As a newly married couple, it's likely you and your partner are considering having children. Even if children are only on the cards for much later, it helps to know the factors that play a role in fertility. Most factors that affect fertility and your ability to conceive can be changed or improved over time and boost your chances of falling pregnant quickly and easily.
So, like we say, even if you aren't planning to have children any time soon, reading through these factors will help you to identify the changes you need to work on now, to be able to fall pregnant easier when the time comes.
If you have tried everything, and have even made healthy lifestyle changes and are still struggling to conceive; Wijnland Fertility come highly recommended in the industry and are trusted fertility specialists.
For now, let's take a look at the factors that affect fertility, and how you can improve your chances of getting pregnant:
Reduce alcohol consumption
We say reduce alcohol consumption, but it would, in fact, be preferable not to consume alcohol at all when trying to conceive, and this goes for the female and the male. Females are recommended not to drink more than 4 units of alcohol a week, which is the equivalent to around 4/5 glasses of wine. Binge drinking is incredibly harmful to ovarian health and should be completely avoided. Binge drinking has also been linked to PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), another illness that will hinder your ability to conceive without the use of fertility treatments.
Reduce smoking
It's common knowledge (among most) that women should avoid smoking during pregnancy, however, smoking is not recommended when trying to conceive, either. It is believed, according to studies, that excessive smoking can age your ovaries by ten years; putting a woman in danger of ectopic pregnancy (as the egg moves down the fallopian tubes slower), or can, in extreme cases, affect the development of the fetus.
Eat healthily and get the recommended number of calories in per day
A woman's ability to fall pregnant is 99% reliant on the condition of her health. If you are healthy and in a fit position to carry a baby, it usually isn't difficult to conceive (unless there are hereditary factors involved etc.). Otherwise, falling pregnant shouldn't be a challenge if you are generally a healthy person. One way to get your health in tip top shape is to start eating cleaner. This means avoiding bad fats and foods high in sugar. We don't mean going on a strict diet, we simply mean eating with awareness - making healthy food choices. If, however, you are overweight, it's recommended you lose enough to fall under the 'healthy weight' category in relation to your height, as per the BMI metrics. Being underweight can also affect your ability to conceive, therefore, making sure you are consuming the recommended number of calories per day may up your chances of falling pregnant quicker and easier. The recommended calorie intake for women is 2000 per day, and 2500 per day for men.
Exercise regularly
Exercising regularly is another great way to ensure you are healthy and fit. Over-exercising, however, is not ideal as it can cause irregular ovulation. A good exercise regime includes walking for an hour once a day or running for 20 minutes per day. Light weights and cardio are best, while vigorous exercising even for as little as 5 hours per week is not recommended for females. Over exercising doesn't necessarily affect the man's sperm, however, certain supplements used for vigorous gyming, can.
Reduce stress
Reducing stress is a no brainer when it comes to conceiving or maintaining your health, for that matter. Stress puts strain on our bodies, and we end up functioning at a less than favourable degree. Stress has a great impact on fertility and the ability to conceive. While stress can rapidly reduce your libido due to excessive levels of cortisol (which, of course, is going to hinder your ability to conceive), it also can affect a woman's fertility, and once pregnant could even be harmful to the fetus. It's very important that you find ways to manage your stress effectively and work to minimise the strain you are putting on your mind and body. This is why couples who are struggling to conceive and who are stressed about not conceiving, often don't fall pregnant until they have 'given up' on the idea. Why? Simply because they are not consumed by the idea of it, they are not stressed about an outcome, and the body is in a better, more relaxed state to fall pregnant.
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