How to Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy – 5 Fertility Tips
How Are You Preparing Your Body to Get Pregnant?
A healthy pregnancy isn’t just about being pregnant, it’s about preparing your body to get pregnant! Even if you’re not trying to get pregnant now, you should learn how to prepare your body for pregnancy so you can easily conceive in the future.
First, a quip about pregnancy from actress Kate Winslet:
“I did a lot of walking during the pregnancy and I had a wonderful, much longed-for natural delivery,” says Winselt. “I was in labor 24 hours and he came out completely beautifully. It was a triumphant birth and it laid a lot of ghosts to rest for me. It was incredible to experience being able to do it totally naturally.”
Exercise is one of the best ways to keep your body ready to conceive and deliver babies. To learn more about a healthy pregnancy, read Before Your Pregnancy: A 90 Day Guide for Couples on How to Prepare for a Healthy Conception by Amy Ogle and Lisa Mazzullo.
And here are five ways to achieve a healthy pregnancy…
How to Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy – 5 Fertility Tips
These are basic tips for preparing your body to get pregnant (hence, “fertility foundations“!). For more in-depth tips, read Tips on How to Get Pregnant – Not Just Fertility Foods.
Eat foods that increase your fertility levels
Eating a balanced, nutritious diet isn’t just good for your waistline and brain cells – it affects your eggs, menstrual cycle, and ovulation surges. Foods that increase your fertility levels include healthy unsaturated fats such as nuts, olive oil, and avocados, can prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy.
Take care of your health problems
Diabetes, thyroid disease, ovarian syndromes, and endometriosis can all affect your chances of conceiving a baby. Explore natural treatments for your health issues, if possible, and always ask your doctor if the medications he or she is prescribing will affect your current or future chances of a healthy pregnancy.
If your cycle isn’t regular, read When You Can’t Predict Your Periods and Want to Get Pregnant.
Stress less
According to Women’s Health magazine (June 2008), “stress interferes with the brain’s bulletins that tell your ovaries to do their monthly job of rolling out an egg.” Chronic stress can interfere with your menstrual cycle, egg hatching, and ovulation phases – and it can even cause bodily changes that make you think you’re ovulating, when you’re not.
To prepare your body for a pregnancy, practice healthy stress reduction techniques — and read How Stress Leads to Infertility.
Stop smoking (an obvious way to prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy!)
“Smoking constricts blood vessels, including those that feed the ovaries, which accelerates the loss of eggs,” says Dr Sherman Silber of the Infertilty Center of St. Louis (he also wrote How to Get Pregnant). “Sure, women who smoke can get pregnant – when they’re young. But smoking can cause you to become infertile earlier than you would as a nonsmoker.” (Again, this is from Women’s Health magazine.)
Deal with STDs
Sexually transmitted diseases can block fallopian tubes because of possible scarring…so if you’re actively intimate with different people, make sure you’re tested regularly. The sooner you treat STDs, the less likely they’ll decrease your chances of getting pregnant.
Got Fibroids, Ovarian Cysts, or a Yeast Infection? Natural Resources…
- Eliminate Ovarian Cysts and PCOS Naturally
- Cure Yeast Infections and Balance Your Hormones
- 3 Steps to Getting Rid of Fibroids Holistically
To learn more about healthy pregnancy, read Tips on How to Get Pregnant – Not Just Fertility Foods.
If you have any questions or thoughts on these ways to prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy, please comment below!
Category: Health & Wellness, Pregnancy Tips
Helen,
Thanks for your insights!
Many of us women mistreat our bodies in ways that have long-term effects on our health. You’re right: even teens and women in their early 20s need to know ways to prepare their bodies for healthy pregnancies — even if they don’t plan on getting pregnant for another decade!
Blessings,
Laurie
Thanks for these tips on preparing your body for a healthy pregnancy. I didn’t start trying to get pregnant until I was 35, and by then it was too late to undo the damage of smoking, not exercising, and letting my health problems go untreated. I had problem periods for years but ignored them. So thank you for these tips! I hope teenagers and young women in their 20s read this, even if they’re not ready to get pregnant yet.
Dear Alicia,
Yes, you can have another healthy pregnancy! If you’re doing all the above, you’re on the right track. And, I think the best way to prepare your body for another baby is to talk to a different ob-gyn or even a naturopathic physician, to get a second opinion on getting pregnant.
Also, maintaining a healthy pregnancy – or preparing your body to get pregnant – isn’t about what you do. That is, sometimes nature needs to do her job…which sadly can involve miscarriages. No matter what you do, Mother Nature may do what she needs to do.
And remember: you got pregnant and had a healthy pregnancy three years ago! Your body knows what to do…it’s just a question of the right timing.
I wish you all the best.
Blessings,
Laurie
I recently miscarried at 14-15 weeks. The cause was unknown. I was wondering how what I can do to mantain a healthy pregnancy? I have a 2 year old son and it was a healthy pregnany and he was a good sized baby, 9 lbs 5 oz. Will I ever have another healthy baby? Im desperate to have another healthy baby again…
Thanks.
Hi Whitney,
Yes, I think it’s definitely still possible for you to get pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy!
I wrote this article for you:
Will Scar Tissue From STDs Stop You From Getting Pregnant?
And, regarding irregular periods, read:
How to Get Pregnant When You Have Irregular Periods
I hope this helps! And, keep the faith, my friend. You can still conceive a baby – you just need to figure out how the STD affected your body.
Blessings,
Laurie
Hello, I have had the same STD twice the past couple years. My husband and I really want to conceive. I have always had irregular periods ever since I started for the first time. But we have been having sex alot to hopefully make my chances a little bit higher of getting pregnant. I had my period and then 14 days later we had sex hoping that would work. But I guess what my question is, do u think it’s possible for me to get pregnant since I would have all that scar tissue from those STDs I had?
Dear Kanisha,
I’m sorry I missed your comment! I agree that overweight women can get pregnant.My friend is overweight and even though her doctor told her to lose weight before she got pregnant, she conceived and had a healthy pregnancy.
Are you still around, Kanisha? If so, let me know and I’ll post a few articles and tips…
Blessings,
Laurie
Ok, so my husband & I have tried to become pregnant for the past year. I am overweight but I have seen many overweight couples become pregnant. I have never had any serious health issues other than my I weight. My friend said that I should try geritol tonic because that was how she became pregnant with her 3. I really do want a child & I pray that it comes soon. What should I do? I feel so helpless……..
Hi Shannel,
I’m sorry to hear it’s taking you so long to get pregnant! It’s frustrating — I know.
Has your partner been tested for sperm count, quality, etc? When couples can’t get pregnant, it’s a male fertility issue about 33% of the time.
I encourage you to talk to your partner about what he can do to prepare his body for a healthy pregnancy…because there are things he can do to improve sperm count.
Blessings,
Laurie
Hey Laurie;
I have been tryin to get pregnant for the pass two years. got tested for STD’s, blocked tubes. Dr. said everything was fine. I don’t know what to do next.I am frustrated I need help. what do you think i can take or do to help?…..help me plz
Hello Vidhya,
I don’t know of any gel that can help you, but I encourage you to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Ask about lubricants that do NOT contain spermicide, as it will destroy the sperm that can get you pregnant!
My best advice is to go to your pharmacy, chemist, or drugstore. Talk to a qualified pharmacist about the best lubricants.
You might also talk to a doctor, about scar tissue that may be left over from your earlier procedures. Scar tissue can cause pain during intercourse, and it can prevent pregnancy.
Good luck getting pregnant; I hope it happens fast!
Blessings,
Laurie
i had 1 DNC & 1 missed abotion,when we try i feel very dry all the times,becoz of that at times i avoid sex scaring of pain. but very badly i want a baby,plz suggest me some jel to apply.
Hi Rasheda,
I feel for you; I know how frustrating and disappointing it is to keep trying to get pregnant, and keep getting your period! Two years is a long time.
From your comment, I can’t tell if you’ve seen a fertility doctor. If you haven’t, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible. He or she can help you make the right decision about clomid to increase your fertility.
You need to figure out the cause of your inability to get pregnant. Is it because you’re overweight? I don’t know…but coincidentally, I just posted an article about a woman who couldn’t get pregnant and who was overweight. She had polycystic ovarian syndrome for 10 years, and didn’t know it. That disorder causes weight gain and can prevent women from getting pregnant. And, it’s often overlooked by doctors.
Here’s the link to my article about polycystic ovarian syndrome:
Can I Get Pregnant If I Have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
I don’t know what (if any) your health issues are, but I encourage you to listen to your doctor’s advice. Maybe it’s just a matter of losing weight…which is difficult, but you can do it! And, maybe it’s a matter of asking about PCOS and seeing what your doctor says…
I wish you all the best, and hope you come back and let me know how things are going.
Blessings,
Laurie
I am in so much turmoil because i want a baby!!!! and i need help i am overweight, a diabetic, and i have irregular periods but i am dying to hsve a baby. I have been trying now for 2 years and i think i want to try clomid is this a wise choice if not just throw out suggestions and not just lose weight cause i have heard it so many times and i did that part but now im getting aggrivated more and more cause i want a baby.
Hi Abigail,
That’s the million dollar question that so many women ask — can I get pregnant? I’m afraid I can’t answer that, but there are definitely things you can do to improve your chances.
First, I think most doctors recommend losing weight. Get your body mass index in a healthy range.
And yes, taking a prenatal vitamin is great. I also encourage you to get a couple books about pregnancy, either from the library or your local bookstore. There are some incredibly popular ones, such as “Taking Charge of Your Fertility” and “The Fertility Diet” — the book covers are on this page, up a little and to the right.
And, track your ovulation. If you need info on ovulation timing and ovulation predictor kits, just do a search for “ovulation” in my search box at the top of this page. It’ll give you links to all sorts of articles about knowing when the best time to conceive is.
I hope this helps, and that you get pregnant soon!
Laurie
Im 30 yrs old and my boyfriend and I have decided to get pregnant. I have had irregular periods from the time I have started puberty. I have been to doctor’s done tons of tests from ultrasounds to blood tests and everything is “normal”. However, I am overweight and my periods when they do come they are long and sometimes heavy. Since I want to concieve I have started taking a prenatal multivitamin, in addition to some vit C and B complex vitamins. Any advice to give me to help me concieve naturally? I guess what I want to know is am I able to get pregnant?
Hi Jessily,
I’m sorry to hear it’s taking so long to conceive a baby, and especially sorry to hear about your painful and heavy periods. Have you talked to a doctor? That’d be a good first step.
And, low blood pressure will not stop you from getting pregnant. Here’s what one doctor says about it:
“Low blood pressure is generally regarded as very healthy provided you’re not experiencing symptoms such as feeling faint or light-headed. The lowest blood pressures are often seen in slim young women and levels of 90/50 are not unusual, whereas the normal level is around 130/90. By contrast, high blood pressure is potentially harmful, which is why thousands of people take medication to prevent heart disease and strokes. You can elevate your blood pressure by exercising and drinking more fluids, and stress always puts it up because of the release of adrenaline-like hormones. But you don’t need to do this if you’re generally fit and well. Healthy low blood pressure will not affect your fertility whatsoever – if anything I would say it enhances it.”
- Source: Dr Hilary Jones, a general practictioner and medical writer. Will Low Blood Pressure Stop Me From Getting Pregnant?
I hope this helps, and wish you all the best in getting pregnant.
Laurie
Im 18.My husband and i were trying to concieve earlier this year. We tried for 6 months, and the only thing that happend was that my period got more painful, and i had a much heavier flow! it was fustrating. And i have postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome…. low blood pressure. Could that have anything to do with y we haven’t been able to get pregnant?
Hi Francis,
I’m sorry about your blocked tubes and scar tissue — that can make it hard to get pregnant!
From what I’ve read, you can have regular periods, but not be releasing an egg. Or, the egg may not be mature or ready to accept the sperm.
The only way to tell if you are releasing a mature egg and can get pregnant is to see a fertility doctor — or a regular doctor may be able to tell, as well. It depends on the doctor! Some family doctors refer you to fertility specialists right away, while others can help you through the first steps.
If you do need help getting pregnant, you may want to start the process as soon as possible….it can take months to get it going! I thought I’d be starting IVF (in vitro fertilization) this month, but have to wait until next month because my blood work isn’t in yet.
So, I suggest going to the doctor and finding out if you’re releasing healthy eggs with your period!
Good luck — and let me know how you are –
Laurie
two months ago i’ve been diagnoise with block tubes, adhesions & scar tissue however i do have regular periods. Does that mean the egg do passes through a tube into the my uterus? Desperate
Hi Jodie,
I don’t think wrestling can prevent you from getting pregnant. That’s another good question for your doctor, but I haven’t heard about any links between the two.
You sound totally motivated get pregnant! Is your partner as determined as you?
Laurie
can wrestling affect me in a way that i cannot get pregnant?
Hi Jodie,
I’m so sorry for your miscarriages – it sounds like you want to get pregnant! Whether or not your body is ready to conceive a baby depends on why you miscarried. Did you talk to your doctor about why it happened? I do know that if you think you’re miscarrying or have miscarried a baby, you should take whatever comes out of you to the hospital in a baggie or container. It sounds gross, but the doctors or nurses can analyze it for clues as to whether your body is ready.
Women – and girls – can get pregnant as soon as they begin their period. That can be 11 or 12 years old for some girls, or even younger. This is FAR too young to be a mother, but it is biologically possible.
Maybe your body needs to recuperate from these lost babies. Maybe if you give yourself some time, your body will be ready in a few months. And — do talk to your doctor about the best time in your life to get pregnant.
Let me know what you think!
Take care,
Laurie
i am 18 years old and i have had 2 misscarrages. i was woundering is my body not ready? and i was wanting to know what age can i get pregnant?