Natural Fertility and Fertility Diet Tips

Many couples who have been unsuccessful in conceiving may only need natural fertility treatment. At Fertility Solutions Sunshine Coast and Bundaberg, we are only too happy if we can help you conceive naturally; we suggest you contact us to discuss the various options that are available for your specific circumstances.

Here are a few natural ways you can implement immediately to assist you with conception:

Fertility Diet Tips:  Nutrition, vitamins, and mineral supplements

A healthy, balanced diet is vitally important to maximizing a couple's fertility, and improving their chances of a healthy pregnancy with a healthy baby. Take a good look at your diet. If you don't know what to do to improve it, we can recommend a dietician with an interest in fertility issues who can work with you.

It has been proven that using folate (folic acid) prior to and during the first 3 months of pregnancy can reduce the risk of a particular fetal abnormality called a Neural Tube Defect. We encourage all women to take Elevit (a mineral and vitamin supplement specifically designed for conception, pregnancy and breast-feeding) during their treatment, and if successful, continue it during their pregnancy. Menevit is encouraged for the men, it assists in maximising sperm function and fertility.  As part of your registration with Fertility Solutions, we provide your first 3 months supply of Menevit and Elevit for free.

There is less scientific proof about the role of vitamins and minerals for men, but what little there is hints at a possible benefit in semen quality. There are certainly no great disadvantages to using a good quality general multivitamin and mineral supplement for men.

Weight

There is very strong evidence that being either underweight or overweight impacts the chances of IVF treatment being successful (and on the chance of pregnancy without treatment). In addition, once pregnant there are extra risks to the baby if a woman is underweight or overweight. We strongly advise all women (and the men also need to set a good example here!) to get to a healthy weight and stay fit before, during and after successful treatment.

Exercise

Daily exercise, at least 20 minutes at a time, assists in weight control, fitness and general health. It doesn't really matter what form of exercise you do, so long as it works for you. It is possible to overdo it though. More than an hour of hard exercise each day is probably excessive.

Smoking

It's bad for you - we all know that! Why? Smoking reduces the chances that you will get pregnant with or without fertility treatment. It increases the chances that you will miscarry, or experience serious pregnancy complications such as placenta praevia, bleeding, cerebral palsy and still birth. Not to mention increasing the chance that you won't be around to see this child reach adulthood. There is no safe level of smoking other than none at all. Even passive smoking is a risk. This goes for the men just as much as it goes for the women. Talk to your GP. Ring the Quitline. Do whatever it takes!

Marijuana is also a bad idea for the same reasons. In addition, there is an increased risk of abnormalities in children born to parents (either women OR men) who smoked marijuana around the time of conception.

Alcohol

There's a debate at present about whether there is a safe level of alcohol intake during pregnancy. Obviously, we know that not drinking any alcohol is safe. Binge drinking at any stage in your treatment or pregnancy is a complete no no, and this includes men too! Regular heavy alcohol consumption (more than 2 standard drinks a day for women, or 4 a day for men) can also interfere with drug treatments during your cycle.

General Health

The healthier you both are, the better the chances of success, whether by natural fertility / conception or IVF treatment.