Happy New Year everyone! A new year has arrived and it is time again to set goals for the year. Today we discuss some resolutions for the infertile couple.
With the start of 2012, I have set a New Year’s Resolution to lose weight. Like most Americans, I gained a few extra pounds over the holidays. So, I have placed myself on a diet and exercise plan.
But what about the infertile couple? What resolutions can those of you struggling with infertility set? Here are 5 easy resolutions that you can make to improve your odds of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy:
1. Take my prenatal vitamin and folic acid every day.
Studies have shown that taking the appropriate amount of folic acid daily will decrease the chances of developing a child with a neural tube defect.
2. Make sure that I have all my immunizations before conceiving.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends that all immunizations be updated prior to getting pregnant. Follow this link to read more about why immunizations are important before getting pregnant: Vaccinations
3. Stop smoking for good.
Numerous published studies support the findings that “the prevalence of infertility is higher, fecundity (ability to conceive) is lower, and the time to conception is increased in smokers compared to nonsmokers.” The Practice Committee reported that a major study revealed that “active smoking was associated with a failure to conceive” within both 6- and 12-month durations of study. Increasing delay to conception is correlated with increasing daily numbers of cigarettes smoked. Follow this link to read more about how smoking can have a permanent negative impact on your fertility: Smoking and Infertility
4. Start working out regularly.
According to the ASRM Practice Committee, “Obesity is the most common chronic disease in the United States.” How does obesity negatively impact your fertility? According to ASRM, “Obesity is frequently associated with menstrual cycle disturbances.” The irregular periods that obese women experience are usually due to anovulation (not ovulating) or oligo-ovulation (ovulating very infrequently). Obesity can also lead to the excessive production of certain hormones such as insulin and estrogen, which can prevent the ovary from ovulating an egg. So, if you are obese, you are likely not ovulating. And, if you aren’t ovulating regularly, then your chance of conceiving is very low. Luckily, losing just 5 – 10% of your overall body weight can lead to a dramatic positive impact on your fertility. To read more about how obesity can lead to infertility, follow this link: Obesity and Infertility
5. Make an appointment with my infertility doctor to discuss how to overcome infertility.
If you have been trying to conceive for at least 1 year (or at least 6 months if you are over 35), it’s time to seek help from the experts. Find a team of highly trained and skilled medical specialists who have one goal in mind…helping you get pregnant. Choosing the right infertility clinic and doctor is easier than you think. Follow this link for more information: Choosing the Right IVF Center
So – which of these resolutions work for you? Remember to set goals and stick with them! Hopefully, these resolutions will help you reach your dreams of parenthood!
If you need help locating a physician who specializes in infertility treatments, check out the fertility clinic finder at the Attain Fertility website: Locate a Fertility Center
Source: My patients, nurses, and the Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Dr. Lowell T. Ku, M.D. is an award winning and leading Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist at Dallas IVF, one the nation’s premiere infertility centers. Doctor Ku clarifies the many confusing terms used in the world of Infertility using straightforward explanations.
