Natural ways to boost your fertility

JUST about 40 weeks after the merging of sperm and egg, a baby is born if all goes well. But it’s not always that easy. Unfortunately, thousands of couples around the world face the reality every day that sometimes there are variables that negatively affect the natural order of things.

But not only are there various medical technologies to encourage pregnancy, but couples can boost their fertility with several lifestyle changes.

Below, two medical experts give tips that could raise the hopes of childless couples who are anxious to hear the pitter patter of tiny feet.

1. Both parties should get a check-up

Couples who have been trying in vain to have children should do medical tests. General practitioner Dr Srikanth Jaganmohan explained that various things can throw off conception — from a low sperm count to the types of foods that couples consume. In order to make sure your bodies are in tip-top shape, a visit to the doctor should be on your list of priorities

2. Reconsider the things you eat

“Nutrition is very important. The healthier your body is, the more likely you are to conceive and carry a baby to term. A protein-rich diet has a positive effect on fertility, [because they are] necessary for good quality eggs and embryos,” said obstetrician-gynaecologist Dr Michelle Bailey. She recommended that you should replace animal proteins with vegetable proteins, so instead of beef and pork you may want to eat more nuts such as almonds. Additionally, you should eat a lot of salmon, which helps to reduce ovulatory infertility. Other fertility-boosting foods include herbs such as vitex (chaste tree berry), dong quai and green teas which contribute to hormonal balance, circulation, boost the endocrine system and increase progesterone levels, among other things. Dr Bailey said that you should aim for a healthy diet; one that is also very rich in fruits because of the high levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants they contain.

3. Start taking prenatal vitamins

From the time you and your spouse start having baby talks, you should also start taking prenatal vitamins. Aim for about three to six months before conception. Dr Bailey said that these vitamins, which are rich in Vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid, iron, magnesium and zinc, help to maintain fertility health. Folic acid, which is recommended for women trying to conceive (as well as pregnant women) is said to reduce the risk of neural tube birth defects when consumed as part of a healthy diet before and during early pregnancy. It can be found naturally in foods such as broccoli, dark leafy vegetables, papaya and citrus fruits.

4. Maintain an ideal body weight

“If you are overweight (obese), you have to be committed to losing weight, and the same is true if you are underweight. You have to be ready to gain the recommended weight because they both can affect your fertility,” Dr Jaganmohan advised. In the case of women who are underweight, their bodies may not be getting the required nutrients, so ovulation may be infrequent or may not occur at all. Similarly, the menstrual cycle in obese women could also be affected by hormonal imbalances which could prevent ovulation. Obese men will also have hormonal imbalances which can affect the health of their sperm — they may discover that they have a low sperm count and slow-moving sperm.

5. Stop stressing

“Whether it’s stress about conceiving or something completely different, you will have to learn how to relax, because even this can negatively impact your fertility,” Dr Jaganmohan advised. Stress can prevent or delay ovulation by interfering with the part of the brain — the hypothalamus — which regulates the hormones responsible for signalling the ovaries to release eggs monthly.

6. Stay away from coffee/alcohol/hard drugs/smoking

“When you are trying to get pregnant you have to control the amount of coffee, alcohol and other drugs that you put into your bodies,” Dr Jaganmohan cautioned. While a glass of wine should be fine, excessive use of alcohol could cause linked anovulation, a term used to describe no ovulation as well as no periods, lowering oestrogen and progesterone levels, making it difficult for egg implantation, as well as interfering with the endometrial lining. Excessive consumption of coffee can also affect the female hormones. Another equally toxic practice is smoking. Cigarettes not only damage the lungs, but destroy the eggs, which negatively affects the fertilisation implantation process. Smoking can also affect a man’s sperm production.

7. Exercise frequently

Moderate physical activity is very important as part of our daily lives. So jog, walk, swim, do a little running and brisk walking which all have their benefits and don’t require long hours at the gym. Some studies have advised against vigorous exercise while trying to conceive, because your chances of becoming pregnant are reduced.

The experts also recommended having sex frequently and not delaying childbirth, since fertility declines with age; checking with your doctor before taking over-the-counter medication, and understanding your ovulation cycle so you can track and take advantage of the days you are most fertile.