Prepare Your Body For Conception
Like anything in life preparation is key when it comes to the conception journey. These steps will help give you the best chance at conception.
Check up time
The first step is to see your doctor for a check up. During the visit your doctor will check your blood pressure, general health and will perform a pap smear if it is not up to date. The doctor should also order some blood tests to check your immunity level to rubella, your iron levels and organ function.
If you have any genetic disorders in the family now is the time to get a referral to a genetic councillor. The councilor look at your family history, your test results and determine the probability of passing on any genetic disorders to your children.
Say bye bye to those bad habits
Now is time to throw away those bad habits such as smoking, alcohol etc. Smoking can decrease your chances of conceiving. Smoking at the point of conception is also bad for your baby as smoking restricts the blood flow to the uterus and can cause low birth weight, premature birth among other complications.
Alcohol can also decrease your chances of conception and an increase the chances of complications and birth defects.
There have been many studies over the last few years with some suggesting it is ok to have a small amount of alcohol during pregnancy and others suggesting none at all. The simple truth is .... is it worth the risk? Most studies say there is no safe level of alcohol during pregnancy so it is best to abstain altogether.
Stop contraception
There is always talk amongst women that there is a need to stop contraception months in advance to get your fertility back on track. This is however a myth. The pill does not affect your fertility and you will be fertile the following month you cease taking the pill.
Change your diet and lifestyle
Most of us eat more processed foods, sugars and fat then is recommended. Now is the time to change your diet and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Increasing your intake of folate and iron rich foods such as -
Strawberries
Blueberries
Corn
Green Peas
Spinach
Tomatoes
Bananas
Avocados
Brussel Sprouts
Oranges
Eggs
Asparagus
.... just to name a few.
It doesn’t take big changes, just decrease your intake of highly processed foods that are high in sugar and fat and increase your intake of vegetables and lean meats.
Lose those few extra kilos
Being more than 10% over your healthy body weight can affect your fertility and make it harder to conceive. Now is the time to exercise and lose those last few kilos. Making sure you’re in top shape not only for conception but also the 9 months of pregnancy.
Vitamins
Now is the time to start taking pregnancy vitamins. Folate is import at the point of conception right through pregnancy to keep you and baby healthy. Folate has been proven to reduce the chances of neural tube defects such as Spina Bifida.
It can take a month or two for vitamins to build in your system, so it’s important to start taking them before you decide to conceive to ensure you boost your levels before conception.
A supplement such as Elevit or Blackmores Conceive Well are perfect to take before conception and Elevit can be take during pregnancy as well.
Relax
You’re now ready for the fun part! Relax and take it easy, it can take up to 12 months for a perfectly healthy women to fall pregnant so try not to put pressure on yourself. Relax and enjoy the journey.
Check up time
The first step is to see your doctor for a check up. During the visit your doctor will check your blood pressure, general health and will perform a pap smear if it is not up to date. The doctor should also order some blood tests to check your immunity level to rubella, your iron levels and organ function.
If you have any genetic disorders in the family now is the time to get a referral to a genetic councillor. The councilor look at your family history, your test results and determine the probability of passing on any genetic disorders to your children.
Say bye bye to those bad habits
Now is time to throw away those bad habits such as smoking, alcohol etc. Smoking can decrease your chances of conceiving. Smoking at the point of conception is also bad for your baby as smoking restricts the blood flow to the uterus and can cause low birth weight, premature birth among other complications.
Alcohol can also decrease your chances of conception and an increase the chances of complications and birth defects.
There have been many studies over the last few years with some suggesting it is ok to have a small amount of alcohol during pregnancy and others suggesting none at all. The simple truth is .... is it worth the risk? Most studies say there is no safe level of alcohol during pregnancy so it is best to abstain altogether.
Stop contraception
There is always talk amongst women that there is a need to stop contraception months in advance to get your fertility back on track. This is however a myth. The pill does not affect your fertility and you will be fertile the following month you cease taking the pill.
Change your diet and lifestyle
Most of us eat more processed foods, sugars and fat then is recommended. Now is the time to change your diet and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Increasing your intake of folate and iron rich foods such as -
Strawberries
Blueberries
Corn
Green Peas
Spinach
Tomatoes
Bananas
Avocados
Brussel Sprouts
Oranges
Eggs
Asparagus
.... just to name a few.
It doesn’t take big changes, just decrease your intake of highly processed foods that are high in sugar and fat and increase your intake of vegetables and lean meats.
Lose those few extra kilos
Being more than 10% over your healthy body weight can affect your fertility and make it harder to conceive. Now is the time to exercise and lose those last few kilos. Making sure you’re in top shape not only for conception but also the 9 months of pregnancy.
Vitamins
Now is the time to start taking pregnancy vitamins. Folate is import at the point of conception right through pregnancy to keep you and baby healthy. Folate has been proven to reduce the chances of neural tube defects such as Spina Bifida.
It can take a month or two for vitamins to build in your system, so it’s important to start taking them before you decide to conceive to ensure you boost your levels before conception.
A supplement such as Elevit or Blackmores Conceive Well are perfect to take before conception and Elevit can be take during pregnancy as well.
Relax
You’re now ready for the fun part! Relax and take it easy, it can take up to 12 months for a perfectly healthy women to fall pregnant so try not to put pressure on yourself. Relax and enjoy the journey.
