Planning to conceive? Here are the ways to boost your fertility

The first 8 weeks of pregnancy is a key for the foetus growing inside you. Most of the foetus's major organs and body systems have begun to form

The goal of preconception care check-up is to find things that could affect one's pregnancy. Identifying these factors before pregnancy allows you to take steps that can increase the chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Before you plan pregnancy you need to modify your lifestyle, stop medications if contraindicated in pregnancy and inquire about any family history of diseases which can affect your pregnancy and should be taken care of.

Dr Aruna Kalra, Director and Senior Gynaecologist Surgeon at C K Birla Hospital says, "If you are planning to become pregnant, it is a good idea to have a preconception care check-up. The first 8 weeks of pregnancy is a key for the foetus growing inside you. Most of the foetus's major organs and body systems have begun to form. Your health and nutrition can affect your fetus’s growth and development in these early weeks."

Good diet
Your body needs a regular supply of nutrients to grow, replace worn-out tissue, and provide energy. You can get your daily dietary reference intake of nutrients from food as well as from supplements. However, most of your nutrients should come from the foods you eat.

To be sure that your diet gives you enough nutrients, you need to know which ones are in the foods you eat. Your diet should be balanced with carbohydrates, proteins, essential fatty acids, roughage, dairy products and vitamins.

Pregnancy should be started with optimum weight, being underweight and overweight can pose risks to your pregnancy Excess weight during pregnancy is associated with childbirth complications, including high blood pressure, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes. Obesity during pregnancy also is associated with macrosomia, defined as a larger-than-normal baby, as well as an increased risk of birth injury and cesarean delivery. It also increases the risk of birth defects, especially neural tube defects. Having too much body fat may make it more difficult for your doctor to monitor your fetus with ultrasound and to hear the fetus’s heartbeat.

Here are few important tips by Dr Aruna Kalra, Director and Senior Gynaecologist Surgeon, CK Birla Hospital to boost your fertility and ensure you a healthy pregnancy. Before planning conception follow these simple rules:

Lose weight if overweight
To lose weight, you need to use up more calories than you take in. The best way to lose weight is by making a few changes in your diet and by being more physically active. Cutting back on the number of calories you consume is a good first step. Exercise burns calories and helps you lose weight. In certain situations, medications or weight-loss surgery can be considered.

Underweight affects pregnancy
Being underweight also poses risks during pregnancy. It increases the risk of having a low-birth-weight baby. These babies are at risk of problems during labor and may have health and behavioral problems that last into childhood and adulthood. Being underweigduring pregnancy also increases the risk of preterm birth.

Vitamin supplement
Although most of your nutrients should come from the foods you eat, it is a good idea to start taking a prenatal vitamin supplement before pregnancy. Prenatal vitamin supplements contain all the recommended daily vitamins and minerals you will need before and during your pregnancy.

Folic acid before pregnancy
Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects when taken before pregnancy and during pregnancy. It is recommended that all women (even if they are not trying to get pregnant) consume 400 micrograms of folic acid a day by taking a vitamin supplement containing folic acid.

Iron supplements
Iron also is important during pregnancy. It is used to make the extra blood needed to supply oxygen to the baby. Not getting enough iron can be a problem for some women.

Lifestyle changes
Smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs during pregnancy can have harmful effects on a fetus. The time when the fetus is most vulnerable to the harmful effects of these substances is during the first trimester of pregnancy. Stopping harmful behavior before pregnancy may reduce or even eliminate the risks of some birth defects that occur early in pregnancy.

Best environment
Some substances found in the home or the workplace may make it harder for a woman to become pregnant or could harm her fetus. If you are planning to get pregnant, look closely at your home and workplace. Think about the chemicals you use in your home or garden. Find out from your employer whether you might be exposed at work to toxic substances such as lead or mercury, chemicals such as pesticides or solvents, or radiation.

Medical conditions
Some medical conditions—such as diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, depression, and seizure disorders—can cause problems during pregnancy. If you have a medical condition, your doctor will discuss with you the changes that you need to make in order to bring your condition under control before you try to get pregnant.
Medications.

Some medications, including vitamin supplements, over-the-counter medications, and herbal remedies, can be harmful to the fetus and should not be taken while you are pregnant. It is important to tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking during your preconception care checkup. Do not stop taking prescription medication until you have talked with your doctor.

Infection
Infections can harm both the mother and the fetus. Some infections during pregnancy can cause birth defects or illnesses in the baby. Infections passed through sexual contact—sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—also are harmful during pregnancy. Many types of STIs may affect your ability to become pregnant. They also may infect and harm your fetus. If you think you or your partner may have an STI, get tested and treated right away.

Vaccination (also called immunisation) can prevent some infections. Some vaccines are not safe to use during pregnancy. It is important to know which vaccines you may need and to get them before becoming pregnant.

Problems in a previous pregnancy
Some pregnancy problems may increase the risk of having the same problem in a later pregnancy. These problems include preterm birth, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes. However, just because you had a problem in a past pregnancy does not mean it will happen again—especially if you receive proper care before and during your pregnancy.

Family health history
Some health conditions occur more often in certain families or ethnic groups. These conditions are called genetic or inherited disorders. If a close relative has a certain condition, you or your baby could be at greater risk of having it.

Also Read: Experts list six lifestyle changes that can help you get pregnant faster

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