Be careful if you are thinking about getting pregnant in this pandemic

Pregnancy is a beautiful experience, and many women aspire to be mothers at some stage in their lives. However, it's vital to be aware of a few fast and simple hacks that can help you conceive and serve as a useful guide if you're thinking about starting a family. So, if you're planning a pregnancy, Dr Sangeeta Gomes, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Bangalore, offers some advice.

EXCESSIVE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

While it has been shown that exercise can reduce the time it takes to conceive, it is also vital to avoid overdoing it. High-intensity workouts have been related to a longer time to conceive. Excessive exercise, for example, can cause substantial weight loss and hormonal changes, which can result in irregular or missed periods.

JUNK FOOD

We can't guarantee that certain foods, diets, or supplements will make you more fertile. Women with infertility caused by irregular cycles, on the other hand, will benefit from eating more fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and plant-based proteins by cutting back on sugar and processed foods. According to research, eating less fruit and eating a lot of fast food lengthens the time it takes to get pregnant. A well-balanced diet will not only help you maintain a healthy weight, but it will also help you control your insulin levels, increasing your chances of becoming pregnant.


SMOKING CIGARETTES
Smoking will make it difficult to conceive, in addition to raising the risk of lung, colon, and pancreatic cancer (and damaging your overall health). Smoking accelerates the aging of ovarian follicles, which may lead to early menopause and an increased risk of infertility. As a result, avoid cigarettes at all costs.Men should give up the habit as well. While the effects of smoking on men's sperm are less well understood, research suggests that the habit can affect sperm structure and function, with the magnitude of the damage being proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked.

CAFFEINE OVERDOSE

You don't have to completely give up your morning coffee, but you should try to cut down on the number of cups you consume each day. The results vary, but to stay balanced, stick to two cups or less a day. More than five cups of coffee a day has been linked to decreased fertility, and more than 200 mg of caffeine a day (equivalent to about two cups of coffee) has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage once you become pregnant. Keep in mind that the caffeine content of different types of coffee varies.

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

If you're trying to conceive, avoid drinking alcohol at all costs. Although the exact mechanism by which alcohol affects fertility is unknown, studies indicate that consuming more than two drinks a day lowers fertility rates and lengthens the time it takes for a couple to conceive. Drink just once in a while if you're trying to conceive. And if you ever get pregnant, do whatever you can to stop it—nothing is considered healthy until the baby is in the womb.

FISH WITH A HIGH MERCURY CONTENT

Fish, especially cold-water fish such as salmon and sardines, are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help the fetal brain grow. Fish, on the other hand, can contain high levels of mercury, which can damage a baby's developing brain and make it more difficult to remain pregnant after conceiving. Fish with high levels of the toxin include swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, and shark.


CHRONIC ANXIETY

It's impossible to eliminate all conflict from our lives, and research on the topic tends to be contradictory. According to new findings, the higher the perceived stress, the more difficult it is for women to conceive. Stress can cause hormonal changes that can affect ovulation and fertility, particularly if it lasts for a long time.If you're having trouble dealing with stress, talk to your doctor about coping mechanisms and look into alternative treatments like yoga, meditation, and acupuncture, which can all help you relax while also increasing your chances of becoming pregnant.

GETTING INFECTED BY STD's

Get a sexual health check-up if you have reason to believe you might have an STI. Infections spread by sexual contact have the ability to damage your fertility. If you or your reproductive partner have reason to think you or your partner might have an STD, you should both get tested.