Preparing your body for pregnancy
Most potential parents planning to conceive a baby want to give their child the best possible start. When both the woman and her partner make steps towards preparing their bodies for a possible pregnancy (both physically and emotionally), the chances of conceiving a baby naturally, and relatively quickly, are increased.
A healthy body for the woman can help her create and release a healthy egg. A healthy body for the man can increase his production of healthy, vigorous sperm that are more capable of fertilising the egg. When these factors combine, both parents are more likely to produce the healthy beginnings of a baby, as well as hopefully decreasing the woman's chances of a
miscarriage.
For the woman, having her body in good health before conception (and maintaining this approach during the pregnancy), can contribute to providing a healthy environment for your new baby to grow and develop in. This is particularly important in the early weeks, especially when you consider that most women do not realise they are pregnant until their baby is about 40 to 60 days old inside the womb. By this stage, the baby already has many of their vital physical organs and features. You can read more about this early growth and development of your baby
here.
Pre-conceptual health for both potential parents also needs to take into consideration excess stress. While day to day life can bring about normal, manageable stresses that do not necessarily impact on your physical health, excess stress can affect the physical and mental health of the human body and its fertility. Excess stress can delay (and in some cases stop) the release of an egg for the woman, and decrease the production of sperm for the man. Therefore, dealing with stress or delaying conception in times of great stress, may need to be considered. This is discussed in
stress and relaxation.
Your emotional attitude and how you are feeling about having a new baby may also play a role. While there is no research to support this, it is thought to help if both parents are feeling positive about trying to have a baby. It is amazing how many couples will look back in retrospect, after conceiving their baby, to notice how a shift in their desire to want a new baby (from either or both parents), resulted in a pregnancy during the weeks soon afterwards. Women will also talk about 'unintentional' or 'unplanned' pregnancies when they were feeling 'clucky', or perhaps having a subconscious desire to have a child (despite their conscious use of contraception).
With all this in mind, you can see how preparing your body both physically and emotionally (for both parents) are important considerations. You may be able to make changes to your lifestyle well in advance (around 3 to 6 months before you intend to conceive), or you may just start during the time you are trying. Bear in mind that a healthy, fertile couple have about a 25% chance of conceiving a baby each month, taking on average around 6 months to conceive. Therefore, if conception does not occur one month, or after a few months, you may decide to 'have a month off', to take the pressure off or to indulge in things you have been avoiding for a while (like alcohol and/or coffee).
If either potential parents are going through a period of being unwell (such as a viral illness), you may consider delaying your attempts until the following month (or until you are feeling well again). If you have an ongoing health condition (such as
diabetes or
epilepsy ), or you are taking regular medications (such as anti-depressants), you should consult with your doctor about your plans to conceive a baby, usually at least 3 months before you start trying. This is discussed in more depth later in this class in
health conditions for the woman.
Any preparations you intend to make will generally entail working towards having a well-balanced nutritious diet, reducing your stress, getting plenty of rest, as well as regular, physical activity. It also includes avoiding any vices (such as drinking alcohol and coffee, smoking and/or taking recreational drugs). For many parents, any positive changes in their lifestyle will continue during the pregnancy and after their baby is born. If you are able to continue what you started, you are more likely to stay well and healthy as you grow older, to see your potential child grow (and possibly your grandchildren!)