- Stop taking the contraceptive pill, or have your IUD removed, at least
3-6 months before you plan to start trying to conceive. Or try not to worry
if you don’t fall pregnant in the 3-6 months after stopping using
contraception.
- Be aware of possible symptoms of fertility problems - irregular periods,
heavy bleeding, unusual pains or discharge - and see your GP if necessary.
- Consider your partner’s fertility – is he wearing tight briefs, taking
hot baths etc. If so, it’s worth him taking action to improve his own
fertility.
- Check that you’re not overweight or underweight – both can affect your
hormonal balance and therefore your fertility
- Before you start trying to conceive, book in for a smear test, and have
a blood test to check your rubella immunity – see
Pre-Pregnancy Planning for more details.
- Check that you aren’t anaemic – if you have a diet that is low in iron,
or show any signs of anaemia, ask your GP for a blood test to check your
iron levels.
- Consider hair analysis - either through Marilyn Glenville - 0870 532
9244 or Farmacia - 020 7831 0830
- Try to eat fresh fish at least two times a week, and cut down red meat
and chicken to only once a week each. Eat plenty of fibre as well.
- Cut back on alcohol, or cut it out altogether. Avoid caffeine and
recreational drugs, and stop smoking – on average smokers take at least two
months longer to conceive
- Try eating an organic wholefood diet, with plenty of fruit and
vegetables. The Natural Solutions for Infertility book will help you make
changes to your diet, see
here for more details or call Foresight on 01483 427839
- Buy organic milk and yoghurt to avoid the hormone residues in standard
cows milk. Live bio-yoghurt will also help strengthen your immune system
- Keep your blood sugar level by avoiding sugars and eating lots of small
wholefood meals.
- Include EFA (essential fatty acids) in your diet - use cold pressed
unrefined nut oil to make salad dressings or use organic olive oil, or take
EFA supplements.
- Both you and your partner should consider taking pre-conception vitamins
and minerals. Contact Zita West on 0870 166 8899, or Marilyn Glenville on
0870 532 9244
- Get to know your cycle and when you're ovulating – see
here to find out more about fertility charting. Make love every other
day through your fertile period to maximise your chances.
- Take some exercise – little and often is more effective than one long
workout a week.
- Some experts believe you should avoid using tampons – read our articles
on
Cloth Pads and
Mooncups to find out about the alternatives.
- Minimise your exposure to pollution wherever possible.
- Herbal medicine can help - agnus castus can be used to treat female
hormonal imbalance. Milk thistle boosts liver function and can help
fertility by improving your body’s ability to process toxins. Call the
National Institute of Medical Herbalists for more information - 01392 426
022.
- Homeopathy and Acupuncture treat the body as a whole, and can have some
success in treating fertility. Consider also alternative therapies such as
reflexology
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