If you have been trying for a baby for some time now, but pregnancy isn’t starting, you are not alone. In fact, 1 in 7 couples in the United Kingdom experience difficulties getting pregnant, and infertility rates have been rising dramatically over the past 60 years.
Various reasons could explain the rise, including women having children later than before in their mid-30s, a long-term use of hormonal contraception, and environmental factors affecting the sperm quality. So, is the situation completely hopeless and out of your control? Absolutely not!
I am about to tell you some simple things you can do right now to start improving your fertility and increase your chances of conceiving.
Maintain a healthy weight
Being either overweight or underweight can affect fertility, so staying in your optimal weight range can boost your fertility. Weight plays an important part in hormonal regulation. Therefore it could negatively affect ovulation.
Keep your BMI between 18.5 to 24.9, and you will be in the ideal weight for conception.
Keep things cool
This one is for men only. Prolonged exposure to higher temperatures can affect sperm quality, so avoid keeping a laptop on your lap for long periods and avoid long hot baths or frequent sauna sessions. “They” hang outside the body for a reason. For good quality sperm production, the temperature must be 1 to 2 c degrees below your body temperature.
Quit smoking
Scientific studies have shown that smoking affects both sperm and egg quality. Women are born with all the eggs they ever have, so damage to the eggs can have a permanent effect on fertility. Smoking men often have lower sperm count and reduced motility. Time to throw the cigarettes away if you are planning for a baby in the near future.
Chart your basal body temperature
Let’s bust this myth; women are not fertile throughout their cycle. There is only one time in the cycle when they can get pregnant, and that is just before ovulation. Before the egg is released, your body temperature will rise slightly just after the ovulation, so you will know that you have released an egg. By charting your basal body temperatures for a month or two, you can determine when is the time in your cycle when you are most fertile. And you will have the highest chances for pregnancy. And no, it is not always the day 14 of your cycle. It can be anywhere from day 10 to day 25. BBT is one of the basic skills I teach to all my fertility clients. It works!
It is never too late…
Start making these changes today, and you are already boosting your chances for a healthy pregnancy. I have plenty of experience in helping couples with fertility issues to conceive a baby. Besides using structured reflexology methods, which in a 2018 study carried out by the Association of Reproductive Reflexologists resulted in a 68% pregnancy rate, I will tell you how to boost egg and sperm quality. I will also explain how you can spot the signs of impending ovulation. Don’t just believe my word, but check out a couple of testimonials and call or message me on 07792 339712 for a non-obligatory chat:
"Went to see Outi for reflexology fertility treatment. I am 40 years of age with a high FSH hormone level and a low AMH level. Outi was very professional and talked me through the treatment, suggested relevant supplements which might aid my journey and after 6 treatments we fell pregnant. I couldn’t recommend these treatments and Outi enough. If your reading this, there is no harm in giving it a go, good luck and thank you Outi”
"I was recommended Outi on Facebook by a friend who had seen her post. I was in all honesty a little sceptical as never tries anything like this before. After my first session I felt very educated about the reproductive system and reflexology. As I was currently under the hospital for investigation as I had been told I had adhesions to my ovaries that will affect my chances of falling naturally and surgery would be the only option to try and move ovaries...I didn't really think anything else could help.
However Outi recommended to start taking evening primrose oil which I did and also started taking folic acid again as hadn't been for few months. Was seeing Outi weekly and also doing my own self exercises which Outi had advised me to do...on my 4th session, Outi had suggested to do a pregnancy test as I hadn't come on (although late cycles were apparent!) As my temperature was still high....I waited a few days and got my first positive test!!! After 2.5 years trying and to be told it's likely won't be able to conceive naturally I had fallen pregnant!!! I am convinced it has something to do with the treatment I had received from Outi and her magical hands!!! She is very calming and professional. Would highly recommend her and this treatment and look forward to other treatments through out my pregnancy. I can't thank you enough for this. "