How to Tell if You're Pregnant

How Soon Can You Tell if You're Pregnant?

How to Know for Sure

How to Tell if You're Pregnant

Answering the burning question of whether you are pregnant or not can be easy or difficult depending on how far along you are, and also how well you know your own body. Many women can tell if they are pregnant within 2 or 3 weeks of conceiving, and some women know a lot sooner -- within a few days, even. It really depends on your ability to pick up on the changes occurring within your body and how sensitive you are to them.

Of course, you'll be able to find out for sure once you have missed your first period by doing a pregnancy test. Don't be tempted to take a pregnancy test before this point, though -- taking a pregnancy test too early will yield inaccurate results.

What Causes Pregnancy Symptoms?

If you know your body well, you may notice some subtle (or not-so-subtle changes) in the first few weeks of pregnancy. These are all caused by the changes in your hormone levels.

The pregnancy hormones rushing around your body will progressively increase the further down the road of pregnancy you are and so will the strength of the potential symptoms. You can go from feeling a little nauseous to being frequently sick in a matter of weeks. Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin hormone, or hCG, is the hormone that tells your body to increase progesterone levels and this is what makes your periods stop, as well as being responsible for most of the "symptoms" of pregnancy.

Over-the-counter pregnancy tests are testing for hCG in your urine and are very reliable because hCG levels are so much higher in pregnancy than when we are not pregnant -- in fact, they double every day.

The Early Signs of Pregnancy

Sometimes a confusing factor when trying to determine if you are pregnant is that all of the symptoms of pregnancy can be symptoms of other conditions. So, detecting the very early signs of pregnancy without having done a test can be tricky, especially if it is your first pregnancy. Once you are on to pregnancy 2, 3 or 4, you will more than likely recognise the signs quite quickly.

There are several early signs that can tell you that you may be pregnant. The most obvious is missing your period or having light spotting instead of a proper period.

Pregnancy is the number one reason for missing your period.

At the point of missing your period you are probably 1-3 weeks pregnant unless there is something else that could be interfering with your menstrual cycle (see below).

It can be possible to know you are pregnant even before that first missed period. On a personal note, I knew I was pregnant within 2 weeks of conceiving on each of the three occasions I've been pregnant.

More tired than you've ever felt in your life!

More tired than you've ever felt in your life!

How to Tell if You're Pregnant: 13 Early Signs and Symptoms

1. Extreme Tiredness

If you're trying to determine whether the feeling of being tired is one of the early pregnancy symptoms you are experiencing, then be aware that the kind of tiredness you'll feel within the first 4-6 weeks of conception is probably unlike any kind of tiredness you've felt before. You will feel exhausted and will more than likely be falling asleep on the sofa and will be wanting early nights and afternoon naps for no apparent reason.

2. Feeling Sick (Nausea)

Feeling nauseous is often one the first signs that you may be pregnant. The way to tell whether this is nausea caused by pregnancy, rather than a virus, is that the nausea tends to last all day and also tends to get increasingly worse over a period of weeks. In the early weeks you may just feel a bit sick, then later on it may progress to actually vomiting.

3. Metallic Taste in Mouth

The experience of constantly having a metallic taste in your mouth is a pregnancy sign that I am familiar with. It's difficult to describe, but your mouth feels like you have been sucking on a coin. It's a pregnancy symptom that is very common and is unmistakable (unless you have actually been sucking metal . . . if so, that's a very weird thing to do!)

4. Aversion to Certain Foods and/or Drinks

Do you suddenly dislike the taste of foods and drinks you used to love? Do they make you feel nauseous? If so, this is another common pregnancy symptom that many women experience. Common culprits are tea, coffee and alcohol.

5. Heightened Sense of Smell

Related to the point above (taste and smell are very closely linked), a heightened sense of smell is another common pregnancy symptom. Are you quite suddenly starting to feel nauseous from everyday smells such as soap, cooking or perfumes? This can be another early pregnancy sign to watch for.

6. Breast Changes

One of the first things most women notice and that causes us to suspect pregnancy is changes to our breasts. These changes can take on many forms, including prominent blue veins in the breast tissue. Some more of the common breast changes caused by pregnancy are listed below:

Enlarged nipples

Darkened nipples

Sore breasts

Swollen breasts

Enlarged breasts

7. Feeling Dizzy and Light-headed

Another extremely common sign of pregnancy is having bouts of dizziness and/or light headedness. If you've been experiencing these sensations, have had unprotected sex recently and are sure you don't have a virus, then this could well be an early sign of pregnancy.

8. Increased Urination

Need to pee more often than usual? Waking up in the night to urinate when you normally wouldn't? These are both hints that you might be pregnant.

9. Light Spotting (Implantation Bleeding)

This is one of the least frequently experienced pregnancy symptoms, but it is something that you should take note of if you are wondering how soon you can tell if you are pregnant. Implantation bleeding is different from a normal period. It will usually last between 1-3 days, and will be intermittent spotting, rather than the constant flow of menstruation. Most women who have had implantation bleeding also say that it's more brown in color, rather than red.

10. Feeling Different

How can we put our finger on a sense of "feeling different?" If you just feel different inside for no apparent reason, this can be a sign of pregnancy. I have found it impossible to find any words that explain this feeling. I'm pretty certain that even if I could, my feeling different would be different from your feeling different. If you have a feeling you can't put your finger on, but you sense an internal change, then this could be an early sign of pregnancy.

11. Feeling Emotional

Keep bursting into tears or getting cross and snappy with people around you for no apparent reason? Check to make sure it's not a full or new moon and that it's not your normal PMS -- it could be a sign.

12. Missing Your Period

I mentioned this earlier but I'll say it again. Missing your period is the most obvious and clear sign that you are pregnant. If your period hasn't arrived on time, then it's time to take a pregnancy test.

13. Quick Weight Gain

Have you noticed that you can't do up your trousers or they feel a little more snug than usual? Putting on 4-8 pounds within a short time frame (a week or two) is another common sign of pregnancy to watch out for.

A Personal Note

Some of these pregnancy symptoms are hard to quantify, especially when it's something like "feeling different." But, you may well feel different somehow even though you can't explain how you feel different.

In my first pregnancy, the earliest signs for me were the enlarged nipples and breasts and breast tenderness as well as feeling dizzy, sick and extremely tired. And yes -- I did feel different!

During my second pregnancy, the most noticeable early symptoms were a metallic taste in my mouth, an aversion to drinking tea and a heightened sense of smell. This last symptom got worse and worse throughout my pregnancy and it became difficult to manage all of the smells that made me either feel sick or actually be sick. Smells I couldn't handle were anything soapy such as body wash and deodorant, perfume, aftershave and alcohol. There were a lot more, but these were the main ones.

Pregnancy tests are very reliable when taken during the right time.

Pregnancy tests are very reliable when taken during the right time.

Pregnancy Testing

Because early pregnancy symptoms can be confused with other illnesses or conditions, I would always recommend buying yourself a test. These are very accurate from the point that your period is due, and will take the guesswork out of knowing if you are pregnant or not.

Pregnancy tests can be really expensive, but you can shop around as the prices will vary greatly. I bought a pack of three tests from a pound store (99c store) and they worked just fine. All the tests work in the same way by testing the hCG levels in your urine.

It's always advised that you test your first urination of the day. This is because the urine is stronger and you will get a quicker result. Testing the weaker urine that you produce during the day may not give you the real result -- it may tell you that you're not pregnant when in fact, you really are (this actually happened to me).

If you find you have a positive result, then it's time to book a doctor's appointment. The doctor may decide to do another pregnancy test to confirm your result.

For those who have missed a period and got a negative pregnancy test result, follow the link to learn about the most common reasons behind this.

Fertility Resources

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It goes without saying that if you have had unprotected sex at any time during your menstrual cycle you could well be pregnant, even if it was your first time and even if your partner "pulled out." You could also be pregnant if your contraception failed. Remember, no form of contraception offers a fail safe 100% guarantee. If you're worried about pregnancy because you haven't taken precautions, you might want to read the real story about how to avoid pregnancy.

Other Reasons for Missing Your Period

Menopause

Underweight

Overweight

Very high levels of exercise

Anxiety

Stress

The morning-after-pill

Starting a new birth control method

Illness

Hormone imbalance

If you suspect one of these reasons may be disrupting your normal menstrual cycle and you have a negative pregnancy test then you should speak to a health professional.

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How to Conceive Twins - Increase Your Chances of Having Twins

How to Conceive Twins - 

Increase Your Chances of Having Twins 

How to Have Twins Naturally

Did you know that having twins is not genetic? People have always said that twins skip a generation and this is common talk. But, it's not true!

Whether you would think twins are the cutest thing or you would be exhausted taking care of two infants; knowing how to conceive twins will help you. You can either use these ideas to your advantage or use them to avoid twins. It is up to you!

Twins only occur naturally in 1 out of 89 pregnancies. Of course, if you really wanted twins, you could just do in vitro fertilization. However, there are actually some natural things that can increase your chances of conceiving twins.

How are Twins Conceived?

Identical twins are much less common that fraternal twins. Identical twins are the ones that look exactly alike and are of the same gender. These twins develop when one egg and one sperm are joined and fertilized. This fertilized egg then splits into two and develops into two embryos and then babies. These babies end up with exactly the same genetic material. The incidence of identical twins is still considered a medical miracle.

Fraternal twins typically look only as similar as siblings would look if they were not twins. These are the twins that can be the same gender or different genders. This is because they are basically just two babies born on the same day. They form when two different eggs are fertilized by two different sperm. This is the more common occurrence of twins at a 2 out of 3 rate.

So, the trick to conceive twins is typically to produce and release more eggs at the same time. The tips below will help you to achieve this. If you plan to use these tips or have already successfully conceived twins, you may want to read "11 Things you Didn't Know About Twin Pregnancies."

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Vitamins & Supplements to Increase Chances of Twins

Folic Acid is one of the many B Vitamins; specifically B9. Most mothers who are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant, are told by their doctors to make sure they are getting enough Folic Acid. Getting enough of this vitamin can help prevent neural tube defects, like Spina Bifida.

Taking a Folic Acid supplement can double your chances of conceiving twins. The United States National Academy of Sciences has set a daily lower limit of 400 micrograms and an upper limit of 1000 micrograms for adult women.The upper limit is specified for intake of synthetic forms to avoid toxic effects from an excess amount. However, there have been no know negative effects of high intake of Folate from food sources. Folate is water- soluble and will be disposed of through urination if more than what can be used is supplied.

If your looking to conceive twins, take a 400-1000 micrograms supplement and increase your intake of Vitamin B9 rich foods.

Food sources of Folic Acid include:

Spinach

Asparagus

Turnip Greens

Lettuce

Fortified Grains & Cereals

Egg Yolk

Sunflower Seeds

Liver

Broccoli

Tomatoes

Strawberries

Honeydew Melon

Dairy Cow: Dairy products now a days have been produced by hormone injected cows. 

Dairy Cow: Dairy products now a days have been produced by hormone injected cows. | Source

Dairy Products

Everyone knows that almost all of the animal meats and products we buy at the supermarket are hormone induced super foods. Animals are being injected with synthetic growth hormone to create bigger, meatier, higher producing animals for bigger profits. One of the impacts of the growth hormone is a higher chance of conceiving twins if you eat or drink these kinds of products. So, if you are trying to conceive twins, skip the organic milk and go straight for the hormone enriched kind.

The most common evidence of this is in dairy products produced from cows injected with hormones. Women who ate hormone induced dairy products were found to have higher rates of an insulin like growth hormone (IGF) in their blood system. IGF has been shown to increase the rate of eggs released during ovulation. More eggs can equal more babies.

Birth Control = Twins?

Birth Control = Twins? | Source

Birth Control

When you first discontinue birth control pills or almost any form of hormonal birth control, your body sort of freaks out. It has to adjust to this new normal and most of the time doesn't function exactly the way it is supposed to. Because of all this hormonal craziness, conceiving just after you stop using birth control will help your chances of having twins. So, as soon as you stop using hormonal birth control, crank up the baby making machine!

Your chances of conceiving twins are even higher if you get pregnant while you're on birth control. Those who take birth control sporadically or often forget to take their pills are at higher odds of conceiving twins if they do get pregnant.

The Birth Control Side Effect You Don’t Know About—But Should

The older you are, the higher your risk is of conceiving a child with Down Syndrome.

The older you are, the higher your risk is of conceiving a child with Down Syndrome. | Source

Age

The older you get, the higher your chances of conceiving twins. 17% of mothers over the age of 45 give birth to twins and 1 in 9 over the age of 50 do. Being over 50 gives you pretty good odds for conceiving twins. However, there are many more risks to the mother and baby when the mother is older than 35. If you are so desperate to have twins that you plan on waiting until you are over 45 or 50; weigh the risks, benefits and side effects of your decision carefully. I would not encourage you to get pregnant later in life just for the sake of conceiving twins.

Pregnancy after 45 carries risks

Wild Yams

Wild Yams | Source

Wild Yam Supplement

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Wild Yams

A specific tribe in Africa, the Yoruba, has been found to have an unusually high twin birth rate. When this tribe's diet was studied more closely, it was discovered that they eat wild yams on a daily basis. The exact name of the yam is the cassava.

It has been suggested that the chemical composition of the cassava is the twin culprit. The high levels of certain chemicals are thought tho increase the number of eggs released during ovulation.

The Land of Twins

Conceive in the Summer

Women are most fertile during the Summer. The odds of getting pregnant with twins in the Summer are much higher than the Winter

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How to Conceive a Boy

How to Conceive a Boy

Updated on April 20, 2016

Source
If there was some way to choose the gender of your baby before you conceived, short of in vitro fertilization (IVF), would you do it? We have all heard the old wives tales or crazy stories from your friends or family on how they got pregnant with a boy. But, there are actually some ways discovered that have scientific support to their effectiveness.

Male Sperm

There are two different of kinds of sperm. One kind carries an X chromosome and would create a baby girl if it fertilized an egg. The other carries a Y chromosome and would create a baby boy if it fertilized an egg. We are going to focus on the sperm carrying a Y chromosome, which I will refer to as a male sperm.

Male sperm has distinctive differences from female sperm in terms of their motility or ability to swim. If male sperm were a runner, it would be a sprinter. Female sperm on the other hand would be an endurance runner. Male sperm is faster but does not have the ability to travel long or far. These differences are part of what we can use to increase the chances of conceiving a boy.

Ovulation

To give the little boys a better chance at winning the race to the egg, they need to be closer to the finish line. By this, I mean having intercourse closer to ovulation. This is due to the fact that they can get to the egg faster than the female sperm but only if the egg is present very soon after intercourse. Chances are, if you abstain from intercourse until 24 hours before you ovulate to 12 hours after you ovulate, you will be more likely to have a boy. To use this method, you need to know how to determine when you ovulate.

The Link Between Body Temperature, Ovulation, and Pregnancy

How to Calculate Your Ovulation

Deep Penetration

Because of the speed of the male sperm compared to that of the female sperm, deep penetration gives the male sperm the best chance at success. Also, the same tip goes for general conception as conceiving a boy; don't get up right away after the deed is done. Stay lying down for a little while so the little guys can make their way to the egg.



Alkalinity

Male sperm thrives best in an alkaline environment versus an acidic environment. This is because sperm are naturally alkaline and male sperm have a hard time sustaining extreme environments.

One way to lower the pH of your body is by rinsing the area around 30 minutes before intercourse. The best solution to use in order to raise the alkalinity level is water and baking soda. Do not use a solution that contains any form of vinegar.

Eating foods that raise the pH can also help increase the chances of having a baby boy.

Foods to eat to conceive a boy include:

Almonds
Brown Rice
Peaches
Tomatoes
Dates
Apples
Bananas
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Spinach
Garlic
Cayenne Peppers
Lemons
Supplements

Guaifenesin - Thins the cervical mucus.

Evening Primrose Oil - Improves the quality of cervical mucus.

Both Guaifenesin and Evening Primrose Oil are said to improve chances of conception in general. This makes an even playing field for both male and female sperm. Since the male sperm is said to be faster, this improves the male sperms chances even more. Only take these supplements in the days leading up to ovulation. They will not be beneficial for conception during any other time during your cycle. Begin taking supplements when your period begins and stop after ovulation

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The best diet for fertility health

The best diet for fertility health

The best diet for fertility health I have an acquaintance who is 42 and who is currently trying to fall pregnant. She has been trying for about two years now, and has even visited a fertility clinic to find out why she cannot conceive. She claims she has what is termed ‘unexplained infertility’, but this person also drinks heavily, smokes like a chimney ? as does her husband ? and is quite overweight. As far as I can tell, there is nothing ‘unexplained’ about her inability to conceive. But then again, I am no doctor… It just makes sense to me: if you’re trying to conceive, cut out the alcohol and cigarettes and get yourself in shape.

I have never been overweight or grossly unfit; nor do I smoke. I run; I go to gym and do yoga once a week. But, like most people, I do tend to overindulge sometimes (hence the gym). I have a glass of wine with dinner most nights, and if there is a social occasion, I am a sucker for a few glasses of Limoncello. I am by no means unhealthy, but I still saw the need to cut back on some things and start eating healthier foods when trying to conceive. I also changed what exercise I did and stuck more to yoga and brisk walking than strenuous gym sessions and running.

Optimal Diet for Fertility

An 8-year long study involving over 18 000 women showed how diet can play an extremely important role in fertile health. A healthy diet can prevent, or even reverse, ovulatory infertility, as the study proved. The study showed that the best diet for fertile health is one rich in proteins, healthy fats and whole grain foods. Here’s what was recommended:

Avoid trans fats. Trans fats clog the arteries. Need I say more?

Use unsaturated vegetable oils. Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin, which is vital for fertility. Use more vegetable oils, seeds and nuts in your diet, as well as fatty fish such as salmon or sardines.

Use more vegetable proteins. Cut back on the red meat and go for Brazil nuts or soya beans. Eat more tofu, beans and peas.

Whole milks are better. Skim milk appears to promote infertility. While trying to conceive, switch to whole milk products or have full-fat yoghurt every day. A bowl of ice cream is even allowed. (You’re welcome)

Eat SLOW carbs, not NO carbs. ‘Slow carbs’ are carbohydrates that are digested slowly, thereby controlling insulin and blood sugar levels more effectively.

Take multivitamins. A good fertility multivitamin will contain folic acid (at least 400mg per day) as well as all the other minerals and vitamins you will need for fertile health.

Iron from plants. Extra iron from plants seems to improve fertility. Add whole grain cereals, tomatoes and spinach to your diet.

Water. Keep hydrated with water, not sugar-laden sodas or juices, or caffeinated drinks.

Control your weight. The best Body Mass Index (BMI) for fertility is 20 to 24. If you are below or above that, work towards achieving that by changing your diet and exercise.


Source
FATS

As we know, even though fats have the same calories, not all fats are created equal in terms of being bad or good for us. We do need some fat in our diet.

Trans fats (also called hydrogenated fats) and saturated fats, found in animal products and processed foods, are bad for us, as they can raise our cholesterol and cause heart disease.
Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, derived from plant sources, are the GOOD fats.

Olive oil is an excellent example of monounsaturated fat.
Olive oil is an excellent example of monounsaturated fat. | Source
Polyunsaturated fats can be found in oils derived from the soy bean.
Polyunsaturated fats can be found in oils derived from the soy bean. | Source
Essential fatty acids can be found in foods such as walnuts.
Essential fatty acids can be found in foods such as walnuts. | Source
Monounsaturated fats
Classified as a fat that is liquid at room temperature, but solidifies when chilled.
Monounsaturated fats are known to actually lower bad cholesterol and maintain good cholesterol.
As mentioned before, these fats, with polyunsaturated fats, also improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin.
This fat is found in plant substances such as:
olives
olive oil
peanut oil
avocados
canola oil.

Polyunsaturated fats
These fats are also liquid at room temperature. They also lower bad cholesterol, but too much of these fats can also lower good cholesterol levels.
Polyunsaturated fats are found in:
safflower oil
sesame oil
corn oil
cottonseed oil
soybean oil

Essential Fatty acids or Omega 3
Called ‘essential’ because they are good for our health, but our bodies cannot produce these fats themselves.
They are found in:
cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel or sardines
flax seed
soy
walnuts

Choose plant-based proteins such as tofu and eat it in a healthy salad.
Choose plant-based proteins such as tofu and eat it in a healthy salad. | Source
PROTEINS

As stated above, try to eat more plant-based proteins than meat-based. This does not mean you have to become a vegetarian, but rather swap two or three meals per week from meat to vegetable, while trying to conceive. Become a Flexitarian!

Plant-based proteins have been associated with higher fertility rate in women, as opposed to red meat or poultry-based proteins.

Stick to fish (mackerel, herring, sardines and salmon for the fatty acids) and eggs, when eating animal proteins. Do check the source of your fish though, and make sure they are low in mercury levels and are from a sustainable environment.

Go free-rage when possible, when buying eggs.

If you do want to eat poultry, chicken or lean turkey are good choices – but keep it to a minimum. Again, opt for the free-range or organic options if possible.

If you still cannot cut out red meats or pork, then stick to the leanest cuts of those meats, and keep it to a once-weekly event. Also try and buy organic wherever possible, to avoid unwanted toxins.

Sesame seeds added to dishes are rich in protein.
Sesame seeds added to dishes are rich in protein. | Source
The best sources of plant proteins are:
beans
peas
tofu
quinoa
soybeans (not too much soy-based products as soy can have an adverse effect on fertility)
nuts
seeds

Choose whole milk products for optimal fertility health,
Choose whole milk products for optimal fertility health, | Source
DAIRY

Studies have shown that skim milk products can affect fertility by causing an imbalance of hormones, which can cause failure to ovulate or to produce healthy eggs.
Lower fat milks land up containing more male than female hormones.

Studies proved that women who switched to full fat dairy products were 27% less likely to suffer from infertility issues. So rather switch to whole milk or full fat milk products as the healthy fats in milk are actually good for you.

This is not to say you can go ahead and indulge in high-fat ice cream and whipped cream on everything. Just drink a glass or two of full fat milk or have some full fat yoghurt every day.

This was a problem for me as I have only ever used skim milk in my diet. Anything more makes me feel slightly ‘liverish’. But I switched to full fat yoghurt and tried to use half full milk on cereal or porridge, and full fat cheese on bread. I still used skim milk in my tea though!

Choose raw milk products where possible.
Choose raw milk products where possible. | Source
Go raw milk where possible. Most cows these days are pumped full of antibiotics to counteract infections they are constantly picking up. This obviously affects the milk they produce.
Cows are also treated with a growth hormone called Bovine Somatotropin, which has been linked to early puberty in girls and can cause hormone imbalances in older women.
Pasteurised milk has lost a huge percentage of the vitamins it is supposed to contain, through the heating process.
For this reason, it is essential to try and buy raw milk when trying to conceive. Do your research on raw milk in your area. Make sure it comes from free range, grass-fed cows.
For years, raw milk has been given a hard rap. It is still being drummed into us that soft cheeses, made from raw milk, need to be avoided when trying to conceive, and while pregnant.
However, most evidence these days is pointing to a very different picture, saying that there is absolutely nothing wrong with eating soft cheese made from raw milk, and that the idea that is bad for us is rather antiquated
I found this on realmilk.com :

“It is POSSIBLE for raw milk to harbour dangerous micro-organisms, but it is possible for ANY food, raw or pasteurized, to harbour dangerous micro-organisms. We do not advocate drinking unpasteurized milk from modern Holsteins, bred to produce high volumes of milk, injected with recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH), and raised in commercial feedlots where they are crowded and stressed and given antibiotics to keep them from being sick. That milk DOES need to be pasteurized to lessen (not eliminate) the possibility of food-borne illness. We advocate the drinking of raw milk from old-fashioned breeds of cows raised on pasture, with plenty of green grass, sunshine, and room to move. Properly raised and milked in clean conditions, this milk is extremely unlikely to harbour dangerous micro-organisms…in fact, less likely than commercial, pasteurized milk. See our page Two Raw Milks for comparison. Also note the second comment below regarding the relative safety of ALL dairy compared to other foods.”

Choose slow release carbohydrates for optimal health.
Choose slow release carbohydrates for optimal health. | Source
SLOW CARBS

Do NOT eliminate carbohydrates from your diet. Carbohydrates are essential for energy and a host of minerals and vitamins in your diet.
Rather, choose SLOW carbs – carbohydrates that digest slowly, keeping your insulin at a controlled level, which is essential for hormone balance and fertility.

The same study listed above, involving over 18 000 women, showed that women who ate ‘fast carbs’ or carbs easily digested, such as potatoes, white bread and sugary cakes or sodas, were more likely to suffer from ovulatory infertility.

The women who ate carbs that were digested slowly and were rich in fibre had improved fertility.

Berries are a good example of slow carb foods.
Berries are a good example of slow carb foods. | Source
Examples of slow carbs are:
whole wheat bread
brown rice
beans
Non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, tomatoes and asparagus
Fruits such as berries, apples and pears. Avoid tropical fruits such as mango, papaya and pineapple
Quinoa
Oats

Low GI (Glycemic Index) foods. Similar to slow carbs in that they raise your sugar levels slowly as they digest, rather than sending them sky-rocketing and then leaving you plummeting down into a sugar-low slump later.

Low GI foods are good for people trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight – which is also essential for fertility. The reason is that they keep you feeling full for longer ? so you are less likely to over-eat ? as well as giving you sustained energy levels.

Oats is an excellent low GI food.
Oats is an excellent low GI food. | Source
Some examples of Low GI foods are:
oats
muesli
soy and Linseed bread
whole wheat bread and pasta
rye bread
hummus
peanuts
walnuts
brown rice
sweet potatoes
kidney beans
lentils
pinto beans
most vegetables
many fruits
milk
For a full list of Low GI foods go to www.the-gi-diet.org

Choose iron from plant sources instead. A spinach salad is a good source of iron.
Choose iron from plant sources instead. A spinach salad is a good source of iron. | Source
IRON FROM PLANT SOURCES

Adequate iron is needed for fertility health as well as placental development and brain development in the baby, after conception.
There is more iron in vegetables than you think, so don’t assume you need to eat steak every night in order to get your iron intake.

In the study involving those same 18 000 women I keep referring to, results showed that the women taking a daily plant-based iron supplement had a 40% lower risk rate of infertility due to ovarian failure. The same findings to not apply to red meat as an iron source.
So, do also take an iron supplement, especially if you have heavy periods.

Dried apricots are rich in iron.
Dried apricots are rich in iron. | Source
Some plants rich in iron include:
soy beans
spinach
swiss chard
dried apricots
parsley
lentils
olives

Choose a good quality prenatal multivitamin.
Choose a good quality prenatal multivitamin. | Source
MULTIVITAMINS

A good multivitamin is important when trying to conceive. But some might contain lower amounts than you need of each vitamin, so add to it with extra supplementation if necessary.
For a full list and the benefits of each, see my article on what vitamins and supplements to take for fertile health here.

Drink enough water to keep your organs hydrated.
Drink enough water to keep your organs hydrated. | Source
WATER

It seems ridiculous that water should be on the good diet list for optimal fertility health, but the fact is that most of us do not drink enough of it. I know I certainly don’t.

It is essential to remain hydrated – for all your organs, including the reproductive ones.
Water creates better mucus and cervical fluid, which is very important when trying to conceive.

Water is also a good way maintain a healthy weight, or lose weight, as it fills you up and stops you from snacking between meals. Often we are thirsty and not hungry. So when you feel hungry between mealtimes, try downing a large glass of water instead. You’ll be surprised at how easily your ‘hunger pang’ disappears.

I’m not going to wax on about drinking 8 glasses a day (which we all know already), but as long as you remain well hydrated, it is better than nothing.
Try and drink a glass of water after every pee, and before every meal, to keep yourself hydrated.

WHAT TO AVOID

Caffeine. There have been some mixed reviews on caffeine consumption and fertility health, but most studies show that you should curb your caffeine intake.
Studies have shown that about 300mg a day – equivalent to 2 small cups of coffee – will not be harmful to your fertility, but don’t have more than that, if possible.

Some people – me included – would prefer to cut out caffeine altogether when trying to conceive, as it really is healthier for you.

Others have a really hard time cutting out caffeine altogether. People who are used to drinking several cups of coffee a day might suffer withdrawal symptoms, so perhaps it is better for them to try and cut down their intake, rather than eliminate it altogether. Or at least start by slowly reducing the caffeine intake until you are down to a cup or two (at most) a day.

Note that caffeine can have a positive effect on men though, as it increases mobility of their sperm. So give your guy a cup of coffee before sex.

Alcohol. Drinking alcohol while trying to conceive – even one drink a day ? can literally halve your chances of falling pregnant. Do you need any more reason to stop?

Alcohol can inhibit the body from absorbing essential nutrients as well, so if you’re taking that multivitamin and drinking alcohol, you’re wasting all those vitamins and minerals, not to mention your money.

The occasional glass of wine or a beer is not going to be detrimental to conception, but rather keep your consumption to one glass at a birthday party, than an every day event.
The best time to cut out alcohol altogether, while trying to conceive, is between ovulation and your next period. The ‘best’ time to have a glass of vino, if you must, is on the first day of your period.

In men, alcohol can cause a decrease in sperm count, as well as less healthy sperm.

Saturated fats. A saturated fat is one that is solid at room temperature. They are directly responsible for raising bad cholesterol levels in our bodies, which can lead to heart disease. They can also harden the arteries, raise our blood pressure, and lead to coronary disease.

Additives and preservatives. MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) is just one well-known additive that causes problems in the body. I, for one, get severe migraines if I eat anything containing MSG or Sodium Benzoate.

Hormones such as oestrogen can be affected by additives and preservatives, which is detrimental to fertility health.

MSG is an additive found in many fast foods as well as flavoured foods such as chips (crisps), meat seasoning and packaged dry goods.

BHA is a preservative found in foods which is also detrimental to fertility health and should be avoided.

SMOKING
If you are a smoker and trying to fall pregnant, you may as well give up now; one or the other.
Smokers are at a much higher risk of infertility than non-smokers (almost twice as high). When you smoke, you are literally allowing thousands (more than 7000) of chemicals into your body. All of them are harmful to fertility, not to mention an unborn child.
Smoking causes:
ovulation problems
genetics issues
egg damage
cell damage
increased risk of miscarriage and cancer
damage to the reproductive organs

Studies have shown that not just smoking, but second-hand smoke, can affect your fertility. It is, in fact, just as detrimental to your health as direct smoking.

Smokers have shown an increased chance of suffering a miscarriage, or having ectopic pregnancies.

Smoking can also lead to premature or early menopause in women.

Studies show that women who stop smoking at least two or three months before trying to conceive increase their chance of falling pregnant.

Smoking also causes fertility issues in men. They have a lower sperm count as well as sluggish sperm.

Smoking can even lead to erectile dysfunction in men.

Most importantly, smoking will harm your unborn child.

Hand-in-hand with good diet goes a good exercise routine. For the best forms of exercise to do while trying to conceive, see here

Change your exercise routine for optimal fertility health
Whether you’re trying to conceive or not, exercise is good for you. Not just to keep your body in shape, but your mind too.
For further reading on fertility health, please see my other articles

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