How to Prepare Your Body for Conception

You are at the start of your journey towards parenthood, so preparing your body for pregnancy is probably at the front of your mind. We are sure you know from speaking with your friends and family that no journey towards starting a family is the same. However, there are important steps that you and your partner can take to improve your chance of conception.

It's never too early to start preparing your body for pregnancy, and it has long been advised that people trying to get pregnant should maintain a healthy lifestyle and reduce their exposure to harmful substances. This advice is not just to get the female body ready for conception but to improve male fertility and the health of sperm to support conception. Remember, both you and your partner should be getting your bodies as healthy as possible while you are preparing to conceive. 

Follow The IVF Network

Healthy lifestyle

Having a healthy lifestyle is a holistic endeavour. So, whether you are between pregnancies or taking your first steps towards starting a family, preparing your body and mind for pregnancy can increase your chances of having a healthy baby.

Physical exercise

Recommendations vary depending on the intensity of the workout. However, a good rule of thumb for adults to get around 2 1/2 hours of moderate-intensity exercise a week or around 30 minutes a day.

If you are starting from square one with your physical health, going on brisk walks is a great way to get started.

Physical activity helps to maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of premature birth and reduce high blood pressure.

High blood pressure can cause problems during pregnancy and, in severe cases, can limit the amount of blood that gets to your growing baby. 

Talk to your health care provider if you are at risk of:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Injury
• Disability
• Damaging recent surgery

Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for preparing your body for pregnancy. Being underweight, overweight or obese will increase the risk of having complications, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain types of cancer.

Diabetes occurs when there is too much sugar in the blood. This can then damage the kidneys, eyes and nerves.

It's not necessarily a good idea to lose weight during pregnancy, so having a healthy weight before you become pregnant is a good goal.

Sleep

Sleep is the foundation that the rest of your healthy lifestyle is built on. If you don't get good quality sleep, you will notice the impact on your healthy eating and your willingness to do exercise.

Stress and mental well-being

Feeling mentally healthy is crucial for your journey into parenthood. Take the time to find ways to manage your stress. Try yoga, meditation, deep-breathing exercises, or any other activity that brings you joy.

If you feel emotions, such as anxiety, stress or depression, for an extended period of time or to the extent that they interfere with your daily...