Eat Right to Improve Your Chances of Getting Pregnant

Your body is preparing itself to create a life within. It is obvious that you will have to take great care for your body. A balanced diet is essential. Ensure that your body gets a steady supply of rich nutrients to build a healthy life.

Here are some ways you can ensure essential nutrition while you’re trying to conceive:

Eat Plenty of Greens

Fertility experts have established an inverse relationship between animal protein and fertility. According to a leading health magazine, eating one portion of red meat, turkey, or chicken everyday can increases ovulatory infertility by 33%. One portion of fish or eggs however do not impact ovulation. One portion of green and leafy vegetables and nuts on the other hand protect you from ovulatory infertility. Therefore, ensure that majority of your protein intake comes from vegetables, whole grains, pulses, and little measures of nuts and seeds.

Maintain a Strategic Distance from Bad Fat

Keep a close eye on your intake of trans fats. Eating trans fats normally prompts higher glucose and insulin levels and hurt your capacity to clear sugar from your circulatory system. Higher glucose and insulin levels lead to infertility. Eating trans fats can prompt inflammation in your body, which can delay ovulation and thereby conception. The most widely consumed trans fats in the North American are margarine, shortening, French fries, deep fried chicken, doughnuts, biscuits/cookies, and cakes/pastries. Some foods that are rich in good fats, and can be eaten to build your possibilities of getting pregnant are:

• ·         Olives and olive oil
• ·         Organic eggs
• ·         Avocados
• ·         Crisp, unroasted nuts and seeds
• ·         Coconut and coconut oil.
• ·         Fish

Eat simple Carbs and Avoid Processed Carbs

Polycystic ovary disorder (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. Foods that are rich in processed carbohydrate increase blood sugar and insulin levels which interfere in chances of getting pregnant. Types of processed carbohydrates that you should avoid while trying to get pregnant include:

• ·         French fries and potato chips
• ·         Soda pops, aerated drinks, and bottles juices
• ·         Foods made with white flour
• ·         Beer and wine

Carbohydrates that you can safely consume are vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains.

Take Adequate Folic Acid and Iron

Folate (folic acid) is an essential element for building and replicating DNA. Folate also keeps your homocysteine level healthy; an increase in homocysteine level can increase chances of hypertension and miscarriage. Some foods that contain folate are:

• ·         Lima beans
• ·         Asparagus
• ·         Chickpeas
• ·         Romaine lettuce
• ·         Lentils
• ·         Broccoli
• ·         Spinach
• ·         Oranges
• ·         Beet roots

Nonheme iron, a component of vegetables, legumes, fruits etc, can increase your chances of getting pregnant. Some food you can include in your diet to increase nonheme iron are:

• ·         Spinach
• ·         Lima beans
• ·         Lentils
• ·         Goji berries
• ·         Navy beans
• ·         Avocado
• ·         Potatoes

      Eat healthy, stay happy, and create life :)

Delay in Pregnancy: The Possible Reasons and What You Can Do

There comes this time in life when you feel content and satisfied with your achievements in life. Gratified with your performances as a daughter, sister, friend, colleague, lover, and partner, you decide to take a step towards motherhood. When you finally start trying to get pregnant, more often than not, you turn to ladies who have recently or in the past gotten pregnant. Most of who might end up telling you how it was a big mistake to have waited this long. Form their personal experience and that of others, they convince you that your body (and that of your partner’s) is no longer ideal for pregnancy.

The fact is, your body is ideal for pregnancy for as long as you ovulate. Of course it is harder to conceive as you age. You can still get pregnant when you are in your late 30s and early 40s. Listed

here are five conditions, (some age related, some not) which might delay pregnancy. Read on to find out what you can do to get pregnant.

Polycystic Ovarian Disease (aka FIBROIDS)

The main thing you need to think about fibroids is that they not cancerous. Almost 80% of all ladies have fibroids. There is no specific cause for developing fibroids.  But it happens to run in families. Can you still get pregnant? Women who have fibroids can still get pregnant naturally. However, some women with fibroids may find it difficult to conceive and may need medical help. If you have a history of irregular periods, you may consider a gynaecologist consultation.

How active the sperms are

Your chances of getting pregnant is directly proportional to the quality and quantity of your partner’s sperm.  Age, smoking, drinking, drugs, untreated sexually transmitted diseases, viral/bacterial infections, unnecessary exposure to heat, active infection etc. can have negative influence on sperms.

Gum Diseases

This one may come as a surprise to many. Gum disease in either of the partners is known to delay pregnancy by two months or more. Infection or inflammation of gums is usually a result of poor oral hygiene.  Brush twice daily using a soft-tufted brush and floss after each meal. Change your toothbrush every 3 months to maintain oral health.

Scarring In the Fallopian Tubes

Scarring or blockage in the tubes prevent the egg from reaching the uterus. Blockage could be a result of a previous surgery, ectopic pregnancy, or an inflammatory condition. A few smart lifestyle changes should help you improve your chances of pregnancy. Exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, avoid alcohol and too much caffeine, and take a balanced diet.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition when the tissue from inside the uterus covers the outer surface of the uterus. Women with mild to moderate endometriosis do not require any invention. Though if the condition affects your ability to conceive, your doctor may suggest a drug therapy or a laparoscopic surgery to remove the abnormal tissue. Most gynaecologists prefer drug therapy as compared to surgery because the latter carries the risk of adhesion or scaring.

If you are trying to conceive for a year or more, consult a fertility expert to begin an evaluation. If you are 35 or older, you can consider speaking to your physician after 4-6 months of unsuccessful trial. The chances of getting pregnant vastly depend on the cause of infertility. But the good news is that more than half the couples who undergo fertility treatment in one way or the other eventually get pregnant.

Pregnancy: Planning and Approach

Marriage is a beautiful journey that two individuals start together. Parenthood on the other hand is a team work. It is essential for both partners to collectively decide the best time to get pregnant. Social obligation and peer pressure often seem to influence couples to plan for a baby. However, parenting experts and real moms insist that it is imperative that the couple is prepared emotionally and physically to be parents.  Here are 10 things you should do before you make the big decision.

Have a heart-to heart: Have an honest chat with your partner about major parenting issues. This step is essential while getting ready to get pregnant. Discuss your priorities, concerns, and expectation.

Detoxify: When a healthy sperm meets a healthy ovum, a healthy child is born. Therefore, it is essential for both partners to quit smoking and drinking. Cut down on your caffeine intake and start detoxifying your body.

Eat Healthy: Take plenty of calcium, folic acid, protein, and iron. Healthy eating habit will ensure a healthier pregnancy.

Watch your weight: If you are overweight, chances are that you will develop high blood pressure and diabetes during the course of your pregnancy. You can use the time before getting pregnant to cut the extra inches.

Beat the stress: Researches show that high stress levels delay conception. Find a way to beat the stress.  Read a good book, watch a sit-com, do some yoga or talk to an old friend. Feeling optimistic is the best thing that you can do for yourself before conception.

Catch a movie: During the later stages of pregnancy, it will be difficult for you to sit in the same position for a couple of hours at a stretch. So while you can, have a good time at the movies preferably with your partner.

Savings: You will be out of work for at least 6 months after you deliver. Your household expenditure is also going to substantially increase when the baby arrives. It is wise to keep some money aside for the doctor visits and maternity clothes.

Talk to your doctor: You should start taking vitamins and prenatal supplements 3-6 months before conception per your doctor’s advice. Also, consider genetic testing for relevant family history or if either of you are over 35 years’ of age.

Talk to your mom: Ask your mom, sister, granny, or best friend about their pregnancy experiences. Discuss delivery options, complications, weird cravings and all you need to know. This will prepare you for your time to come.

Do not buy clothes: A couple of months into the pregnancy, you will start putting on some weight and you will have to pack away your almost new clothes till the baby comes out. If you still go on a shopping spree, buy shoes, bags, and accessories.