Trying for a baby can be one of those most exciting things in a couple’s life and a little planning can go a long way as it sets the foundation for the lifelong health of you and your baby.
By planning ahead you can help your unborn child thrive, improve your fertility chances and reduce risks during pregnancy. Making healthy lifestyle choices earlier in the TTC process will give you a peace of mind when you get a positive pregnancy test. Here are five things to consider as you start trying for a baby.
Vitamins and supplements when TTC
Folic acid
It’s best to start taking folic acid as soon as you start trying for a baby, or as soon as you find out you’re pregnant.
Folic acid is very important for your pregnancy, as it can prevent birth defects known as ‘neural tube defects’, including spina bifida.
It is recommended to take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day during the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy – and before if possible!
It is also important to eat a healthy balanced diet full of foods rich in folate – the naturally occurring form of folic acid – such as broccoli, spinach, granary bread, beans and pulses However, we often don’t get enough of folate from our diet – which is why we need to take a folic acid supplement.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin – which we definitely don’t get enough of in the UK! Vitamin D is needed so we can absorb calcium, which is needed to keep our bones, teeth and muscles healthy. We should all be upping our vitamin D intake – but it is especially important when you are pregnant as it helps your baby’s bones, teeth, kidneys, heart and nervous system develop.
Vitamin D is found in oily fish, eggs, ref means and some fortified foods such as breakfast cereals however it is difficult to get enough vitamin D from diet alone.
Reaching a healthy weight during the preconception phase
A healthy weight is often measured by your body mass index which looks at your height and weight and gives a range, anything between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy.
Being overweight or underweight can affect your fertility, cause health problems during pregnancy and affect the future health of a child. Reaching a healthy weight can also help you get pregnant and improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy and baby, but why is that?
Well, estrogen is made by the ovaries but it is also made by fat cells and as you gain weight your fat cells grow which releases more estrogen. Having more estrogen can trick your body into thinking you are pregnant, preventing ovulation and stopping periods. On the flip side, being underweight can stop your body making estrogen. This can cause irregular menstrual cycles. and you may stop ovulating and getting your period – which can make it harder to conceive. Before you start trying to conceive it’s a great idea to ensure you’re eating a healthy diet and are getting regular exercise.
Smoking, alcohol & drugs when preparing for pregnancy
Most women give alcohol up completely during pregnancy because – it’s definitely the safest option. When you drink, alcohol passes from your blood through the placenta and to your baby. There is no known safe level for drinking during pregnancy, so the best approach is not to drink at all while you’re pregnant. When you are trying to conceive you may not know you are pregnant for the first few weeks so it’s a good idea to stop drinking as soon as you start having unprotected sex.
Recreational drugs, such as cannabis and cocaine can also contribute to fertility problems. This means that if you or your partner take drugs, you may find it more difficult to get pregnant. In women, heavy cannabis use can unbalance hormones so women who use it are likely to have problems getting pregnant, compared to those who don’t.
Smoking has thousands of harmful chemicals that can be harmful to your unborn baby. One of the best things you can do is to stop smoking prior to getting pregnant to give your baby the best healthy start.
Sex when trying for a baby
One of the biggest questions couples who are TTC have is how many times they should be having sex. The key is to have regular sex, every 2-3 days and also to and ensure you’re having a bit of extra sex around the time of ovulation. It can be challenging when pregnancy doesn’t happen right away, but try to be patient. This is normal. It doesn’t mean that it’ll never happen for you. Try to keep up the baby-making fun, be adventurous, and stay relaxed. Doing these things can help you increase your chances of getting that positive result you’ve been waiting for.
Vaccines – safe or not?
It is important to think about vaccinations, as some vaccinations can be given in pregnancy and some cannot. If a vaccine uses a live version of the virus, such as the MMR vaccine, you’ll usually be advised to wait until after your baby is born before you get vaccinated. Much like alcohol, you may not know you are pregnant in the early stages, so it’s a good idea to avoid these types of vaccines when TTC.
The COVID-19 vaccines have not yet been tested in pregnancy so until more information is available, those who are pregnant should not routinely have this vaccine. For more information, it is advised to look at the Public Health England or the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. We’ve also written a recent blog about the impact of the vaccine on fertility and pregnancy.
