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How to increase your chances of pregnancy after 30

For many women nowadays, the 30s are considered the most appropriate time to get pregnant in terms of financial stability and firm relationships for nurturing a family. However, the odds of becoming pregnant are not as high as in one’s 20s, particularly for women 35 and above, when the chance of conceiving within a year drops from 75 to 65 percent

Hello Sehat (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Fri, September 9, 2016

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How to increase your chances of pregnancy after 30 If after six months of frequent unprotected sex your plan of getting pregnant has not worked out, you should see a fertility expert. (Shutterstock/File)

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or many women nowadays, the 30s are considered the most appropriate time to get pregnant in terms of financial stability and firm relationships for nurturing a family. However, the odds of becoming pregnant are not as high as in one’s 20s, particularly for women 35 and above, when the chances of conceiving within a year drop from 75 to 65 percent.

Below are some helpful tips to help you increase your chances of becoming pregnant after the age of 30.

Stay emotionally, physically and mentally healthy

Your lifestyle plays an important role in increasing your chances of conceiving. If you are exposed to bad habits such as smoking, caffeine or alcohol, your fertility can be greatly affected. Being overweight or underweight also tampers with hormone functions and can augment pregnancy complications; therefore, it is essential that you check your weight regularly by calculating your body mass index (BMI).

Certain types of foods that are recommended to improve fertility include monounsaturated fats (e.g. olive oil), non-meat proteins (e.g. soy), clean carbs high in fiber, iron, vitamin B and low-glycemic (e.g. oats, potatoes, whole-grain bread) and an average quantity of high-fat dairy products (e.g. ice cream, whole milk and cheese). In addition to these foods, it is advisable to consume multivitamins or prenatal vitamins, especially vitamin E, and herbal supplements.

Last but not least, ameliorating your psychological life can have a substantial influence on fertility. Stick to your favorite healthy activities such as cooking, listening to music, doing yoga, reading, exercising, having a long weekend break or simply spending more time with your partner.

(Read also: How to know if your body is not ready for pregnancy)

Monitor your body, take fertility tests

Observing your body’s activities such as basal body temperature, cervical fluids and vaginal pH can help you to find the optimal time for intercourse according to regular ovulation. Also ensure that the health of your partner’s sperm is tested in order to improve sperm count.

Methods to help improve men’s health include being checked for varicocele, eliminating all toxins from the diet, adding vitamins or herbal supplements to the diet and losing weight, for men who are overweight.

Meet with a fertility specialist

If after six months of frequent unprotected sex your plan of getting pregnant has not worked out, you should see a fertility expert. Make an appointment as soon as possible if you are having irregular periods, at risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or sexually transmitted diseases and your partner has a history of fertility problems.

Getting pregnant after 30 may seem impossible for many couples. However, with the right preparation and knowledge about taking care of yourself, you and your partner can hope for good news in the future. (kes)



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