If you are planning to try for a baby in the near future, you will want to do everything you can to optimise your chances of conception and prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy. With some simple lifestyle adjustment and a bit of forward planning you can make sure you are in optimal shape. Take a look at the following advice from a fertility clinic in London to find out more.
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Barrier methods such as condoms may be used right up until the point you start trying, however if you are using another form of contraception you may need to plan ahead. If you have an IUD / IUS or hormonal implant you will need to arrange to have this removed, fertility may take a few weeks to return to its usual levels afterwards. People who take the contraceptive pill should ideally finish the pack they’re on before stopping and should be aware that fertility may be impacted for 2-3 months after doing so. Those who have the hormonal injection should be aware that their fertility could take longer to return, up to a year in some cases.
Lifestyle Adjustments to prepare your body for pregnancy
You should consider adjusting your lifestyle before you even start trying to get pregnant to ensure that your body is prepared. If you smoke or drink, you should aim to stop before you start trying as these factors can affect foetal development and increase chances of miscarriage. You should also aim to manage your weight through diet and exercise as being over or under weight can alter your menstrual cycle and decrease fertility. Stress is another factor which can negatively impact your chances of conception as it increases cortisol levels which can impact libido and affect ovulation.
Optimal Nutrition
If you don’t already, you should start eating a diet rich in vitamins and minerals several months before you start trying for a baby. This will give your body time to correct any nutritional deficiencies you may have. It is particularly important to include foods which contain folic acid such as citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables, as this helps your body create healthy new cells and can protect against developmental defects. You can also take a pregnancy supplement containing folic acid if you are worried about getting enough from your diet alone.
Postpartum Belly Binding
You should also think of how to take care of your body after the pregnancy. After childbirth, your body has undergone drastic changes that it may take time to completely heal and recover. A traditional practice that a lot of women do is postpartum belly binding which involves wrapping a cloth tightly around the abdomen after childbirth. The purpose of belly binding is to provide support to the muscles and organs in the abdominal area, which can be weakened or stretched during pregnancy and childbirth. However, it’s important to note that it should be done carefully and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
As well as preparing your body for pregnancy you should also consider other areas of your life too, here are 5 things every couple should do before they start a family. And if you are still unsure if you want to try for a baby or not then here are some subtle signs that you’re still not ready to have kids yet that might be worth looking at.