5 Hacks For A Healthier Conception

According to the NHS, 92% of couples aged 19-26 having regular sex without contraception will get pregnant within 1 year, and 98% will get pregnant after 2 years. If you’re aged 25-39, 82% will get pregnant within 1 year, and around 90% will fall pregnant after 2 years.

‘Regular sex’ means having sex every 2-3 days throughout the month and is the most effective way to get pregnant. Whilst some couples will try to plan sex around ovulation, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises that this can be stressful and therefore doesn’t recommend it.

But whilst you’re trying to conceive, there’s work you can do to improve your pre-conception health. Not only is this good for you now and good for your future pregnancy, focusing on the things you can control, like your fitness, can help you take your mind off the pressures of TTC.

We're sharing the 5 hacks for improving your preconception health now, and why it matters so much for a healthy pregnancy to come…

1. Get serious with your current fitness routine

Now is the time to do a proper check in on your current fitness routine; because what you're doing now will set the foundation for prenatal workouts to come.

If you've been on our pages for more than a minute you'll know we're all about helping women maintain a full fitness routine while pregnant -- because staying active while expecting is so beneficial to the mother's health and baby's wellbeing down the line. But guess what's not very fun: starting up a regular exercise routine after you get pregnant. That's why it's so important to get into a good rhythm with your workouts before you conceive. Set an attainable weekly goal, focus on a moderate intensity level, and focus on building a habit of sticking to your goal in this TTC period. It will make the transition into prenatal workouts easier, more enjoyable, and more effective.

2. Take a look at potential toxins

If we tried to avoid all potential toxins and chemicals we'd have to live in a plastic bubble -- and that's just no fun. But it's really important to be extra mindful of potential toxin exposure at this time.

Now is the perfect time to cleanse your makeup bag, skincare products, or household cleaning items that contain clear cut 'nasties'. There are a lot of chemicals you can look out for when going totally clean, but for a simple start look for the top three bad boys: phthalates, parabens, and formaldehyde. Be sure to give a read of ingredient lists and give a heave-ho to anything that includes any one of these 3 ingredients. Studies show that exposure to such chemicals are associated with decreased fertility and are potentially harmful to the early stages of fetal development.

3. Prioritize your present moment

As you're planning for your pregnancy, try to release the idea of following a strict timeline. It may take longer than you expect, or it could come sooner than you anticipate.

We know that if you're actively trying to conceive you'll be paying a lot of attention to your fertile windows, basal body temperature, period days -- all the things. But getting too caught up in timelines can lead to disappointment and feeling as though you lack control, and that just adds to stress and tension. To take your mind off of such timelines and into a more positive place, try to focus on the now. Bring your attention to your present moment and what brings you joy. Daily gratitude practice is a great way to incorporate this into your life. How can you get started? Simply start and end each day by writing down 1 thing you are grateful for.

4. Familiarize yourself with prenatal vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are for pregnancy, right? Well, it's a good idea to start getting the nutrients you need most in the early weeks of pregnancy before you actually conceive.

In general, women who are planning for pregnancy are recommended to start taking prenatal vitamins even before they start trying to conceive. However, we want to make it clear that you should talk to your doctor before starting any supplementation. They'll be able to advise you on what's best for your situation, your unique health profile, and guide you on what prenatal vitamins they'd recommend and would be readily accessible to you. That said, it's really important to be aware of folate (folic acid) when you're TTC as many women are low in this vitamin and healthy levels are critical for the successful earliest stages of fetal development. The good news is you can up your folate intake by adding lots of leafy greens, legumes, asparagus, citrus fruits, and broccoli to your diet.

5. Make it all about teamwork

It takes two to make a baby! The health of your partner has just as big of an impact on a successful conception and a healthy pregnancy.

All of the things we talked about above go for your partner too! Your guy's health impacts his fertility and the quality of his sperm, and don't forget you're both putting your equal half into this baby-making business! Healthy lifestyle modifications that contribute to improved fertility (including reducing alcohol intake, reducing caffeine intake, exercising moderately and regularly, maintaining a balanced diet rich in veggies and lean protein sources, and reducing stress where possible) will make the biggest difference when you're both working on them together. You're going into this new adventure as a team, so there's no better time to focus on teamwork and work on building healthier habits together.

Got a burning question about fertility and trying to conceive? Leave it in the comments!

Have you tried Baby2Body’s Trying To Conceive Program? Our personalized coaching experience can help you get as healthy as possible before you become pregnant -- so you can give yourself and your baby the best chances for a healthy journey ahead.

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