Preparing for Pregnancy
So preparing for pregnancy sounds a bit mad in the sense quite often it happens before we have even had a chance to think about it! But equally these days many couples have a plan and so in these situations you both have a great opportunity to prepare your bodies to ensure you have the healthiest eggs, sperm and incubator for your imminent arrival.
Across the board it is recommended that both partners should prepare for 3-4 months prior to trying to conceive.
- Come off the pill at least 3 months before planning to conceive and get back in touch with your menstrual cycle. Being aware of your cycle length and when you are ovulating will help you know when you are at your most fertile.
- Your store of eggs was decided before you were born, so while you cannot change the quantity of eggs you can certainly improve the quality of them.
- Eat a well balanced, nutrient-dense, whole food diet, including plenty of fertility boosting foods/nutrients – see table below of required nutrients and sources.
- Drink plenty of hydrating beverages including herbal teas, diluted fruit juices and of course more importantly WATER.
- Sunshine – vitamin D – is also available in pure Cod Liver Oil.
Required Nutrients and Sources:
As you can see from the table above, if you are eating a varied whole food diet then most likely you will be consuming most of the necessary nutrients anyway!
Prenatal Supplements
If you feel that even with a good balanced diet that you would like a prenatal supplement, I would recommend a food based supplement that contains folate or methyl folate rather than folic acid, for example the TerraNove Prenatal Multi
I also recommend Cod Liver Oil – again with no added synthetic vitamins! CLO is a fantastic source of naturally occurring vitamin D and vitamin A, both of which are vital nutrients for all of us. I like and use this product.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
It’s a good idea to work with your doctor or family planning clinic to ensure that you are both free from any sexually transmitted diseases – many of these are asymptomatic but can lead to significant fertility problems.
Chronic Stress
Chronic stress drives up your stress hormone cortisol, interestingly your body uses progesterone to make cortisol…so if you are permanently stressed your progesterone is busy making cortisol rather than doing its other job which is its role in your fertility cycle! Relaxation tools such as yoga and mindfulness are incredibly useful, as are therapies such as reflexology and acupuncture. Most health insurers will allow a certain amount per treatment with registered therapists that can be claimed back each year so it makes sense to make the most of your health insurance if you have it.
Reflexology
Reflexology can encourage a boost in both male and female fertility because it helps to reduce stress levels and improve hormone balance. A typical treatment will include a consultation and a targeted foot massage on both feet to help relax, balance and normalise bodily functions. This may be helpful in preparing for pregnancy by helping to regulate menstrual cycle, improving blood flow to ovaries and uterus in women and testes in men. The biggest bonus is the deep relaxation that you will benefit from both during and after your treatment.
Book a reflexology session with Orla, Natalie or Laura by clicking here.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be used as a stand-alone treatment for fertility support, or alongside assisted reproductive technology such as IVF. Acupuncture has been shown to help support fertility in a number of ways including, balancing oestrogen and progesterone, reducing fertility-blocking stress hormones including cortisol and prolactin, improving egg and sperm quality, encouraging and regulating blood flow to the uterus (helpful in conditions such as thin womb lining, endometriosis, fibroids and PCOS), assisting in regulating the cycle, promoting ovulation, support balance immune function.
If you are interested in book an Acupuncture consultation, I highly recommend Fiona of Fiona O’Farrell Acupuncture.
Thanks for reading,
Orla
