It is impressive when you hear stories of people who were told there is no possibility of having children of their own, finally getting pregnant, and going through childbirth successfully. I always wonder how it happened and why the sudden change. With these amazing stories, there are usually a few things couples do differently that change the course of their fertility journey, we will discuss a few in this article.

Fertility is the responsibility of the couple, although society puts a greater burden on the woman, It is advisable to seek medical help if you have been trying for a baby for more than 6 months with no positive results.

Below are a few things you can try either during and or before seeking for medical help.

1. Opt for plant-based protein sources

Animal protein has been linked to an increase in inflammatory biomarkers which are associated with infertility in women. Making the choice to completely cut out or heavily reduce your intake of meat, poultry, and other dairy foods has helped some women in their fertility journey.

Plant-based protein sources include;

● soya beans

● peanut

● spinach & other dark green leafy vegetables

● chia seeds

● beans

● broccoli

● oats

● almond

● all types of nuts

Some of these protein sources can easily be processed into milk example Oats, Almond and Soya Beans.

2. Vitamins and plant extracts

Vitamins and supplements when taken regularly work on a woman’s menstrual cycle increasing fertility chances by a great number. It is said that women who take about two to three tablets of multivitamins a week reduce their risk of ovulatory infertility.

An increased intake of specific B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12, B5, and B3) along with folic acid, vitamin D, and iron play a significant role in correcting irregular menstrual and ovulatory cycles.

3. Reduce intake of sugar and carbohydrates

Just as animal proteins may increase inflammation, high sugar and carbohydrate may create insulin resistance and cause inflammation in some women. Similar to diabetes, symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) maybe heightened due to this so eating a balanced diet with high fiber replaces the need to eat excessive carbohydrates for satisfaction.

Replace carbonated drinks (soda) with smoothies and natural homemade juices and completely eliminate candies and other processed foods as much as possible.

Snack on Fruits and vegetables such as carrot sticks, cucumber, pawpaw, watermelon, etc instead of processed snacks like chips, cookies, etc

Healthy Whole Grains

4. Ovulation tests

It makes a lot of difference to be in the know when you ovulate or are in your fertile period. This puts you on track to know exactly when to have sexual intercourse to increase your chances of getting pregnant. To maximize the chances of pregnancy during ovulation, couples are advised to have unprotected sex two days before ovulation, the day of ovulation, and 2 days after. You can track your cycle either manually or by the help of apps for ovulation and period tracking.

5. Try intermittent fasting

Because our body is constantly working to digest and process food's nutrients, it is often helpful to give it a break by taking regular fast a few days each week. Regular fasting has proven to reduce inflammation by a greater percentage.

Most people start with a 16:8 intermittent fasting program by fasting for 16 hours and having an

8-hour feeding window. It's easier to increase your fasting time after building consistency.

Intermittent Fasting And Fertility: What You Need to Know

6. Use semen friendly lubricants

Although there is no evidence that semen-friendly lubricants increase fertility, some lubricants are made with active ingredients that act as spermicides, killing sperm cells before they get the chance to travel through the cervix to the fallopian tube for fertilization.

7. Sex - More sex, more frequently

Have sex more often, at least 3 times a week. To help sperms travel easily through the cervix, it is advised to lie down for a few minutes after sex. Try other sex positions too as some couples say these have helped them. Spontaneity in your sexual life is also encouraged; the stress of tracking your fertile period, planning sex can take a toll on your relationship. Have some fun while trying.

8. Get a healthy BMI

Aiming for a healthy body weight according to your height can help the female menstrual cycle. People underweight may have frequently missed periods that last for several months while an overweight person may experience inconsistencies in their monthly flow.

A healthy weight generally reduces inflammation to a greater extent.

9. Exercise

Working out plays a major role in balancing your hormones. It helps trigger the release of estrogen and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) which is responsible for the release of a mature egg during ovulation. ALso helps you burn excess fat and calories keeping fit. Walking at least 6000-8000 steps a day, at least 3 times a week , can help keep you in shape, give you a good night sleep and reduce stress. Other activities like swimming, jogging, running are also good. If you are new to exercising, consult your doctor before starting. You can work out at home solo or with an exercise buddy or join a gym.

10. Hydrate

Water is a natural healer. Having enough daily intake of it generally helps to resolve lots of internal issues. Because there’s enough water, your body is able to do its job better by filtering and cleansing out toxins. You may not experience physical change but it does a lot on the inside.

Cut or reduce caffeine and alcohol intake, smoking and the use of recreational drugs. Take Folic acid and your multivitamins daily.

Seek medical help as soon as possible, especially after 6-12 months with no positive results. Celebrate the little achievements, stay positive, Life is what happens when you’re busy making plans so don’t allow yourself to be weighed down by infertility.

Continue living a healthy life and be open-minded to other alternatives.