How Often Should You Have Sex
You might have read that having sex too often reduces sperm quality and quantity. Some research has shown that sperm have better quality when collected after a 2-3 day period of abstinence. Studies have also shown that higher rates of conception are seen in couples who have sex every 1-2 days.
Making love once a day or every other day during your fertile window will increase your odds of getting pregnant.
Try to have sex more often, but dont force yourself into a schedule. It could lead to unnecessary stress. Ultimately, the ideal number of times to have sex is what feels comfortable to you.
Here Is Why Its Mandatory To Get A Tetanus Shot During Pregnancy
Written by Debjani Arora|Published : June 16, 2016 2:39 PM IST
There are various tests and precautions that you need to take during pregnancy. One such precautionary measure women are asked to take is a series of tetanus shots during the second trimester of their pregnancy. The tetanus toxoid or TT vaccine is administered during pregnancy with the sole purpose of safeguarding you and your unborn baby from the risk of tetanus. Remember, Tetanus is a life-threatening bacterial disease caused by the toxin of a bacterium called Clostridium tetani.
Why is this considered an important vaccination during pregnancy?
Tetanus affects a person s nervous system and can be fatal. However, vaccinations can help to prevent this deadly disease. The antibodies formed in the body after the vaccination is passed on to the child to give her protection in the womb and also for few months after birth. The tetanus bacteria enter the body through an open wound like a cut, burn, ulcer or due to a scratch or prick. It is always better to take precautionary measures to avert the fatality of tetanus infection.
Tips To Get Pregnant And Healthy
If you want to learn how to get pregnant fast, your diet is one of the biggest changes youll have to make. While dietary change can help to conceive, dont forget that stressing too much about everything, especially conception, can only make the road to parenthood more difficult.
- Consume Antioxidant-Rich Food
Fruits, veggies, nuts, and grains contain beneficial amounts of antioxidants such as lutein, beta carotene, folate, zinc, vitamins C and E, etc., that can help conceive. Antioxidants can fight off free radicals that can otherwise damage the egg cells and sperm.
- Eat Healthy Fats
Theres some confusion about what kind of fat needs to be consumed for health benefits. When youre trying to conceive, it would be best to enrich your meals with foods such as avocados, nuts, fish, eggs, and dark chocolate. These foods contain healthy fats that improve ones health and fertility. Also, if you can eat dairy, always opt for high-fat options rather than low-fat ones.
On the other hand, avoid foods containing trans fats, namely fried and processed foods, baked goods, and junk food in general. They can mess up insulin sensitivity, thus affecting fertility poorly as well.
- Be Careful with Carbs
In general, only 45% of daily calorie intake should come from carbs. This is especially true for women suffering from PCOS trying to conceive. However, its not just the amount of carbs that can make a difference, but the type of carbs as well.
- Introduce More Fiber
- Diversify Protein Intake
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Start Saving Before You Get Pregnant
Soon, youll start socking money away for college, diapers, and all that baby stuff. But even pregnancy itself can be more costly than youd anticipate, says Katina Z. Jones, author of The Everything Get Ready for Baby Book Even if you do a little at a time, just $20 a paycheck, youll feel better knowing you have some type of nest egg set up before you begin trying to conceive. And if you have money left over, you can always spend it on nursery furniture or other baby expenses.
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Get Help To Stop Smoking
Smoking affects fertility in men and women. If you stop smoking now it will improve your chances of conceiving. Smoking has also been shown to damage the DNA of your baby. During pregnancy smoking is the biggest risk factor for serious complications in pregnancy that you can change.
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Check You Have Had Your Mmr Vaccination
MMR stands for Measles, Mumps, Rubella. Rubella is rare, but can be very dangerous to a babys development, especially during the early stages of pregnancy.
The MMR vaccination will protect you and your baby. It is normally given to children in two injections before they reach 6 years of age.
If you have not been vaccinated or are unsure whether you have been vaccinated call your GP practice to see if they have a record. If you have no record of them, make an appointment to get vaccinated. Even if you had them before getting them again is not harmful.
Are There Any Foods I Should Avoid When Trying For A Baby
Monica Moore, founder of Fertile Health, LLC
Some foods are not recommended when attempting pregnancy because they can contain Listeria, a bacteria that can cause an infection that can be harmful to the baby. Any cheese product containing unpasteurized milk can be a vehicle for listeria, as can prepared salads that you might find in a supermarket. Also, raw foods can contain bacteria or parasites that are also harmful and should not be ingested. Women should also avoid fish that are high in mercury, like tuna and swordfish. Any raw fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed as well.
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Get Rid Of Your Contraception
While it may seem obvious that you need to stop using birth control if you want to get pregnant, quitting birth control isnt always as simple as leaving the condoms in the drawer.
If youre on the pill, you may not ovulate for several weeks after you stop taking it, and women who stop receiving hormonal birth control injections may not resume ovulation for many months.
Either way, its a good idea to wait until youve had two regular menstrual cycles before you try to conceive, so you can establish a more accurate due date.
If youre thinking about having a baby, come in and see us here at Womens Health Center in Wichita, Kansas. Well help you every way we can!
Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins
Its never too early to start taking prenatal vitamins. Among other important nutrients, they contain folic acid, which numerous studies have found to be critically important for baby at every stage of developmentplus, it helps promote ovulation, encourages fertilization and supports early embryo survival, says Audrey Gaskins, ScD, an instructor of nutrition and dietetics at Harvard Medical School. Your ob-gyn can prescribe a prenatal vitamin or offer recommendations for some good over-the-counter options. Foods like strawberries, spinach, beans and orange juice are also naturally high in folate.
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Learn Your Family History
Find out how easily your female relatives got pregnant and if there’s a family history of hereditary medical conditions. “If you or your partner have Jewish, French Canadian, or Hispanic ancestry, for example, or a family history of Down syndrome, you may want to seek genetic counseling before trying,” says Steven R. Bayer, M.D., a reproductive endocrinologist at Boston IVF fertility clinic in Boston. “It’s much better to find out if you’re both carriers of complications like cystic fibrosis before you conceive.”
Whats The First Step A Fertility Specialist Will Take If Someone Cant Conceive
Typically, a fertility specialist will begin by assessing your complete medical history. Theyll also want to review any prior fertility testing or treatment that youve received.
As an initial step, youll also establish what your goals are for seeking fertility care. For example, some people wish to be as proactive as possible, while others hope to avoid medical intervention. Other goals may include genetic testing on embryos or fertility preservation.
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Take A Folic Acid Supplement
Even if you do little else to prepare for pregnancy, taking a folic acid supplement is essential. Taking 400 micrograms of folic acid every day starting at least a month prior to conception and continuing through your first trimester provides significant protection against serious birth defects, including spina bifida.
Make A List Of The Positives
Literally, write down everything that you are grateful for. If you can stretch yourself, also write down the things you are able to do now without the added responsibility of a new child. Really try to appreciate your life just as it is right now. It may sound cliché, but it really does work. So much of our obsession and sadness comes from the belief that if only I had a child, my life would be complete.
Believing that your life is wonderful and is unfolding exactly as it should releases you from being stuck in thinking life will not go on if you dont get pregnant. This doesnt mean that you stop hoping for a child, it just means your life is full of other amazing things that you have the time right now to really focus on and appreciate.
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Try To Maintain A Healthy Weight
Your BMI is a measure that uses your height and weight to work out if your weight is healthy. The ideal BMI before conception is between 18.5 and 24.9.
Being overweight
Having a high BMI can reduce your fertility and increases the risk of complications in pregnancy. Being overweight can also contribute to fertility problems in men .
If you have a very high BMI you may feel like it is an impossible task to reach the healthy range and you may have been struggling with your weight your whole life. Try not to lose heart, bringing your BMI a few points down the scale can make a big difference.There is professional support available if you need it.
Being underweight
If your BMI is in the underweight range it may affect your fertility and cause health problems during pregnancy. It may help to put on weight gradually with a healthy diet. There are many reasons why a person may be underweight. You GP can give you help and advice.
Healthy Body Healthy Pregnancy
Before trying to get pregnant, you should try to be as healthy as possible. In fact, most doctors will recommend that you make an appointment with your obstetrician before youre pregnant.
At this preconception visit, youll talk about existing health problems and get screened for genetic diseases. You can also address other health concerns you might have.
Your doctor might recommend that you make lifestyle changes before you get pregnant. These might include:
- getting to a healthy weight
- improving diet/exercise habits
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As We Are Trying For A Baby Should We Increase Our Frequency Of Intercourse Can Too Much Intercourse Damage The Quality Or Quantity Of The Sperm
Monica Moore, founder of Fertile Health, LLC
Most clinicians advise that men with normal sperm count should increase the frequency of intercourse around the woman’s fertile window to increase the chance that fertilization takes place. Although an increase in intercourse can decrease the volume and total number of sperm, the level seems to remain high enough to fertilize the egg and the quality of the sperm might even be improved as opposed to longer intervals between sperm production.
Be Mindful Of Sperms Temperature When Trying To Get Pregnant Fast
Sperms optimal temperature is 94 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot tubs and extra hot showers may help set the mood, but are no-nos for your partner if youre trying to conceive quickly. Tight-fitting clothing can also raise the temperature of the testicles and affect sperm count, as can eating too much soy foods, according to the Human Reproduction journal.
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Avoid Toxic Substances And Environmental Contaminants
Avoid harmful chemicals, environmental contaminants, and other toxic substances such as synthetic chemicals, metals, fertilizer, bug spray, and cat or rodent feces around the home and in the workplace. These substances can hurt the reproductive systems of men and women. They can make it more difficult to get pregnant. Exposure to even small amounts during pregnancy, infancy, childhood, or puberty can lead to diseases. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from toxic substances at work and at home.
Get Your Partner Involved
- Stay fit and healthy Your partner should try to be as active as possible, reduce alcohol, stop smoking and eat a healthy diet.
- Use sperm-friendly lubricantMake sure any lubricant you use isn’t ‘spermicidal’ or toxic to sperm. You can buy ‘sperm-friendly’ lubricants that are specially formulated.
- Keep testes coolYour partner should wear loose underwear and avoid hot baths. Consistent or prolonged ‘heating’ of the testes can reduce sperm quality.
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Adding Vitamin B To Your Diet
As youd probably assume, because vitamin B comes in eight forms, youll be hard-pressed to find a food that will tick all the boxes. That said, there are some food sources that deliver multiple types of B and, consequently, many of the benefits of vitamin B.
Some of the best whole-food sources of B vitamins include:
Beyond that, if you think you need more of a specific B vitamin or if a doctor tells you to up your intake you should dig into that particular form. To help there, we did a roundup of all of the best food sources of different types of vitamin B.
Diet gives you a great place to start when it comes to getting the nutrients you need. But talk to your doctor, too, especially if youre experiencing persistent fatigue or you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet.
If you have a malabsorption disorder, you are more likely to be deficient in B vitamins. If you are on certain medication, such as Metformin and PPIs , you may also have a higher risk of a B12 deficiency. If you are affected by either or not getting enough of any of these key nutrients, you can absolutely get benefits from taking a vitamin B supplement.
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Foods To Avoid When Trying Get Pregnant Naturally
Eating healthy directly supports your health and wellness while eating poorly reduces your health and wellness. To maximize your health and wellness and ultimately your fertility wellness, there are nutritional items you should avoid to increase your chances of getting pregnant naturally.Here is a list of things to avoid or at least limit your consumption:
Caffeine Caffeine reduces calcium absorption, and some research shows that it lowers your fertility by approximately 27%.
Processed Foods These contain pesticides, artificial hormones, and preservatives, which collectively have a negative impact on your health and wellness.
Red Meat High consumption of red meat can lead to endometriosis, which can negatively affect your efforts to conceive.
Soy Products Soy consumption by men has been connected to lower sperm counts.
Want to Know More?
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Switch Up Your Sex Positions
Some research suggests that missionary is best for conceiving, but the data isn’t conclusive. “There’s no doubt that some are more comfortable,” Dr. Pagidas notes. “Just do what feels right so you’re more likely to keep up a consistent routine.” Also, you don’t need to elevate your legs afterward. Says Dr. Jensen: “It does not make one bit of difference in conception.”
Don’t Feel You Have To Abstain From Sex
You may have been advised to wait a few days between sex because males need time to build up sperm. “That’s not true,” says David Ryley, M.D., a reproductive endocrinologist at Boston IVF fertility clinic and clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School. “Ejaculation affects seminal volume, not the concentration of sperm. The concentration is more important and not influenced by the frequency of sex.” That said, having sex too often can lead to burnout, so use your judgment wisely.
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We Are Planning To Try For A Baby Are There Any Dietary Supplements That My Partner Should Be Taking
Monica Moore, founder of Fertile Health, LLC
We always recommend that our patients obtain their nutrients from food, whenever possible, instead of relying on supplements. Although some studies have shown that men’s sperm parameters might be improved by supplementing with a combination of certain minerals and anti-oxidants, whether or not this improvement translates into increased pregnancy rates is unclear in the literature at this point. What is known, though, is that lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking or any recreational drugs, and minimizing alcohol intake can improve the quality of sperm.
What Are Your Chances Of Getting Pregnant Every Month
Generally, a woman whos trying to get pregnant has between a 15% and 25% chance of doing so each month. Despite those odds, most couples conceive within the first year of trying.
Whether you will conceive depends on several factors such as your overall health, age, your and your partners fertility, and having sex at the right time during your cycle.
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