversely, empty sugar calories and artificial sweeteners should be restricted.

However, some nutrients that support fertility and pregnancy may not be able to be obtained through diet alone. For example, woman should begin taking extra folic acid at least 3 months before becoming pregnant. Research shows that taking 400 micrograms of folic acid daily reduces the risk of neural tube defects by 70%!

In addition to folic acid, The American Pregnancy Association also recommends that women of childbearing age consume at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily. This can be obtained through low-fat milk, yogurt, dark leafy greens, and even tofu – as well as through supplements.

Other supplements that have been shown in clinical research to improve overall health and fertility are COQ10 (improves eggs and sperm health), as well as multivitamins that include vitamin C, vitamin B complex, zinc, and selenium.

3. Limit caffeine and alcohol to boost fertility

Many fertility experts believe it’s important to monitor and restrict caffeine intake while trying to conceive. They suggest consuming no more than 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine per day while trying to get pregnant, since some research does suggest that excessive caffeine can lead to fertility problems or miscarriage.

Alcohol consumption should also be limited during preconception. Many studies have indicated that heavy drinking (five or more drinks per week) may adversely impact fertility.

Additionally, cutting back on multiple cups of coffee daily or multiple alcoholic beverages weekly before conception will help your body gradually get used to having less so that you don’t have withdrawal when you become pregnant.

4. Start exercising regularly to boost fertility

Even if you’re not a fan of exercise and aren’t exactly “in shape,” it’s never to late to start … especially when it comes to giving your baby a good start in life. Improving your level of physical fitness – even a little bit – will not only make pregnancy, labor, and delivery easier it can also help you conceive as well!

One clinical study found that moderate exercise (such as walking, biking, or golfing) shortened the time it took for a woman to conceive. Obstetricians suggest aiming for 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise 5 or more days of the week, plus two to three days of strength training with a focus on your core.

5. Quit smoking to boost fertility

It is no secret that smoking causes many serious health problems, including heart disease, lung cancer, and strokes. It’s also no secret that quitting cigarettes can be extremely difficult. However, a desire to conceive – and to give your baby the best start in life – can be excellent motivation to kick the habit!

According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, women who smoke don’t conceive as efficiently as nonsmokers. And the risk for fertility problems increases with the number of cigarettes that a woman smokes daily. So, the sooner you quit smoking, the better your chance of conceiving.

6. Address underlying medical conditions to boost fertility

If you are trying to conceive a child, managing any underlying medical conditions is important to ensure that your body has the best chance of conceiving a child and carrying a pregnancy to term.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which affect up to 10% of women, is a common cause of female infertility – causing abnormal ovulation and irregular menstrual cycles. Endometriosis, in which tissue from the uterine lining implants itself outside the uterus, can also cause fertility problems.

Proper thyroid function is also critical for a woman’s optimal reproductive health. If a woman is having difficulty conceiving, evaluation of the thyroid must always be considered. Controlling other existing conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, is also important to prevent serious complications during pregnancy.

Pregnancy & Fertility Doctors | Dearborn & Lincoln Park

A well-balanced diet, moderate exercise, and kicking bad habits not only improves your chances of conceiving a child but also helps ensure a healthy pregnancy.

If you are considering pregnancy – or already trying to conceive – schedule a checkup with our caring women’s health experts at AHA in Dearborn or Lincoln Park. We will discuss your health, conduct any necessary tests, answer any questions you have about getting pregnant … and help you take the steps to improve fertility and ensure the best possible pregnancy and delivery.