Natural methods of conception
Infertility is when a couple cannot conceive in spite of having regular unprotected sex. Infertility is usually diagnosed when a couple have not managed to conceive after a year of trying. According to Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction, 27.5 million Indians are infertile. This is a growing problem in couples planning pregnancy. So, we are going to help you with tips for natural methods of conception, which has helped our various clients conceive naturally.
There are 2 types of infertility:
Primary infertility
where someone who’s never conceived a child in the past has difficulty conceiving
Secondary infertility
where someone has had 1 or more pregnancies in the past, but is having difficulty conceiving again
Fertility can be complex and multifactorial. Both partners should undergo a thorough medical evaluation to get in mind underlying cause and work on it. In this blog we are going to discuss,
7 tips to improve fertility
Healthy weight
Both underweight and overweight can affect fertility. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can improve fertility (1) .
Reducing Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant present in coffee, tea, energy drinks, some soft drinks, and chocolate. Excessive caffeine intake in women prolongs conception and are at high risk for miscarriages. So women who are planning to conceive should limit their caffeine intake to not more than 200mg per day (1) .
Quit Smoking
Cigarettes contain thousands of harmful chemicals that affect our organs including reproductive organ. These chemicals cause damage to eggs (in women) and sperms (in men). Studies have found that passive smoking is equally damaging. Smoking also accelerates the rate of exhaustion of the ovarian follicular apparatus thereby reducing fertility. The good news is that the effects of smoking on eggs and sperm and fertility are reversible. On quitting it will increase the chance of conceiving and having a healthy baby (1) .
Reduce Alcohol
Alcohol consumption can reduce fertility in both men and women. Research shows that even drinking lightly can reduce the likelihood of conception in women. In men alcohol can impair fertility because it can cause impotence, reduce libido and affect sperm quality. So, it is best to avoid alcohol consumption to improve fertility (1) .
Vitamin D supplement
Researches have shown that would Vitamin D deficiency, reduces fertility. So it is very important to get this checked and take supplementation accordingly.
Iodized salt
Switch to iodized salt over non-iodized salt to improve your iodine status. Iodized salt is enough to meet your iodine requirement per the day. Iodine is a key nutrient. Studies have shown that woman with iodine deficiency is taking longer to get pregnant. (2)
Brazil nut
Brazil nut is a rich source of selenium. Selenium is known to improve the quality of eggs in females thereby improving fertility. Having just one Brazil nut is enough to meet up your daily selenium requirements. (3)
Cashew nuts
A handful of cashews are known to improve sleep quality. Clocking in 7-9 hours of good quality sleep is extremely important when planning pregnancy. Studies have shown sleep deprivation reduces fertility in women.
Chia seeds
Chia seeds are known for their good quality fat content and anti inflammatory properties. 2 teaspoons of chia seeds in a day is what you can start with. Studies have also shown omega 3 fatty acids are known to quality of eggs and hormonal cycle in women thereby improving fertility.
Conclusion
In short, a proper balanced diet should be of focus but you cannot underestimate the positive effect that a good sleep, stress management and regular exercise has on fertility. Check with your health care professional to understand the root cause of infertility, which can be overweight, hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, PCOS, insulin resistance, etc. and work on it at the same time keep the above notes in mind to improve your fertility.
