Planning For A Baby

Having a baby is an exciting life changing event and once you’ve decided you’re ready to become parents and start trying to conceive, there is plenty of help and advice readily available. Here are a few things to think about and try:

Healthy Lifestyle

Pregnancy can take its toll on your body, so adopting a healthy lifestyle can not only prepare your body for pregnancy, it can also help speed up your chances of conceiving.

Give up or reduce smoking, alcohol and the amount of caffeine you consume. These can affect both you and your partners fertility. Try herbal teas or caffeine free coffee and drinks.

Keeping to a healthy weight by eating a balanced diet and getting regular moderate exercise can not only aid fertility but can also lessen the risk of pregnancy problems such as high blood pressure and gestational diabetes.

Taking 400 micrograms of Folic Acid is widely recommended for women trying to conceive and up to 12 weeks into pregnancy.

Relax and enjoy time together

Trying to conceive can become quite stressful, especially if it doesn’t happen quickly. Try to live in the present rather than focusing on the end goal and have fun.

Make time as a couple and enjoy other activities together. Having sex regularly every two or three days throughout the month is recommended as having too much or too little can have adverse effects on sperm quality and quantity.

If you’ve struggled to conceive in the past there are different things to try such as using an ovulation test to identify your peak fertile times. Holding off sex for up to 7 days before your peak will let the sperm count built up.