Have you ever heard someone say, “Just relax and you will get pregnant,” to someone who is having a difficult time getting pregnant? As insulting as that statement might sound, there’s some truth to it.
The Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus, a gland in the brain, is responsible for regulating one’s appetite and emotions. It also regulates the hormones that tell your ovaries to release eggs. Stress can affect the function of the hypothalamus. If you are stressed out, you may ovulate later in your cycle, sometimes not at all.
So, if you are planning on conceiving anytime soon, here are some stressors you should veer away from:
Excessive Caffeine
The keyword here is: excessive. A woman who wants to conceive should not consume more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. Studies show that heavy caffeine consumption has been linked with fertility problems. Caffeine is also known to interfere with a person’s ability to absorb iron and it can dehydrate you. Consuming high dosages can also increase preterm birth and miscarriage risks. It’s better to cut back as early as now.
Smoking
According to American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), smokers take longer time to conceive, and smoking can make a woman’s eggs more prone to certain genetic abnormalities. Smoking also increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. If your partner smokes, he should quit, too. Men who smoke cigarettes have lower sperm motility and count.
Binge Drinking
If you are trying to conceive, smoking is not the only thing you have to quit, but drinking alcoholic beverages, too. Excessive drinking is linked to lack of ovulation, irregular periods as well as abnormal estrogen and progesterone levels. Drinking can also cause fetal alcohol syndrome once you do get pregnant. Just like smoking, your partner should also limit his alcohol intake, too, as there is evidence that drinking can also affect a man’s fertility.
Extremes in Weight
Being overweight or underweight can also affect one’s fertility. Extremes in weight could make a woman stop ovulating altogether. Problems in weight can also increase risk of pregnancy complications, so it is essential that a healthy weight must be maintained when trying to conceive.
Poor Dental Hygiene
Not many people know this but poor oral hygiene can affect a man’s sperm. If a woman has gum disease, it can also increase the risk of having a premature delivery or a low-birth-weight baby. If you have been careless with your dental appointments, it’s about time you get back on track.
Not Eating Vegetables
Medical experts agree that if a person’s body is in a healthy state, she is more likely to conceive. This is why it is important to maintain a healthy diet. Folic acid, a B-vitamin, can be found in leafy greens and this vitamin prevents birth defects. For a healthier pregnancy, do not forget to eat vegetables!
