4 Things You Should Think About Before Conceiving

Trying to conceive can be both an exciting and a stressful time for prospective parents.

The health of both future Mum and future Dad are important to maximise your chances of a successful pregnancy. Naturopath and nutritionist Teresa Mitchell-Paterson shares four things to consider before conception, to help pave the way for a healthy pregnancy.

Start before you ‘start’

Many eggs develop per month, whilst only one is released each cycle. The life cycle of an oocyte is three months.

Healthy oocytes are needed to boost your chances of falling pregnant, so I’d recommend visiting your healthcare practitioner three to six months before trying to conceive, for a check-up to see if you have any nutrient or vitamin deficiencies.

Harness healthy habits

A healthy BMI for both Mum and Dad can be important for a successful conception. In the three to six months prior to pregnancy it’s time to clean up your diet and lifestyle habits.

I recommend consuming spinach and broccoli for folic acid; seaweed, dairy and eggs for iodine; lean meat, seafood and nuts for zinc and essential fatty acids; and leafy green veggies and red meat for iron. Regular physical activity is also beneficial for mental, physical, and reproductive health.

Nourish with nutrients

Metabolically active forms of folic acid and vitamin B6 may provide an extensive nutritional foundation during preconception, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Choline is also required for normal healthy neurodevelopment of the growing foetus. Supplements that help support the methylation and expression of DNA may also be beneficial in pre-pregnancy and pregnancy for both mother and baby. Ask your healthcare professional’s advice about supplements that may best support your pregnancy needs.

Ask your HCP

While pregnant, your body is in overdrive creating a magnificent little human being inside you.

See your healthcare practitioner before conception for a health check, and to advise on the form, dose and timing of quality vitamin or mineral supplements. Checking in with your healthcare practitioner will make sure you’ll benefit from supplements you might need, and not wasting money on supplements you don’t.

Do you know anyone who has just announced a pregnancy? Share how you found out in the comments below!

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16 Comments

- - mom19782016 said
  - 18 Jan 2018
    8:11 pm
Good tips. I would say as well just try not to get so wound up about conceiving – it just makes it stressful and less likely to happen.

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 05 Jan 2018
    7:40 pm
Another important tip to note is: RELAX! Hubby and I were so hung up about trying for our first and also using an ovulation kit, etc. because we were hoping to have a girl (if you work out exactly when you are ovulating you can try to pre-determine gender). In the end we decided just to stop trying to have a baby but not try not to have one. Our daughter was conceived shortly after.

- - ella12 said
  - 21 Nov 2017
    11:09 am
Worthwhile points to consider, however things don’t always happen like this.

- - tessie said
  - 18 Nov 2017
    10:07 am
These are all great hints but sometimes things happen and you don’t have time to prepare earlier.

- - rovermum said
  - 15 Nov 2017
    11:00 am
All great tips, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen that way.

- - Ellen said
  - 15 Nov 2017
    7:54 am
We never “tried” to conceive as such, but a healthy nutritious diet & lifestyle is always good !

- - rachel1970 said
  - 14 Nov 2017
    7:52 pm
some very good advice here.

- - hopefullyheidi said
  - 06 Oct 2017
    10:29 pm
I see a really cute and unique photo posted by a couple expecting their second child. They picture was of their just over 1 year old holding a sign in his cot saying something like “Eviction Notice” and then the pregnancy announcement.

- - taynik46 said
  - 24 Sep 2017
    10:27 am
I think the best way to conceive is to not actually “plan it” – just let nature do it’s thing – I think there is to much stress if you “force” yourself to conceive – it’s too much emotional stress on both parties and if it doesn’t work that first time then the stress gets higher and can become worse. we didn’t plan or really think about falling pregnant – it just happened – then I went onto taking care of my body and baby as soon as I knew.

- - country chick said
  - 17 Sep 2017
    10:00 pm
Most pregnancies are announced via social media these days…

- - mom160421 said
  - 15 Sep 2017
    10:42 am
Very good advice. I think it’s also important to not stress about getting pregnant.

- - Ellen said
  - 15 Sep 2017
    8:00 am
Personally I think it’s best to eat always nutritious and to stop “trying” to conceive, just relax in making love and you will conceive.

- - mom93821 said
  - 14 Sep 2017
    5:00 pm
Conceiving can be a mixed experience for many couples.

- - mom206279 said
  - 14 Sep 2017
    2:12 pm
This doesn’t really help the guilts felt by those with unexplained infertility.
- Ellen replied
  
  05 Jan 2018 , 2:40 am
  True !
- - mom90758 said
  - 14 Sep 2017
    12:26 pm
Folic acid supplements is the only thing my doctor advised me to take during the infertility treatment. I had an healthy BMI and of course I didn’t smoke or drink since the start of the treatment.