8 Habits that Could Help Boost Fertility

Whether you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a while or have just started thinking about having a baby, it’s good to be aware of the factors that affect fertility. Treating your body right is a key step in maximising fertility. Ideally, both parents should start preconception care months before you are planning to have a baby – good health can help boost fertility and also offer you a better chance of a successful, safe pregnancy. Here are 8 healthy habits that could increase your chances of getting pregnant.

A healthy weight helps to keep your reproductive cycle in balance. You will need to ensure that you’re not underweight or overweight by checking your BMI (body mass index) score. If your BMI doesn’t sit in the right range, it’s best to get back to a healthy weight before trying to get pregnant. You may consider consulting with a medical herbalist about specific dietary or lifestyle changes you may need to make to achieve your goal weight.

When you’re worried about something, your body releases stress hormones that can disrupt your chances of conception. If you’re experiencing high levels of stress, make it a point to relax more often and do activities you enjoy. You can help manage your stress hormones by trying relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation. These techniques have been shown to help reduce stress, anxiety and tension.

Eating a nutrient-rich breakfast every day will help you stay in good health. Your body needs all the nutrients it can get, especially if you’re trying to have a baby. Instead of eating sugary cereals and processed meals every morning, try fertility-boosting foods such as green leafy vegetables and raw juices made from carrots and tomatoes.

Excessive caffeine intake is not good for your physical and mental well-being and could interfere with your fertility. If you often like to drink several cups of caffeinated drinks a day, it’s best to cut back on this habit while trying to get pregnant. You don’t have to completely give up your java fixes – but try to keep your daily caffeine intake to under 200mg (two mugs of tea or instant coffee) to lower the risk to your baby as much as possible.

Drinking too many sugary beverages and not enough water can lead to dehydration, which could have negative effects on your fertility. Make it a priority to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day to stay well hydrated and increase your chances of conception.

Exercise is important for your general health, so it’s good to stay active when you’re trying to get pregnant. However, extreme exercise can affect your menstrual cycle, which could impact your fertility. Make sure to keep your exercise routine easy and fun. Doing light to moderate exercise regularly will help your body stay in good health without compromising fertility.

If you and your partner are smokers, you will both need to quit this habit before trying to get pregnant. Smoking is not only dangerous for general health, but it also has a negative impact on fertility and makes you more prone to ectopic pregnancies.

Sleep helps to regulate your hormones, which is an essential aspect of a healthy reproductive cycle. It’s important to get 8 hours of quality sleep a night, especially when you’re trying to get pregnant. Make it a habit of going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day to normalise your sleep patterns. You can also improve your sleep quality by spending more time in the sunlight, exercising more often, and avoiding screen time before bed.