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16 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy
No matter where you are right now, getting pregnant is the first step on your own unique journey to parenthood. Here are Huggies 16 top tips to think about when you are trying to get pregnant. Choosing the right name for your baby can be a challenging task. Why not look at our baby names tool at Huggies.com.au for a complete list of girl and boy names from different cultures and walks of life. The ten essential points on how to get pregnant 1. Get the timing right Remember that the day before ovulation is the most important day for intercourse to ensure the freshness of both sperm and egg. If you are unsure of when you ovulate, use an ovulation kit or read up about understanding your cycle. 2. Avoid cigarette smoke 3. Avoid alcohol where possible 4. Avoid over-exposure to caffeine (less than two cups per day) 5. Avoid exposure to chemicals (including those used in the home) Try to limit your exposure to toxins such as cigarette smoke, alcohol, artificial sweeteners and recreational drugs. Chemicals such as solvents, pesticides and many household products should also be avoided. 6. Check medication side-effects with your doctor If you are on medications, review them with you medical practitioner. Check your medicine cabinet at home for drugs that may affect fertility and pregnancy. For men this may include Tagamet for heartburn and Azulfidine for rheumatoid arthritis. Women may need to review antibiotics and painkillers and – under the guidance of a pharmacist or healthcare professional – swap to a more appropriate medication. 7. Maintain a healthy body weight The importance of healthy body weight for women who want to get pregnant has been well documented. The sex hormones produced by men and women are closely linked to weight. It appears that an extra 10% to 14% of body fat can reduce a woman’s chances of conception. (Mayo Clinic, 2001). Obesity in women is a high risk issue in conception and pregnancy; for example, overweight women are more likely to have miscarriages. Likewise, underweight women have a higher risk of premature labour and anaemia. 8. Men should avoid hot baths and saunas Testicles are generally 2°C cooler than the rest of the male body; sperm functions best at 94–96 degrees. So guys, it’s best to avoid spas and saunas and opt for boxer shorts, a sexier look. The popular myth about tight jeans and male fertility is just as said – a myth. 9. Reduce stress and where possible practise relaxation techniques 10. Exercise regularly to promote tissue strength and blood circulation Moderate and regular exercise is important in any healthy lifestyle. Going for a brisk walk, exercising at the gym or playing sport all contribute to general health and wellbeing and ultimately improve chances of getting pregnant by lowering the risks of diseases thought to be caused by inactivity and overweight. Before you began thinking about getting pregnant, you probably thought it was just a matter of jumping into bed, having unprotected sex, and nine months later a baby! And off into the sunset you go. Yes, getting pregnant can be that simple. But like most projects, the best results are achieved when you prepare and plan ahead. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Sarah Pietrzak is a freelance writer and one of Australia’s best known parenting bloggers. She regularly blogs for Huggies.com.au – a first class pregnancy and baby information resource that includes a great baby names tool as well. She is a mother to three small and extremely noisy children, and wife to a tragically neglected husband |
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