The decision to expand your family is one of the biggest and most exciting steps to take in life. Not only will there be a new person in your life, but many other factors in your life will change too. Just like anything else, it is important to be as prepared as possible for the arrival of this new child. Most of the time, couples will focus on the materials that the child will need. However, preparing your body is what should be prioritised as this is what will increase the chances of carrying a healthy child. Although there are certain factors such as age and genetics that cannot be controlled, there are many lifestyle changes you can make to ensure the pregnancy is as smooth as possible. It is recommended to make these changes far before you even fall pregnant as your lifestyle choices can have a large impact on egg health and fertilisation. The longer you have been living healthy, the better it is for the overall pregnancy. Here are some top tips from an IVF clinic in Putney on preparing your body for pregnancy.
Bump up the exercise
Aerobic exercise is well known for increasing the antioxidants produced in the body. Exercise resistance bands set for workout is a popular option for aerobic exercise, due to their easily manipulated strength level and variety. This is incredibly important when it comes to trying to conceive as daily, the body generates unstable molecules that can affect egg production. Antioxidants fight this effect and can actually improve the quality of eggs.
Work on your body weight
Carrying excess if amounts of weight can make it a lot harder to conceive. Women who are overweight are less likely to ovulate on a regular basis. This is due to the effect it has on hormones. It can also impact insulin sensitivity which can disrupt egg development. The chances of a miscarriage, high blood pressure and caesarean section increase when the body is carrying excess weight. Women who are underweight face many of the same problems. They can face growth restrictions and can go into labour early which results in a premature baby. Naturally, the body will decide that if the body is not strong enough to support the mother, it will not be able to reproduce. Due to weight gain and loss taking up to a few months to attain, health specialists recommend making your efforts more than 6 months before trying to conceive.
Avoid smoking and stay away from alcohol
If smoking is a habit of yours, abandon it right now. Amongst the vast number of reasons that it is bad for you, it is one of the easiest ways to speed up reproductive ageing. This leads to the fertility window narrowing. Eventually when you do fall pregnant, the amount of oxygen available for the foetus decreases due to the smoke that is inhaled. This can lead to low birth weight and even a miscarriage or stillbirth. Passive smoking should also be avoided as much as possible. Alcohol is another thing that should be abstained from. It sets off free radicals in the body that can be responsible for reducing egg production. Once the baby is in you, it can be very easy to cause damage to it if you are still drinking alcohol. If you are trying to conceive, avoid alcohol entirely as you can be pregnant for weeks or even months without realising. This simple mistake can then cause long term damage.
Reduce stress levels
Sounds easier said than done but reducing stress levels has a huge impact on how the body functions. High stress levels are linked to reduced chances of conceiving which is why it is important to take the right measures to ensure the body and mind is as stress free as you can possibly make it. The smallest changes could make the biggest difference.
Thank you for reading.
