Falling pregnant is often an incredibly exciting time in your life. Some babies will show up as wonderful surprises, and others are the result of careful planning by their parents. But for some moms-to-be, conceiving can seem harder than it should.
If you’ve been battling to fall pregnant for an extended time, you should see a doctor to check if there are infertility issues. If there is no clear reason for your struggle to conceive, there are a few things you can do to help your body naturally become more fertile.
Here are some of the best options for falling pregnant naturally.
How to get pregnant naturally
In order to fall pregnant, you need regular ovulation and periods, since this is the most important bodily function when it comes to having a baby.
How to increase and regulate ovulation naturally
Keeping healthy will help your body regulate a natural ovulation cycle. This means you should try to:
- Eat well
- Exercise
- Slow down on alcohol intake
- Cut back on caffeine
- Aim to quit smoking if you do
What to eat to get pregnant: Foods to boost fertility
A balanced diet could boost your chances of falling pregnant and having a healthy baby.
Here are some fertility-boosting foods to incorporate into your diet:
Oysters and fertility
These are a great source of zinc, which is great for good-quality eggs. Other zinc-friendly foods include poultry, dairy, nuts, whole grains, and legumes.
Can berries boost pregnancy chances?
Full of antioxidants, berries protect you from cell ageing and cell damage, which in turn bolsters your fertility.
Dairy to increase pregnancy chances
Milk, yoghurt, and cheese are good for your bone health and reproductive health.
Lean animal protein
These are good sources of iron, which is important for fertility. Choose meat without visible fats and opt for three protein servings a day.
Lentils and fertility
If you’re a vegetarian, great protein sources include legumes such as lentils and chickpeas, beans, seeds, and nuts.
Important Omega-3s for fertility
Salmon, herring, sardines and pilchards are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which facilitate increased blood flow to reproductive organs and can help to regulate your cycle. You can also find omega-3s in flaxseed, almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and eggs enriched with omegas.
ALSO READ: The signs you’re about to ovulate & how to calculate your fertile window
Citrus fruit
They’re full of vitamin C, calcium, and folate, a B-vitamin that helps to regulate ovulation and creates a healthy environment for eggs.
Potatoes hold a fertility super-power
Baked potatoes are a good source of vitamin C and are believed to be useful for treating luteal phase defects, which is when ovaries don’t release enough progesterone.
Shellfish gives you plenty of vitamin B12
Full of vitamin B12, shellfish helps to line the endometrium in women.
Bananas improve fertility
These can help improve fertility as they’re full of potassium and B6.
Slow-release carbs to help you fall pregnant naturally
High insulin levels are shown to inhibit ovulation, so it’s advisable to eat low GI or slow-release carbs that are digested slowly and have a slower effect on blood sugar and insulin. Examples include whole-grain bread, rolled oats, lentils, quinoa, and sweet potatoes.
ALSO READ: Conversations you need to have with your partner BEFORE you start a family
Fertility-boosting foods for men
Don’t forget about your partner’s diet, since he’s 50% of the baby equation. Zinc-rich foods such as oysters, poultry, shellfish, nuts, beans, and fortified breakfast cereals can help to regulate sperm count and motility.
Folate has also been linked to sperm health. Good sources include green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, whole grains, peas, and fruit, especially citrus fruit.
Other foods good for sperm motility are brazil nuts and garlic (selenium), and vegetables, fish, and poultry (vitamin E).
Fertility supplements South Africa
It’s recommended to take a daily multivitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid and 40 – 80 milligrams of iron if you’re trying to fall pregnant. You can find these at most pharmacies like Clicks or Dischem.
How to increase your chances of falling pregnant
If you’re trying to increase your chances of getting pregnant, it’s important to know your body. If something feels wrong, rather check in with your doctor and make sure everything is okay.
Getting exercise, eating the right foods, and keeping your body healthy and thriving are the best ways to increase ovulation naturally. And, of course, knowing your ovulation cycle and making sure you’re having sex at the correct time is also incredibly valuable.
If you’re still battling to conceive, there are other options. Take a look at this post on adoption in South Africa.
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