How to Improve Chances of Getting Pregnant
Some Easy Ways to Increase Fertility & Conception Rates
Aug 18, 2009
It is the nightmare scenario for many couples. Having decided to get pregnant and dispensed with contraception, the months fly past with no result. After months - years even - with no success, it is no wonder that people become very anxious and upset. The whole fertility issue becomes the focal point of life and depression can very easily set in.
However there are some simple but important lifestyle changes that can be made by both parties to help improve the chances of conception.
Natural Ways of Increasing the Chances of Conceiving
One of the biggest problems faced by women is that the "fertility clock" is ticking away remorselessly. Vita West, well known acupuncturist and midwife, counsels that those women who are already approaching their 40s should go straight for IVF, since there is a limit to the number of eggs that can be produced.
The IVF process is very demanding and can take its toll on the body. All would-be parents, whichever route they are taking, can benefit from the following suggestions. They cover three main areas:
- Stress Reduction
- Diet and nutrition
- Complementary Therapies
Why Stress Reduction Improves Chances of Conception
The hormones are responsible for governing all of the bodily processes, fertility and conception included. When the body is in peak condition, the hormones that govern the menstrual cycle create conditions that are conducive to conception.
However, when a woman is experiencing stress overload, the hormonal system responds by shutting down this process - and in some cases the menses will cease altogether. This is nature's way of ensuring that a woman becomes pregnant only when the conditions are right.
So it follows that one important way of improving chances of conceiving is to reduce stress levels. This may mean making lifestyle changes such as reducing working hours, cutting back on traveling time etc.
What Nutritional Changes Help Conception?
People can be malnourished without realizing it. This can be because our diets have changed over the last few decades.
- Fast food may not contain the right nutrients so home cooking is preferable.
- Many have cut all of the Omega 3-6-9 fats out of their diet,. incorrectly believing that all fat is dangerous. The best source of such oils is through eating oily fish, nuts, seeds, avacados and olive oil.
- It may be due to gut dysbiosis - a condition where intestinal yeasts and anaerobic bacteria are proliferating in the gut often linked to IBS symptoms. This stops the gut absorbing nutrients effectively.
Dry skin and cracking lips are both signs that the body is not getting enough EFAs (essential fatty acids) - the active component of fish oils. Eating oily fish is an easy way of increasing EFAs, and this includes salmon, mackerel, tuna, pilchards and sardines - fresh (not tinned) whenever possible. Olive oil is a great source of Omega 9 oils and vegetarians can also opt for flax seed oil. Those who don't like oily fish should take a daily fish oil supplement - salmon oil is highly regarded.
It is a good idea for both parties to take a good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement and those with dysbiosis should take probiotic supplements to rebuild intestinal flora as this helps the gut to functional better.
Complementary Therapies for Aiding Conception
Complementary therapies can be used both to improve fertility and to reduce stress levels, thereby bringing the hormonal levels into a better state of balance. Acupuncture is often used to improve fertility whereas treatments to promote relaxation include massage, reflexology and homeopathy.
Note of Caution
It is always best to consult a qualified professional rather than self diagnose. Undiagnosed infertility needs to be treated by a trained gynecologist who can identify underlying causes.
Reference
Zita West, Acupuncture in Pregnancy & Childbirth, Pub: Churchill Livingstone
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