7 Things To Avoid When Trying To Get Pregnant

While there is no guaranteed formula for conception, there are things that you can do at home to increase your chances of getting pregnant and also things to avoid when trying to get pregnant.

First and foremost, you should approach conception in a holistic way. In other words, try to get your mental, emotional, and physical well-being to the best level that they can be, as this will help create the best environment for conception to take place. This may mean making some small, positive changes to your lifestyle and perhaps seeking the help of a fertility clinic, like this fertility clinic penrith, to understand more about your fertility.

With that in mind, read on for some tips on things to avoid while trying to get pregnant.

1. Excessive or prolonged stress

A little bit of stress is healthy, but excessive or prolonged stress can temporarily increase the level of cortisol within the body, which can indirectly harm chances of conception. Cortisol is known as the ‘stress hormone,’ and large amounts of this hormone can impact the function of fertility hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone, making it more difficult to get pregnant.

Try to reduce the amount of stress you experience daily by taking time for yourself and asking for support from friends or family members. There is also a phenomenon called ‘fertility stress’, which is characterized by feelings of stress, anxiety, and frustration when trying to get pregnant. If you feel that you are suffering from this, try taking a short break and using this time to reconnect with yourself and your partner without the pressure of trying for a baby.

2. Being underweight or overweight

Being underweight can impact your fertility. This is because those who are underweight tend to have fewer fat cells, and fat cells contain a substance called aromatase, which is vital for producing oestrogen, a crucial fertility hormone.

Conversely, gaining weight to the point of obesity is widely known to impact reproductive health, causing irregular periods, increased rates of miscarriage, and reduced outcomes in assisted conception treatments such as IVF, amongst other detriments.

The key to maintaining a healthy weight is to eat a balanced and nutritious diet and exercise regularly, though not to excess. If you are on medications that cause weight gain, talk to your doctor about the best plan for weight loss moving forward.

3. Consuming junk foods

As mentioned above, consuming a well-balanced and nutritious diet is essential when trying to maintain a healthy weight and increase your chances of conception. Consuming a diet high in junk foods means that your body won’t receive the nutrients that it needs in order to function optimally. This means that the body’s various systems, including the immune, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems, may be negatively affected, impacting the necessary processes for conception.

4. An inactive lifestyle

Regular exercise helps to prevent a myriad of health issues, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and sleep problems. Conversely, physical inactivity and sedentary behavior can increase the risk of health problems and are associated with infertility in women and men.

To avoid a sedentary lifestyle and related fertility issues, try to prioritize some form of movement every day. This could include walking or jogging, resistance training such as weightlifting, or gentle activity such as yoga.

5. Excessive amounts of alcohol

While a small amount of alcohol can help in de-stressing the mind, too much alcohol can actually inhibit conception. In the short term, excessive alcohol consumption can make it difficult for a man to get an erection, making penetration difficult. However, there are also wider health implications for excessive drinking in the long term (such as poor detoxification of hormones, weight gain, poor sleep, and more) that can impact fertility.

Try limiting your consumption to one unit per day or less. If you might struggle with this, consider seeking help from a friend, family member, or support group or talking to your doctor.

6. Smoking

Smoking negatively impacts fertility in both men and women. In women, smoking affects uterine receptivity, making it difficult for an embryo to implant in the uterine lining. Meanwhile, in men, smoking decreases sperm concentration by as much as 19% in comparison to non-smokers.

There is no safe level of smoking, so the best option is to quit altogether if you can. Unfortunately, secondhand smoke can also cause fertility issues, so it is best to avoid environments where cigarette smokers are present.

7. BPAs

There is growing evidence that Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical found in everyday items such as plastic bottles and canned food packaging, can affect fertility. It has been found that BPA is an endocrine disruptor that binds to oestrogen and androgen receptors, disrupting hormone function. It also affects uterine receptivity and may even cause endometriosis-like lesions. 

Avoiding BPAs can be challenging, as they exist in many of the items that we use on a daily basis. However, the newfound awareness of BPA and its impact on health means that BPA-free products are becoming more widely available. If you can, try to avoid plastic or use BPA-free items where possible.

3 Things You Should Do When Trying To Get Pregnant

We’ve talked you through things you should avoid when trying to get pregnant – now let’s move on to the positive lifestyle changes that you can try to support conception.

Understand your cycle

You can only get pregnant when ovulation has occurred, but the period of ovulation can differ from woman to woman. Typically, ovulation happens on day 14 of a 28-day cycle, but some women can ovulate right after their period or just before. To find out when you’re most likely to be ovulating, try tracking physical and mental symptoms throughout your cycle using a diary or an app. Some women notice signs of ovulation, such as clear vaginal discharge, a small rise in body temperature, and breast tenderness. You can also use an ovulation predictor kit, which may sometimes show a faint positive ovulation test. If this occurs, it could be an early indication that you are pregnant.

When you understand more about your ovulation period, try having sex before, during, and after this period to get the best chance of conception. Sperm can survive inside a woman’s body for up to five days, which means that it’s possible to have sex before ovulation but still conceive.

Take a fertility test

Fertility testing is available for men and women and helps you understand more about your fertility status and make calculated decisions moving forwards. Fertility tests can include a transvaginal ultrasound, semen analysis investigation, and an egg counting blood test for Anti-Mullerian hormone. A good IVF clinic in London will offer detailed options for fertility testing.

Supplement vitamins where needed

You can get many vital vitamins and minerals from your diet. However, where this is not possible, supplementation can help top up your levels and give your body the boost it may need to support conception. Many women are encouraged to take folate (vitamin B9) as an oral prenatal supplement, but it may also be wise to consider vitamin D, as well as B12 and iron – particularly if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. Make sure to speak with your doctor before taking any new supplements.

When To Visit A Fertility Clinic 

A professional at a fertility clinic can help you determine any issues with your fertility and provide you with options for progressing on your journey toward becoming a parent. To find a fertility clinic in London or across the UK that can help you in your journey, look online or seek reviews from those who have gone through similar struggles.

I hope you gained some helpful insight into what to avoid when trying to get pregnant. Good luck in your fertility journey!

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