6 Things to Avoid when Trying to Conceive
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Trying to conceive in 2023? Here are some tips and tricks of things to AVOID to help you get pregnant fast. Check out this post for my #1 tip when trying to conceive.
- Smoking
Not only is smoking harmful during pregnancy, but it can also affect conception. Women who smoke have more difficulty conceiving.
During pregnancy, smoking can cause a whole slew of problems, including birth defects, stillbirth, and preterm labor. When I say “smoking” I’m referring to E-cigarettes, vaping, cigars, and cigarettes alike. The best advice for both mom and baby is to quit smoking as soon as possible.
Studies also show that males who smoke have a lower sperm count. If your partner smokes, now would also be a great time for them to kick the habit as well.
- Alcohol
Alcohol is a toxin to the body and can stop you from getting pregnant.
Most women know not to drink while pregnant, but it also affects your chances of conception.
Currently nearly one-half of all women of reproductive age report alcohol consumption. If you fall into this category, now would be a great time to stop.
Safe levels of alcohol have not been determined, which is why it is recommended to avoid all alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
- Stress
Everyone experiences stress, it’s just a natural part of life. A little bit of stress can be a good thing, but excess stress can cause problems with fertility.
Studies have shown that when one or both partners are stressed or depressed chances for conception are low. This can be why some people will say “you’ll get pregnant when you stop trying.” because when you are constantly stressing about getting pregnant, it is less likely to happen. So be calm, enjoy your sex life, and do what you can to decrease stress.
Strategies for decreasing stress may include meditation, yoga, journaling, taking walks, spending more time outdoors, etc. Don’t rely on controlled substances or alcohol to decrease stress levels.
- Junk Food
One of the best things you can do for yourself before and during pregnancy is to eat a healthy diet. Do what you can to avoid processed foods and junk foods- chips, soda, cookies, etc.
Fill your diet with nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, salads, quinoa, avocados, chicken, fish, etc. It is also recommended to take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid about 3 months before becoming pregnant.
- Caffeine
Luckily this one is not too hard for me, but I know some of you may have some major caffeine addictions, and be unable to live without coffee. Now this one you don’t need to completely eliminate, but it is recommended to decrease caffeine consumption, to no more than 1-2 cups of coffee per day.
The risk? Too much caffeine can increase your risk of miscarriage.
- Bed Rest
Studies show that being active, having a healthy BMI, and exercising regularly improve pregnancy odds as well as pregnancy outcomes. So avoid bedrest! Get out and be active. Some of the best exercises for fertility and pregnancy are walking, yoga, swimming, etc.
Many of these are our everyday vices we need to eliminate in order to get pregnant or have a healthy pregnancy. Good luck in your pregnancy journey this year!
