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26 August 2024 · Updated 11 October 2024 · Views: 2124

Common Fertility Mistakes When Trying to Conceive

Lexy Pacheco

Lexy Pacheco

Focused chiropractic DONA, certified doula

Reviewed by Lexy Pacheco

Common Fertility Mistakes When Trying to Conceive

Fortunate are some who become pregnant quite immediately after beginning their fertility journey. Others may need more time, and there is frequently no pattern or explanation for why certain people become pregnant or not.

However, there are a lot of things you can do to improve your odds as well as some typical errors individuals make when attempting to conceive.

These are some common mistakes people make when attempting to become pregnant, along with suggestions for how to avoid them.

Not looking after your weight

One's capacity to conceive can be affected by either being underweight or overweight. Body fat is the reason of this since excessive or insufficient amounts can lead to irregular menstruation, which may make pregnancy difficult.

Obesity can also affect men's fertility, since a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more may indicate lower-than-average fertility.

Achieve a BMI between twenty and twenty-five. Maintaining this weight will increase your chances of getting pregnant and is healthy.

Smoking

It's a mistake to continue smoking while attempting to conceive because smoking cigarettes, including passive smoking, is not only terrible for your overall health but may also lower a woman's fertility. (Even if you do become pregnant, it's wise to stop smoking as it can limit your unborn child's access to vital oxygen.) Additionally, smoking might have an impact on male fertility.

Although giving up cigarettes is difficult, the NHS offers a wealth of free support, so visit your doctor for guidance. They will tell you where to find reasonably priced nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, such as gum and patches, and provide you with information on your local stop smoking service, where you may attend one-on-one appointments and group sessions with other individuals who wish to quit.

Drinking alcohol

Although the precise reason for this is unknown, research points to a connection between alcohol consumption and lower rates of both male and female fertility. The Chief Medical Officer advises women who intend to become pregnant to abstain from all alcohol.

Therefore, cutting back on your alcohol consumption is beneficial for both of you and your companion. Additionally, while attempting to conceive, you should ideally give up totally.

If you find it hard to completely give up, you can start cutting back by designating certain days as "no alcohol" days and selecting low- or no-alcohol beverages. This will quickly turn into a habit and assist you in quitting alcohol completely.

Not having enough sex

Although it may seem apparent, having insufficient sex will reduce your chances of becoming pregnant.

You should aim to have intercourse every two to three days, according to the NHS. Additionally, having intercourse soon after ovulation—which typically occurs within two weeks after the beginning day of your last period—will increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

Fortunate are some who become pregnant quite immediately after beginning their fertility journey. Others may need more time, and there is frequently no pattern or explanation for why certain people become pregnant or not.

However, there are a lot of things you can do to improve your odds as well as some typical errors individuals make when attempting to conceive.

These are some common mistakes people make when attempting to become pregnant, along with suggestions for how to avoid them.

Not looking after your weight

One's capacity to conceive can be affected by either being underweight or overweight. Body fat is the reason of this since excessive or insufficient amounts can lead to irregular menstruation, which may make pregnancy difficult.

Obesity can also affect men's fertility, since a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more may indicate lower-than-average fertility.

Achieve a BMI between twenty and twenty-five. Maintaining this weight will increase your chances of getting pregnant and is healthy.

Smoking

It's a mistake to continue smoking while attempting to conceive because smoking cigarettes, including passive smoking, is not only terrible for your overall health but may also lower a woman's fertility. (Even if you do become pregnant, it's wise to stop smoking as it can limit your unborn child's access to vital oxygen.) Additionally, smoking might have an impact on male fertility.

Although giving up cigarettes is difficult, the NHS offers a wealth of free support, so visit your doctor for guidance. They will tell you where to find reasonably priced nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, such as gum and patches, and provide you with information on your local stop smoking service, where you may attend one-on-one appointments and group sessions with other individuals who wish to quit.

Drinking alcohol

Although the precise reason for this is unknown, research points to a connection between alcohol consumption and lower rates of both male and female fertility. The Chief Medical Officer advises women who intend to become pregnant to abstain from all alcohol.

Therefore, cutting back on your alcohol consumption is beneficial for both of you and your companion. Additionally, while attempting to conceive, you should ideally give up totally.

If you find it hard to completely give up, you can start cutting back by designating certain days as "no alcohol" days and selecting low- or no-alcohol beverages. This will quickly turn into a habit and assist you in quitting alcohol completely.

Not having enough sex

Although it may seem apparent, having insufficient sex will reduce your chances of becoming pregnant.

You should aim to have intercourse every two to three days, according to the NHS. Additionally, having intercourse soon after ovulation—which typically occurs within two weeks after the beginning day of your last period—will increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

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