Fertility

Health before pregnancy

Both of you must adopt a healthy lifestyle before starting to try to achieve pregnancy:

• Make sure you eat healthy: A balanced diet is important for your overall health (make sure you include lots of green vegetables because they contain folic acid),

• Maintain a healthy weight: If you are significantly overweight or underweight, your chance of becoming pregnant may be adversely affected. Very often it is enough to reduce your body weight by 5% to greatly improve your fertility,

• Stop smoking and / or the use of drugs: There are strong indications that female smokers not only have reduced fertility but also have a higher rate of miscarriage. Smoking during pregnancy has a negative effect on the baby’s development and may be the cause of many childhood illnesses,

• Consu;e alcohol in moderation: The World Health Organization recommends no more than two drinks a week to couples trying to conceive. The effect of alcohol on the woman’s reproductive system is unknown. In men, however, it is shown to affect sperm production,

• Exercise regularly: Walking and moderate exercise are essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

• Reduce caffeine: High caffeine consumption (over two cups a day) has been associated with female infertility, although this is not fully established. You should know that caffeine is present in black tea, cola drinks and chocolates.