Health and Lifestyle

Healthy Diet

A healthy, balanced diet is important for both men's and women’s fertility. A healthy, balanced diet includes fresh fruit and vegetables each day and good-quality protein (can be plant-based) and amino acids. These can be obtained from various sources, including pulses, beans and lentils, etc. Low-GI complex carbohydrates, whole grains, and minerals in your diet are also important. If possible, avoid excessive additives such as colours, flavours and preservatives and highly processed foods. 

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When you are pregnant, it is important to remember to avoid exposing yourself to harmful bacteria, eating food that could contain listeria, and toxoplasmosis.  All these can potentially harm your unborn child. 

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In general, it is recommended to avoid raw or undercooked meats or deli meats. Avoid undercooked fish and shellfish as well as unpasteurised dairy products. As always, wash all your fruit and vegetables before consumption. Keep your kitchen surfaces, chopping boards and utensils clean and wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw, uncooked foods.  

Weight

Weight variations on either side of the spectrum can have an impact on the fertility of both men and women. If you feel your weight needs to be considered, we can offer plenty of help and support to address it. Being underweight can also affect a woman’s fertility. This is because the hormonal communication that controls your fertility may be disrupted. If there is a signalling issue between the hypothalamus-pituitary axis and the ovaries or testes, we can certainly address it and help you with this. If you have any concerns around your weight and how it may be affecting your fertility, I would encourage you to speak to me so we can determine the best path forward together. You will always be supported and never be made to feel uncomfortable.

Smoking/Vaping, Drugs and Alcohol

Smoking is harmful to your fertility, your general health and the health of your baby. Smoking can affect the fertility of both males and females. There are 1000’s of harmful chemicals present in smoke that affect both eggs and sperm quality and can lead to numerous other health issues that can impact fertility. 

Alcohol detrimentally affects fertility in both men and women and can also affect a developing baby.  While trying to conceive and during pregnancy, it is safest to abstain from alcohol. Ideally, men should keep their alcohol consumption to a minimum and follow current safe drinking guidelines.

Fitness

Both men's and women’s fertility will benefit from being fit, and as a woman, this will also benefit you during pregnancy. It’s also important to ensure you’re undertaking exercise that’s appropriate for your level of fitness. I cannot stress how important taking regular exercise is. This will not only improve fertility considerations but also have positive long-term health implications. Exercise helps with sleep, strength, mental health and general wellbeing, just to mention a few benefits. 

Caffeine

Living in coffee-obsessed Melbourne, my day doesn't properly start until I have my early morning coffee, usually after my gym session. The wonderful baristas at the various coffee shops I go to will generally have my espresso ready when I sit down.   

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Whilst there is limited research in this area, it is generally accepted that high levels of caffeine consumption can have harmful impacts on pregnancy; but low caffeine intake does not make it more difficult to conceive, nor does it increase the risks of miscarriages. We do, however, know that caffeine does cross the placenta, so the stimulatory effects you feel from coffee will also be felt by the baby. However, unborn babies are not able to break down caffeine as efficiently as we do. Overall, it is reasonable to suggest that a small cup of coffee or tea a day is fine. Remember that caffeine is also found in cola drinks, some energy drinks, chocolate, and some medications.  

Emotional Health