No one likes to deny themselves of the usual pleasures through both good and bad habits. However, there are confirmed factors that affect the onset and course of pregnancy, the rate of conception, and the health of the mother and child. Let’s talk about the common factors that are harmful to conceiving a child.
Which Factors Harm Pregnancy?
Here is the list of habits that can damage the well-being of a conceiving mother.
1. Smoking
Probably everyone already knows that smoking in pregnancy is extremely harmful. It harms both participants in the gestation process, increases the risk of spontaneous miscarriages, ectopic pregnancy, and prevents the child from growing.
However, smoking should be quit as soon as the thought of pregnancy arises. The habit of taking nicotine in any form reduces a woman’s fertility so much that it takes her twice as long to conceive naturally. Nicotine and tar also affect the eggs, contributing to the occurrence of genetic abnormalities.
The partner should also stop smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes: smoking significantly reduces sperm quality. It also impairs sperm motility and quantity and provokes violations of their production.
2. Alcoholic Drinks
Just like with smoking: everyone knows that combining pregnancy and alcoholic beverages is harmful. With an excess of alcoholic beverages, the fetus develops incurable diseases disorders of physical and mental development.
But it is necessary to give up alcohol in advance. This is because alcohol abuse has an extremely negative effect on the ovulation cycle and causes hormonal dysfunctions. Despite such threatening effects of alcohol abuse, this problem is still prevailing in States like Pennsylvania, USA.
Remember that if you want to conceive a healthy baby, you will have to give up the addiction. Thus, those ladies residing in Pennsylvania (PA) must contact detox centers in PA before it’s too late. This is because if you do not quit it now, it will adversely affect fertility and health.
3. Coffee
No, you don’t have to immediately throw away a can of coffee or deny yourself your favorite latte in the morning. Research proves that 200 milligrams of caffeine per day (1-2 cups of coffee) won’t hurt. However, it is worth giving up the habit of drinking coffee all the time.
This causes problems with conception, and during pregnancy, it threatens an increase in blood pressure. Coffee reduces the body’s ability to absorb iron, increasing the risk of dehydration. This, in turn, can lead to an increased risk of miscarriage and premature birth.
4. Stress
We all live with a certain amount of stress, and experts say that average mental stress does not cause infertility. But pronounced stress or a state of high psycho-emotional stress can significantly reduce the ability to conceive. Moreover, the lack of a desired pregnancy only exacerbates stress.
Therefore, if it seems to the expectant mother that the level of stress affects health, it is necessary to consult a doctor. There are also studies proving a reduction in the period before conception in women who are fond of relaxation techniques and yoga.
5. Fish
Some types of fish are able to accumulate mercury in body tissues. This applies in particular to tuna, mackerel, shark, swordfish, etc. High dietary mercury levels in the blood are associated with fertility problems in both women and men. In addition, mercury can remain in our body for up to a year and cause disorders in the development of the fetal nervous system and brain structures.
How to replace dangerous varieties for lovers of fish and seafood? There is a wide choice: catfish, flounder, tilapia, salmon, trout, whitefish, haddock, herring, sardines, as well as almost all shellfish and crustaceans. Dishes from them can (and even should) be included in the diet twice a week for one serving.
6. Extreme Exercise
Staying in great physical shape is good for everyone. However, the same study that linked gardening to fertility rates confirmed that too much exercise could negatively impact fertility. This is not at all a reason to give up the habit of morning jogging. But it is better to refrain from participating in long marathons or sports competitions. You can surely start practicing again in the ground again after pregnancy but avoid it for some months.
7. Vegetables
Studies show that certain foods actually increase fertility and promote conception. However, scientists also agree that a healthy body most often does not experience difficulties with the process of the birth of a new life.
The main factor of health is proper nutrition. Yes, the more vegetables in your diet, the better. Be careful, though, French fries are not healthy, and most canned vegetables have more flavor than vitamins. Be sure to include leafy greens in the diet or any kind of green salad.
Folic acid, which is rich in greens, plays a very important role in preventing genetic defects in the fetus. It is beneficial at a dose of at least 400 mcg per day in combination with vitamin C two months before and after conception.
8. Body Weight
Being overweight and underweight leads to difficulties with conception and gestation. To determine whether the expectant mother’s body weight is normal, it is worth using body mass index (BMI) calculations.
With a BMI below 18.5, the risk of the absence of ovulation and the onset of amenorrhea increases dramatically. With indicators over 30 points, pregnancy is often accompanied by gestational diabetes, a preeclamptic state. In such conditions, there are risks of congenital disorders in the child and insufficiency of labor in the mother.
Take Away
Becoming parents is the most beautiful moment for any couple. However, there are certain products and habits that can complicate these beautiful moments for you. Thus, it is better to refrain from them to ensure the good health of both mother and the child. We mentioned some factors that you must pay attention to as soon as you plan pregnancy. It will help you conceive a healthy baby.
