THE ABCS OF GETTING PREGNANT

From a young age we have lessons in how not to get pregnant but conceiving isn’t as easy as you think, particularly as more women are waiting until later life to start a family. The following is an ABC guide to increasing your chancing of getting pregnant from acupuncturist Angela Wallis at Woodside Acupuncture Clinic, Eastbourne.

A is for acupuncture. Acupuncture can help regulate your menstrual cycle, relax the body and reduce stress levels which can all increase your chances of conceiving.

B is for basal body temperature. An easy way to find out when you ovulate is to take and record your body temperature on a daily basis for at least two months. Changes in your temperature will tell you when ovulation has taken place and if an embryo has successfully implanted.

C is for cutting back on caffeine and alcohol. The Food Standards Agency recommends that pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake, so as part of your preparation for pregnancy start to wean yourself off it. Don’t forget caffeine can be found in chocolate and fizzy drinks, as well as tea and coffee.

D is for drugs. Make sure you only take prescribed medication and avoid recreational drugs if you’re trying to conceive.

E is for exercise. It's a good idea to be as close as possible to your recommended weight when trying for a baby as being overweight or underweight can reduce your chances of conceiving. (NCCWCH 2004: 28-9, Nice 2010: 10)

F is for folic acid. If you are trying to conceive you should take a supplement of 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid (DOH 2004, NCCWCH 2004: 32). This important B vitamin reduces the risk of your baby being born with neural tube defects such as spina bifida. You should take this from the time you stop using contraception until the 12th week of pregnancy.

G is for GP. Before you plan to conceive make an appointment with your GP to discuss your health history.

H is for have fun with sex. Many couples fall into the trap of having sex simply to conceive. Don’t lose sight of the fact it should be fun and not a chore.

I for IVF. If you have any health conditions that may affect your ability to conceive such as polycystic ovarian syndrome visit your GP and find out what your choices are.

J is for jump for joy. A relaxed, positive approach to life can sometimes help you conceive

K is for kits - ovulation kits. A wide range of ovulation monitoring kits are also available to help you time intercourse, these can be particularly useful if you have a very irregular cycle.

L is for lifestyle choices.

M is for monthly cycle. It’s important to be in tune with your monthly cycle. Make a note of the day your period starts, changes in body temperature and also bodily fluids such as cervical mucus production.

N is for nutrition. It’s recommended to eat a healthy, balanced diet while trying to conceive, including fruits and vegetables, protein in the form of lean meats, complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, bread and potatoes and dairy foods which contain calcium.

O is for ovulation. Check for signs of ovulation such as changes in your cervical fluid. When cervical mucus is produced in greater quantities and when it is stretchy in texture, it means you are ovulating and therefore are most fertile. But if cervical mucus is dry and being produced in lesser amounts, you are less fertile.

P is for pesticides and plastics. Avoid as much as possible any foods which have been grown using pesticides. Also avoid drinks contained in plastic bottles and any packaged foods.

Q is for quit smoking. It’s well-reported that smoking may harm your baby during pregnancy and can lead to miscarriage, low birth weight and birth defects so it’s a good idea to quit well in advance.

R is for relax. Stress is one of the largest causes of infertility in the UK so try and adapt your lifestyle to ensure you are as relaxed as possible. Trying to conceive can be a stressful time for some couples so making your life as stress-free will help.

S is for switch. If you have been using hormonal methods of contraception, switch to natural family planning to assist your chances of conceiving.

T is for toxic chemicals. Many personal hygiene and cleaning products contain chemicals that can disrupt hormones so try and avoid those containing parabens and sodium laurel sulphates (SLS).

U is for understanding your cycle. You should be aware of how your body works and exactly what your body is doing at every step of your monthly cycle. Get to know the telltale sign of when you ovulate as that is when you should be having sex with your partner.

V is for vitamin supplement. While you should be able to meet all your nutritional needs with a healthy, balanced diet, experts say a multivitamin can be helpful. Look out for specialist antenatal vitamins which are formulated for mums-to-be.

W is for wear boxers. Men should wear light, cotton boxers rather than tight briefs as this reduces the risk of their testicles overheating which can lead to sperm damage.

X is for getting those X chromosomes together with those Y chromosomes.

Y is for your decision. A child demands a lifetime of commitment so it’s important before you decide to have a baby to discuss with your partner what you are about to face together.

Z is for ZZZZZZ. A good quality night’s sleep is essential for making sure your body is in peak condition so do all you can to get into a routine.

To find out more information book a free 15 minute consultation with Angela on 01323 638606.