If your periods are regular and you’ve figured out the time you ovulate then you might already know the optimum time to conceive is those few days before you ovulate. Sperm lives up to five days in the female body and planning intercourse those few days prior to ovulation offers the best chance for conception.
But that leaves approximately 25 other days while you wait for those optimal fertility days. Maintaining good to excellent health is the goal during that period. Why? For many reasons. You certainly want to be in the best shape possible going into pregnancy. And your good health and good habits create fewer risks in pregnancy and delivery. Plus you have a lifetime ahead with your little one and you want to be able to enjoy each and every moment.
7 Ways to Stay Healthy While You Wait for Optimal Fertility Days
While you wait for your optimal fertility days, there are many ways to stay healthy. From diet to lifestyle and limiting stress, we offer these 7 ways for wellness during the time you’re trying to conceive.
- Maintain Your Healthy Weight
Being underweight or overweight may interfere with ovulation. If you have trouble losing or gaining weight, talk your doctor as there may be an underlying condition. However, if your doctor considers your weight healthy then make sure you do all you can to maintain it. Don’t go on any crash diets or strictly limit calories right now. Doing so may interfere with hormonal balance and ovulation.
- Minimize Your Exposure to Toxins
Smoking, both firsthand and secondhand, affects your immune system as it exposes you to toxins that compromise and disrupt your health in many ways including your endocrine system which is responsible for your hormones. There are other chemicals in your environment that may also do damage. For example, chemicals found in plastic food containers, plastic water bottles, pest control, non-stick cookware, herbicides, pesticides and weed control chemicals (which are all sprayed on non-organic commercial foods), artificial fragrances for the home and many more everyday items are endocrine disrupting. That means exposure to these toxins may potentially interfere with ovulation.
- Reduce Stress
Stress is responsible for so many chronic and life threatening conditions. Heart disease, depression anxiety and addiction are just a few of the conditions directly associated with stress. Because of the human body’s reaction leaving stress unchecked may interfere with ovulation and fertility. Stress causes exhaustion and low libido which definitely interferes with conception.
So, what can you do? Try just 30 minutes of exercise 5 times per week, yoga, meditation, visualization exercises and journaling your thoughts. If your stress is particularly difficult and challenging your mental and emotional wellness please consult your doctor.
- Get Enough Sleep
Much like stress sleep deprivation is at an all-time high these days. Please do all you can to get the right number of zzzz’s for your health. Most adults need 7+ hours of sleep per night. Solid, restful sleep is a cornerstone of good health. Lack of sleep triggers many health issues including heart disease, T2 diabetes, obesity, certain types of cancers and infertility. Here are ways to improve your sleep.
- Stick to a schedule. Try to get to sleep and awaken at the same time each day. This helps set your sleep rhythm.
- Avoid caffeine after noon and avoid heavy meals within three hours of bedtime.
- Make sure your bedroom has a restful ambience. Keep it cool, dim the lights, turn off the TV and put your devices away.
- Avoid daytime naps. While you’re establishing a sleep schedule, please avoid naps. Many people find naps disrupting to the sleep rhythm.
- Include physical activity in your day. Please try regular daily exercise of some form (preferably outdoors). This helps you sleep more soundly. Try a 30-minute walk each day, but avoid physical activity too close to bedtime.
- Manage stress and anxiety (see above).
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
This one goes without saying for most people, but please no smoking (of any kind), vaping, alcohol consumption or illicit drugs while you wait for optimal fertility days. That goes for both partners. Like the toxins mentioned above these unhealthy choices place you at risk for many conditions and may increase your child’s risk for birth defects or cause miscarriage.
Please mention any over the counter or prescription medications to your doctor, including supplements.
- Eat a Healthy Diet
You are what you eat and so is your future baby. While you wait for optimal fertility days, enjoy a diet filled with a variety of fruits and vegetables, especially folate-rich leafy greens. Create a rainbow on your plate with all the most colorful things mother nature has to offer. Eat a variety of healthy fats and lean proteins. Avoid sugar and processed or fast foods.
- Talk to The Best Fertility Clinic Around
When trying to conceive, take the time while you wait for optimal fertility days to reach out to the team at LA IVF. We’ll help you through your fertility struggles and all along your journey toward growing your family. Contact LA IVF today.
