Patients who come to me with infertility issues have been trying to conceive for a while – sometimes 2 years or more. When they come for treatment they tend to be stressed out and very anxious hoping to conceive as soon as possible. Now as I do an extensive evaluation I often find a history of stress, poor life style habits particularly with exercise and poor sleep patterns. I also find poor dietary habits particularly an over-eating of processed foods and simple carbohydrates like bread, pasta, cereals and white potato.

When the body is not supplied with the proper building blocks and rest required to maintain optimal health something has got to give. The body will shut down unnecessary functions like reproduction and redirect it’s energy elsewhere just to survive the day to day stress thrown at it.

Ideally it would be a much better outcome if a couple decided to prepare their bodies before trying to conceive. The time it may take to prep the body will depend on how bad off their health is and an evaluation can give some insight on how best to prepare and optimize health. Conceiving is the beginning. Full term pregnancy and many sleepless nights will follow in caring for a child. Maximizing your health for this amazing and important event can’t be emphasized enough. Between four and six weeks after the mother’s last period the heart is forming and a heart beat can be heard. Some women may not even realize they are pregnant until several weeks after missing a period when so much development has already happened. Trying to improve the health of the mother and a developing fetus at a later stage cannot compare to preparing months before much important development has occurred. Months prior to even conceiving the development of the uterus lining, the egg and sperm are taking place and need to be supported.

So early planning is key to optimize fertility. Developing good eating habits, making the right choices in food, exercising, managing stress and healthy sleep habits are all important. These important and health-supportive practices require time to learn, change and assimilate to promote optimal health particularly when trying to conceive. Consider going through an extensive health evaluation for you and your partner to assess your health in preparation for pregnancy. Such an important event requires the best in health you can offer for yourself and your family.