Giving birth is one of the most beautiful things in life. The very process of conception during sexual intercourse between a couple is creating amazing fruit from making love; this product of love can only generate more love between the couple and create more affection and kindness while they nurture their own offspring.
However, for this creation of life to be happy, uncomplicated and successful, the couple have to be in a healthy physical and psychological state. For reproduction to proceed smoothly, it is important to be "baby smart".
Having healthy reproductive ingredients is especially vital to couples older than 30, as the aging of eggs and sperm can affect conception and fertility and can increase the risk of congenital defects. It is hence important for couples in this age group and above to have the right mind-set regarding their gamete health.
Gamete health
The male and female of most complex living organisms produce gametes - the seeds of life. A gamete is a cell containing half the genetic material to be inherited from each parent: the sperm from the male and the ovum from the female. Two half-sets of genetic material, called chromosomes, are combined to form a full set of chromosomes, which are unique to the offspring. The fused gametes, with its new unique set of DNA print, form an embryo, which is the starting point of life. Sperm is produced continuously in the testes. However, each woman is born with a finite supply of eggs.
Simple things like the food we eat and the air we breathe can have a detrimental effect on the quality of our gametes. Sperm quantity, although seemingly limitless, does actually decrease with maturity especially as the man gets older. In fact, during the past several decades, industrialization has been found to have resulted in decreasing sperm count and quality in the average male. In women, the eggs are particularly vulnerable because of the finite supply and the fact that they are in arrested development in the ovaries until the start of puberty and the commencement of the menstrual cycle. The layer of cells and lipid membranes that cover the gametes are susceptible to damage by free radicals, chemicals and toxins derived from negative input into our bodies.
Luckily, there is much that can be done to protect the health of reproductive resources. The following changes can greatly optimize gamete health:
Lifestyle modification, such as cutting down on smoking and alcohol consumption
Dietary optimization, such as having a low-fat, antioxidant-rich diet
Regular exercise
Minimization of exposure to environmental toxins
The nurturing of offspring starts from the gametes. This focus will help to ensure that the offspring of a couple has the best possible start in life!
Physical fitness
During the nine physically demanding months of pregnancy, the body undergoes quite a number of changes that involve many systems, such as the musculoskeletal, cardiac and respiratory systems. Over the past few decades, studies have brought forth an improved understanding of the body in pregnancy and knowledge of antenatal care. There is much that can be done to optimize the physical condition of a couple before conception, such as moderate and safe exercise and conditioning during, before and after pregnancy.
Health researchers have discovered the importance of the pelvic floor muscle and back and pelvic joint care. Pelvic floor exercises improve the strength of the pelvic floor muscles, which helps to support the back and pelvic regions, especially during the later stages of pregnancy. Healthy pelvic floor muscles can also improve sex and reduce the risk of urinary incontinence after pregnancy.
Exercise for core stability strengthening can help to preserve the health of your back. Having good core or trunk strength can improve balance and stability and minimize the risk of back injury and falls during pregnancy.
Having a good level of cardiovascular fitness can help one to cope with some of the physical symptoms of pregnancy. It helps to improve or maintain a woman's energy level and assist her in coping with the increased physiological demands that pregnancy places on the body, facilitating quicker post-birth recovery as well.
Being smart about your baby-making process thus stems from healthy living, responsible pregnancy planning, good antenatal health and post-pregnancy revitalization. One of the most important stages in a woman's life is known as the 21-month life stage.
This can be broken down into the six months leading up to conception, the nine months of pregnancy and the six months after delivery, where a woman can make the most of her body to conceive her offspring and experience one of the most memorable moments of her life - child bearing.
During this time, the woman's anatomy, physiology and mental state undergo great changes. With some of these changes, many women will face some common health conditions such as the following:
Musculoskeletal pains, such as backaches, pelvic pains and neck pains
Skin changes during and after pregnancy, manifested as cellulite, stretch marks and pigmentation of skin
Altered moods, including depression and psychosis
Excessive weight gain
Exaggerated pregnancy symptoms, in the form of sleeplessness, nausea, vomiting, breast pain and fluid retention
Pelvic floor problems, such as incontinence and prolapse.
During such an important life stage, you should have access to concise professional information anytime, anywhere! Depending on your gynecologist alone is not enough. It is also good to start planning and adopt a Baby Smart lifestyle way ahead of your pregnancy.
cFlyFreeForHealth2009
Dr Wei Siang Yu is a medical doctor who has emerged as a prominent figure in Singapore for his efforts in dealing with Singapore's record low birthrate. He is also a medical inventor and is currently running an innovative medical tourism platform called Fly Free For Health. For more information about Baby Smart or Dr Wei Siang Yu, please email: info@flyfreeforhealth.com. Join our free online seminar titled "Stroke Risk Assessment" on Aug. 12th by SMSing your email address to +65 98473224 to get the link invite.
