Kezzamunster
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2010
- Messages
- 7,091
- Reaction score
- 0
Hey ladies
I picked up my free copy of the 'Health & Beauty' magazine from Boots & there's an article in there titled as above so I thought I'd write everything down in a thread
Step 1: SUPERCHARGE YOUR DIET - As well as a balanced, varied diet......
FOR HER: All women trying to conceive are advised to take a daily supplement of 400mcg of folic acid - until the 12th week of pregnancy - to help maintain normal neural tube development
FOR HIM: 'Selenium, zinc & vitamins C & E have each been implicated in supporting healthy sperm' says Dr Jonathan Lord, consultant in obstetrics & gynaecology at the Royal Cornwall Hospital & spokesman in the British Fertility Society. Rich sources include salmon, turkey & nuts as well as male fertility supplements
Step 2: STUB IT OUT - 'Smoking affects fertility, no matter which one of you smokes, so it's best to try & quit together' says Dr Jonathan Lord
FOR HER: Smoking doesn't just harm your unborn baby; nicotine interferes with the production of vital pregnancy hormones & has been found to impede the movement of the egg to the womb
FOR HIM: The sperm count of male smokers is up to 15% lower then those of non-smokers. Smoking also impairs semen production, sperm shape & motility
Step 3: DRINK LESS - Alcohol can have a huge effect on fertility in both men & women, so Vicky Pennington, Boots nutritionist says the best advice is simple 'Wean yourself off alcohol before trying to conceive'
FOR HER: The Chief Medical Officer advises that pregnant women or women trying to conceive should avoid drinking alcohol, while the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) particularly advises avoidance during the first three months of pregnancy, as it's linked with a risk of miscarriage. Vicky Pennington adds 'If you do have a drink, keep it to 1-2 units* of alcohol once or twice a week
FOR HIM: Drinking too much alcohol can alter the quality of sperm. Vicky Pennington says 'Men should drink moderately - no more then 3-4 units* of alcohol a day'
*1 unit is equivalent to half a small glass of wine or half pint of average strength beer
Step 4: GET MOVING - Exercise helps normalise hormone levels. 'A study of 67 women who weren't ovulating found that, when they followed a healthy eating & fitness programme, 60 resumed ovulating' says Dr Jonathan Lord
FOR HER: Staying fit will also help you cope better with the demands of pregnancy & labour, so start something now that you can carry on. Swimming or Yoga can be great workouts without impacting on your joints as your pregnancy progresses
FOR HIM: While lack of exercise is bad for your health, over-exercising can lower his levels of testosterone - the key male fertility hormone. 'A 30-minute workout four or five times a week is ideal' advises Dr Jonathan Lord
Step 5: BE WEIGHT AWARE - A BMI outside the 18.5-24.9 range can affect fertility in both sexes
FOR HER: With a BMI of 25 or more, Dr Jonathan Lord advises losing weight before trying for a baby, swapping fad diets for smaller portions & taking more exercise
FOR HIM: Encourage him to monitor his waist measurement. 'This is far more motivating for losing weight then stepping on the scales' says Dr Jonathan Lord
Step 6: .......& RELAX
Studies show that stress can affect the hypothalamus - the gland that regulates our hormones, including those that release eggs in women & testosterone in men. So take time to chill out
FOR HER & HIM: The more stressed you are, the less sex your likely to have, which won't do anything to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Remember, 80% of couples who have regular sex (every 2-3 days) & don't use contraception will get pregnant within a year. As Dr Jonathan Lord says 'Relax & enjoy this time & don't get stressed about it - the majority of you will go on to conceive & have a healthy pregnancy'
EXTRA ADVICE FOR HIM - STAY COOL - Elevated testicular temperature is associated with poorer quality semen, so it may help to encourage your man to avoid:
*Tight fitting underwear
*Spending too much time wearing Lycra, cycling shorts or wet suits
*Prolonged hot baths
Sitting still for long periods, especially on a cycle saddle
This may help some ladies so thought I'd share
xxxxxxx
I picked up my free copy of the 'Health & Beauty' magazine from Boots & there's an article in there titled as above so I thought I'd write everything down in a thread
Step 1: SUPERCHARGE YOUR DIET - As well as a balanced, varied diet......
FOR HER: All women trying to conceive are advised to take a daily supplement of 400mcg of folic acid - until the 12th week of pregnancy - to help maintain normal neural tube development
FOR HIM: 'Selenium, zinc & vitamins C & E have each been implicated in supporting healthy sperm' says Dr Jonathan Lord, consultant in obstetrics & gynaecology at the Royal Cornwall Hospital & spokesman in the British Fertility Society. Rich sources include salmon, turkey & nuts as well as male fertility supplements
Step 2: STUB IT OUT - 'Smoking affects fertility, no matter which one of you smokes, so it's best to try & quit together' says Dr Jonathan Lord
FOR HER: Smoking doesn't just harm your unborn baby; nicotine interferes with the production of vital pregnancy hormones & has been found to impede the movement of the egg to the womb
FOR HIM: The sperm count of male smokers is up to 15% lower then those of non-smokers. Smoking also impairs semen production, sperm shape & motility
Step 3: DRINK LESS - Alcohol can have a huge effect on fertility in both men & women, so Vicky Pennington, Boots nutritionist says the best advice is simple 'Wean yourself off alcohol before trying to conceive'
FOR HER: The Chief Medical Officer advises that pregnant women or women trying to conceive should avoid drinking alcohol, while the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) particularly advises avoidance during the first three months of pregnancy, as it's linked with a risk of miscarriage. Vicky Pennington adds 'If you do have a drink, keep it to 1-2 units* of alcohol once or twice a week
FOR HIM: Drinking too much alcohol can alter the quality of sperm. Vicky Pennington says 'Men should drink moderately - no more then 3-4 units* of alcohol a day'
*1 unit is equivalent to half a small glass of wine or half pint of average strength beer
Step 4: GET MOVING - Exercise helps normalise hormone levels. 'A study of 67 women who weren't ovulating found that, when they followed a healthy eating & fitness programme, 60 resumed ovulating' says Dr Jonathan Lord
FOR HER: Staying fit will also help you cope better with the demands of pregnancy & labour, so start something now that you can carry on. Swimming or Yoga can be great workouts without impacting on your joints as your pregnancy progresses
FOR HIM: While lack of exercise is bad for your health, over-exercising can lower his levels of testosterone - the key male fertility hormone. 'A 30-minute workout four or five times a week is ideal' advises Dr Jonathan Lord
Step 5: BE WEIGHT AWARE - A BMI outside the 18.5-24.9 range can affect fertility in both sexes
FOR HER: With a BMI of 25 or more, Dr Jonathan Lord advises losing weight before trying for a baby, swapping fad diets for smaller portions & taking more exercise
FOR HIM: Encourage him to monitor his waist measurement. 'This is far more motivating for losing weight then stepping on the scales' says Dr Jonathan Lord
Step 6: .......& RELAX
Studies show that stress can affect the hypothalamus - the gland that regulates our hormones, including those that release eggs in women & testosterone in men. So take time to chill out
FOR HER & HIM: The more stressed you are, the less sex your likely to have, which won't do anything to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Remember, 80% of couples who have regular sex (every 2-3 days) & don't use contraception will get pregnant within a year. As Dr Jonathan Lord says 'Relax & enjoy this time & don't get stressed about it - the majority of you will go on to conceive & have a healthy pregnancy'
EXTRA ADVICE FOR HIM - STAY COOL - Elevated testicular temperature is associated with poorer quality semen, so it may help to encourage your man to avoid:
*Tight fitting underwear
*Spending too much time wearing Lycra, cycling shorts or wet suits
*Prolonged hot baths
Sitting still for long periods, especially on a cycle saddle
This may help some ladies so thought I'd share
xxxxxxx