5 Tips to Help You Prepare for Pregnancy

If you're thinking about trying for a baby, you might be wondering if there's anything you can do to support your body and improve your chances of conceiving. While it's important to acknowledge that some aspects of fertility may be beyond your control, being well-informed about your body and your general health can empower you to make choices that can positively impact your reproductive health. Here are five things we’d advise you to do, ahead of trying for a baby.

1. Make an Appointment with Your Doctor

Visiting a doctor with expertise in women's health and fertility is an important first step in preparing for pregnancy. Your doctor can offer personalised guidance that is tailored to your age, medical history and lifestyle. During your appointment, you can discuss various factors that may impact fertility, including diet, weight, medications, and your job. If the work you do is stressful, for example, or you’re often required to work long hours, or on night shifts, your doctor will be able to help you to find ways to manage stress, and ensure that you can get the rest you need.

Additionally, your doctor will be able to ensure that you're up-to-date on essential health screenings, tests, and vaccinations. Regular check-ups can help identify any underlying health issues that might affect your ability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. By working closely with your doctor, you can address any concerns as early on as possible, which can help to improve your overall health before you start trying to conceive.

2. Look Carefully at Your Diet  

It’s no surprise that nutrition plays a significant role in reproductive health, both for women and men. A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients can help to support fertility and increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy. While it’s important not to stress and obsess about everything you eat, knowing about the foods that contain the most nutrients can be really helpful when you’re trying to conceive, especially when you are food shopping and meal planning.

Key nutrients for fertility and pregnancy include folate, iron, calcium, and vitamin D. Incorporating foods such as leafy greens, lean proteins, whole grains, and full-fat dairy products into your daily diet can help ensure you're meeting your nutritional needs. You might also consider taking a prenatal supplement to fill in any nutritional gaps; this will typically contain the optimum levels of folic acid, which is vital for early pregnancy development and can help prevent birth defects. It’s a good idea to start taking folic acid before you are pregnant, as it’s most crucial in the earliest weeks of pregnancy, and will be doing important work from day one.

3. Continue With the Exercise You Love - or Take Up Something New  

It’s no secret that staying active is beneficial for both your physical and mental well-being at all stages of life, and this doesn’t change during preconception or pregnancy. Whether you enjoy jogging, swimming, yoga, or simply taking brisk walks, find activities that you genuinely enjoy, that you can incorporate easily into your routine. Regular exercise can help maintain a healthy weight, reduce stress, and improve overall fitness, all of which can be helpful when you’re trying to get pregnant.

If you're not already involved in any regular form of exercise, now is an excellent time to explore different ways to keep moving. Remember that moderation is key, and it's essential to listen to your body's signals and avoid overexertion. Aim for a balanced approach that includes a mix of cardiovascular, strength training, and flexibility, to support your overall well-being without pushing yourself to the limit.

4. Make an Appointment for a Fertility Scan

Whether you're just beginning your fertility journey, or you have been trying to conceive for some time, a fertility scan can provide valuable information to help guide your next steps.

Understanding your reproductive health is essential when planning for pregnancy. If you haven't had a gynaecological ultrasound scan recently, consider making an appointment with our qualified sonographer. A transvaginal ultrasound scan can give you valuable insights into your uterine health, ovarian reserve, and ovulation patterns – all of which play an important role in conception.

You don’t need a referral to have a fertility scan at our clinic, and during your appointment, you’ll be given a detailed insight into all areas of your reproductive health. From evaluating your ovarian reserve, to helping you to understand when you’re ovulating (and therefore when you’re most likely to conceive during your cycle), the sonographer will look at your individual needs and address any potential barriers to fertility, such as fibroids, or irregular ovulation.

5. Consider Your Partner's Health

While many people believe that it’s mainly a woman’s health that matters when making a baby, it’s vital to remember that conception requires both sperm, and egg. With this in mind, it's equally important for your partner to look at their reproductive health and well-being. This might include a fertility check-up with a doctor, who might also request a sperm sample.

Sperm testing will take in factors such as sperm count, motility, and morphology, all of which can impact male fertility. Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and exposure to environmental toxins can also impact sperm count and quality. By addressing any potential concerns and making lifestyle adjustments as needed, both you and your partner can work together to optimise your chances of conceiving.

Above all, parenthood is a unique and personal experience – and thankfully, there are now many different ways to build a family. Whether you conceive naturally, or look into IVF, IUI, or surrogacy to help you have a baby, it’s good to know that our doctors are here to support you at every stage.

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If you would like to make an appointment at our London clinic, please call 020 7244 4200 or make an appointment online.