One in every six couples in India face fertility problems. Do you have a friend or relative who has been trying to get pregnant for a long time, without success? “These will ease their stress and help them get pregnant faster,'' says Dr Lavanya Kiran, gynaecologist at Narayana Healthcare Women’s and Child Institute, Bengaluru, who shares some tips on the topic.
Eat healthy
While many couples don’t focus on this, food and fertility are closely linked. Help yourself conceive by consuming a balanced, nutritious diet of vegetables rich in vitamins and iron, like spinach and broccoli. Include whole grains (whole wheat, brown rice, millets) and protein-rich foods like paneer, eggs, fish and soya in your diet. Also, reduce the intake of processed foods, maida and sugar.
Be fit and active
By this, we definitely do not mean over-exerting yourself. But following a daily regime of moderate physical activity improves hormone balance, blood flow and maximises your chances of getting pregnant. Avoid straining yourself in order to stay slim; instead, maintain a healthy weight. Try brisk walking, light jogging, cycling and sports like swimming to help overcome infertility.
Track your fertile days using a fertility monitor
It is possible to get pregnant only during a few days every cycle. That is why it is important for couples to educate themselves about their most fertile days, as every woman has her own unique cycle, which is controlled by their hormone levels. Therefore, fertility monitors, which identify up to six fertile days of your cycle, can help you a lot. Fertility monitors from brands like Inito and Daysy are gaining popularity. These are do-at-home tests that can track your ovulation cycles easily and conveniently, and have been proven to increase chances of getting pregnant naturally.
Reduce stress and anxiety
We know how daunting the process of getting pregnant is. However, letting yourself get affected by the constant pressure of starting a family can affect the chances of getting pregnant. Stress and anxiety tend to reduce the release of fertility hormones, and can even suppress ovulation. So, the next time you think your stress levels are touching the roof, try meditation or yoga to calm your nerves.
Share your feelings and talk about it
Building up emotions within oneself is not ideal. Talking about it to your partner or a confidante will not only help you relieve yourself of the pent-up tension, but they might be in a better position to share a viable solution. Many times, talking to friends and family, and sharing your inner thoughts, can help you combat bouts of anxiety.
Reduce caffeine and stop alcohol consumption
Cutting down on caffeine and eliminating alcohol can also improve your chances of conception. While moderate amounts of tea or coffee is safe, you shouldn’t have too much. Alcohol, on the other hand, is definitely a 'no' by all means and can aggravate problems like irregular periods and lack of ovulation.
Fertility issues are very widespread these days and affect millions of couples in India. These simple tips of following a healthy lifestyle and tracking fertile days using monitors can go a long way in helping couples conceive naturally.