Planning Pregnancy
Take the next steps in planning a successful pregnancy using these helpful tips & information
Planning for a pregnancy is an exciting time. Optimising your health around this time can lead to a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
This often requires the following:
- Fertility friendly diet
- Folic Acid
- Stop smoking
- Minimise alcohol and coffee
- Regular exercise and weight management
Reasons to see your GP
This often requires the following:
- To better manage existing medical conditions
- Change to pregnancy friendly medications
- Have routine checks including pap smears and breast checks
- Be up-to-date with vaccinations – Rubella and
- Varicella
- Genetic screening
- Referral to a fertility specialist
Understanding your fertile window
Here are some tips regarding understanding your fertile window:
- Leading up to ovulation is the most fertile time of your menstrual cycle
- Have regular intercourse leading up to ovulation
- Position doesn’t matter (contrary to popular belief)
Stress management
Couples carrying the burden of infertility can experience stress. Some helpful hints to manage stress around infertility and fertility treatment would be:
- Seeing an understanding and caring fertility doctor
- Understanding the condition and treatments proposed or available for you
- Keeping the body and mind active – such as through yoga
- Engaging in hobbies and doing more of what you enjoy doing
- Joining support groups
- Seeking help from a counsellor if you need extra support
- Alternative therapies like acupuncture may be helpful
Most patients find it is helpful to tell a close friend about what is happening. If it is a friend who has similar concerns this may be more helpful, otherwise it’s good to educate them about your situation and explain what you expect from them. Sometimes it is simply a matter of listening and understanding.
Talk to your partner about what you are going through and support each other – but don’t make fertility the only conversation you have together. While fertility is a priority, focus on other enjoyable and positive aspects of your life as well.