Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

Recommendations for Conceiving?

Dear Kristen, could you please give me some lifestyle and nutritional recommendations that will help me as I'm trying to conceive?

Thank you in advance.

Answer:

Trying to conceive is really exciting. I think one of the things that makes it so is the excellent opportunity it provides you to make changes in your life. These changes don't just benefit your baby-yet-to-be, they also benefit you!



My top recommendations are to get into the habit of tracking your fertility signs, if you haven't yet, and to improve your nutrition.

I've written a lot on nutrition and you're welcome to explore each of those articles further. I highly recommend you go ahead and start focusing on the critical elements of a pregnancy diet now, while you're trying to conceive. It will give you a head start for pregnancy.

Preconception Nutrition

Pregnancy Diet

Info on Your Fertility Signs

The most important thing is to be sure you're getting high-quality fats. This means fats humans have been eating traditionally (such as butter, olive oil and coconut oil) - not newfangled fats (like corn and soybean oil). These fats are vital to your ability to conceive (and will literally be the building blocks of your baby's brain)

High-quality protein is also important, and will be even more important once you're pregnant.

As for lifestyle changes - if you're smoking or drinking alcohol, work towards stopping. If you take any prescription drugs now is the time to research those and consult with your doctor about plans to continue or discontinue them.

I highly recommend you get in some physical activity a few times a week. I don't mean wearing yourself out at the gym, but walking or swimming several times a week and prenatal yoga/bellydancing/etc. are good choices. They help improve your blood circulation and can also help improve your fertility signs.

One last habit you may want to develop is good posture - it won't help you conceive but it will make pregnancy much easier. And as you get closer to your baby's birthday it will help encourage your baby to stay in a good position ;)

I'm currently reading Lisa Olson's book on preparing for conception and trying to conceive and she does a great job giving a detailed, step-by-step plan for these things. I do disagree slightly with her on nutrition (she recommends soy and I think you should avoid it) but her other advice is excellent and the plan is really well put together. Check her book out here.