The Best Ways to Prepare a Couple for Pregnancy
Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
18 June, 2024
Introduction
Congratulations if you have decided to go one step ahead – and are planning to expand your family. With that said, even with immense medical advancements, some couples cannot get pregnant whenever they need to prepare- mentally and physically.
What Couples Need to Know Before Planning a Pregnancy
The first and foremost step in planning is to understand that you will need to make room for tremendous changes. With that in mind, let us begin-
- Have a series of talks with your partner about getting a detailed health assessment done.
- Make any lifestyle changes slowly and surely. You cannot get away with making drastic changes in a small time frame.
- Talk to your physician about any family history of miscarriages, clotting disorders, cysts or fibroids, etc.
- Learn how to track your cycle every month.
- Raising children without the right approach to financial planning can feel burdensome, or we can be consumed by guilt as we may not be able to afford stuff like other families do. So, start saving, now!
- Work or career-related discussions should happen in a timely manner. Some parents may decide to stay home and take care of their children full-time for a few years, while others may continue to work.
- Be ready for it all emotionally and mentally. Keep an open mind.
How to Improve Fertility for Couples Planning a Pregnancy
Making lifestyle changes is foremost – we will expand on the same, with the following information, in the form of a table-
| Factor | Tips to Improve Fertility |
| Women | Â |
| Weight | Maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise. |
| Ovulation Tracking | Track ovulation using kits or basal body temperature to time intercourse during fertile days. |
| Stress | Manage stress through relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation. |
| Smoking | Quit smoking to improve fertility and overall health. |
| Alcohol and Caffeine | Limit intake of alcohol and caffeine, as excessive consumption can affect fertility. |
| Medications | Discuss with a healthcare provider about medications that may impact fertility. |
| Prenatal Vitamins | Take prenatal vitamins with folic acid before conception. |
| Medical Conditions | Manage chronic conditions under medical guidance, as they can affect fertility. |
| Men | Â |
| Healthy Lifestyle | Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants. |
| Heat Exposure | Avoid prolonged exposure to heat from laptops, hot tubs, or heated car seats, which can affect sperm count. |
| Alcohol and Drugs | Limit alcohol consumption and avoid recreational drugs, which can impact sperm quality. |
| Smoking | Quit smoking to improve sperm count, motility, and quality. |
| Stress | Manage stress through activities like exercise and maintaining work-life balance. |
| Medications | Check with a healthcare provider about medications that could affect sperm production. |
| Physical Activity | Stay active with regular exercise to improve overall health and fertility. |
| Hydration | Drink plenty of water to support reproductive health. |
| Environmental Toxins | Minimise exposure to pesticides, lead, and other toxins that can affect fertility. |
| Timed Intercourse | Have regular intercourse during the woman’s fertile window (days leading up to and including ovulation). |
| Medical Consultation | Talk to a fertility specialist if conception hasn’t occurred after trying for a year (or six months if the woman is over 35). |
Tips for balancing work and planning for pregnancy
Career planning goes haywire, especially for women at this time. So talk to your employer and ask them about benefits, maternity leave duration, flexible working hours etc. Begin budgeting, as you may not get paid fully if you decide to take longer than 6 months. Try not to work on very stressful projects, or if you do, then make sure you have recreational pursuits to balance the same. Learn about laws that will keep you safe from discrimination at work. Many women prefer to work from home during the day. Or, get in touch with family- grandparents, cousins, aunts, daycare or creche services too- anyone who might be willing to help. It takes a village to raise a kid.
Medical Checkups for Couples Planning Pregnancy
Women can get a fertility test done, a pap smear, a pelvic exam, and any venereal diseases. A full blood work-up can also be helpful to understand if you have any deficiencies. Vaccinations should be taken as prescribed. If there is any family history of miscarriage or disorders, then genetic counseling is offered. Taking prenatal supplements is extremely important. Men can get a semen analysis, STI tests, along with a general health assessment done. Dental checkups are important for both too.
Conclusion
No singular source in the world can give you solid advice on how to become parent. It is a collection of experiences over a lifetime that result in great parenting. The important thing is to not have your priorities set in stone. This is especially important to understand as fertility rates have been steadily declining over the last few years. Also, you can get truly blindsided with everything that has to be taken care of, if you are not mentally prepared to deal with the whole premise- because it is a lot of committed work that needs to be done continuously. Good luck, and congratulations, again!
