Whether it’s your first attempt or you're trying to add to your family, you’ve decided that the timing is right to have a child. As you make plans to ready the homefront, you should also take some steps to boost your fertility, which can go a long way toward successfully conceiving, not to mention having a smooth pregnancy.
In recent years in the United States, there have been more than 3.6 million births each year. Dr. Fernando Otero and the team here at Women’s Clinic of the Rio Grande Valley want you to successfully join these numbers, if that’s your goal.
To that end, we’ve pulled together a few best practices for women who are trying to get pregnant, and these practices may also help prevent a high-risk pregnancy.
A leading cause of infertility in women is untreated sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility issues. So, we recommend that you come in for testing now to make sure that you don’t have any untreated infections that can interfere with your ability to get pregnant.
As well, there’s been an alarming increase in cases of congenital syphilis in the US — it’s gone up 755% over the past decade to more than 3,700 in 2022. With a quick STD test, we can check for syphilis and other STDs.
Now’s the time to check to make sure that your vaccines are all up to date, which includes flu, COVID, Tdap (whooping cough), and tetanus.
If you’re carrying extra pounds, it’s a good idea to get rid of those now. Being overweight can affect ovulation and your menstrual cycles, making getting pregnant more challenging. As well, carrying extra weight during your pregnancy can raise your risk for serious complications like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
The moment you become pregnant, we’re going to ask you to stop drinking alcohol and smoking (if applicable), as well as cut down on caffeine. So, why not start now by modifying these potentially bad habits?
Not only can smoking and drinking (and drug use) harm your unborn child, it can also reduce your fertility, so quitting now while you’re trying to conceive is a good idea.
The healthier you are entering your pregnancy, the more you set the stage for a smooth journey. So, to boost your fertility and increase your chances of a successful pregnancy, we suggest ditching the junk food and giving your diet a healthy overhaul. Instead of processed foods, concentrate on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins.
If you’re in a constant state of stress, it can have no small impact on your health, which includes your fertility. So, find ways to keep stress to a minimum while you’re trying to conceive (and during your pregnancy).
Lastly, it’s a great idea to come see us for a preconception evaluation. We can make sure that all of your fertility boxes are checked. This holds especially true if you have a gynecologic condition, such as endometriosis or fibroids, that might interfere with fertility and pregnancy.
To schedule your evaluation or if you have questions about increasing your chances for getting pregnant, please contact one of our offices in McAllen or Edinburg, Texas, to set up a consultation.
