Your lifestyle, exercise and eating habits greatly influence your fertility and ability to get pregnant. When you’re trying to conceive, ditching certain unhealthy habits can boost your chances. Here are some bad habits that you should consider getting rid of, in order to have a healthy pregnancy:
- Caffeine
You may have heard this many times before that caffeine is bad for you when you’re trying to conceive. Studies have shown that caffeine may contribute to fertility problems and increase your risk of miscarriage. Doctors say that more than two cups of coffee a day can lead to poor fetal growth and premature labor. Other, less obvious sources of caffeine such as tea, chocolate, and soft drinks may also contribute to increasing your health risk. If you cannot do without your daily cup of coffee or tea, try to keep it to 200mg per day when you’re pregnant.
- Junk Food
Eating a balanced diet with plenty of nutrients is essential for healthy baby growth. A study by researchers found that those who had junk food during pregnancy, were likely to have overweight babies. High-fat and high-sugar diet may affect the food preferences of fetuses. It found that babies whose mothers ate a lot of high-fat and high-sugar foods will have fondness for junk foods later on in life. Change your lifestyle before and during pregnancy and enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals for all-round good health. Avoid foods with artificial colors and flavors, and MSG.
- Sugar
It is important to minimize sugar intake during pregnancy. Eating lots of sugar during pregnancy can lead to high glucose levels in mothers of the babies and also increases their risk of becoming diabetic later in life. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, satisfy your cravings with natural alternatives like fruits. Avoid cookies or ice creams – go for strawberries with whipped cream as a healthy alternative.
- Lack of Sleep
Getting plenty of sleep during pregnancy is extremely important. According to research, pregnant women who got less than six hours of sleep in early pregnancy had an increased risk of high blood pressure, and those with fewer than five hours of sleep had higher odds of developing preeclampsia. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night. Make sure you go to bed at the same time every night and wake up around the same time each morning. Avoid things that disturb your sleep like alcohol and excess caffeine. Consider taking a warm, pre-bedtime bath to improve your sleep quality. Keep the room dark with shades and turn off all electronic devices to avoid disturbance.
- Sedentary Lifestyle
Exercise is good during pregnancy. It prevents excessive weight gain and helps build your stamina for labor and delivery. It can also stave off gestational diabetes. Your fitness level at the beginning of your pregnancy is a deciding factor in how active you can be for the entire nine months. So if you’re used to a sedentary lifestyle, start an exercise routine before trying to conceive. Remember not to overdo it as it may affect the ease of conception.
These are some of the basic, unhealthy habits that you must change before trying to conceive. Get more tips regarding your pre-conception health from our doctors at KIMS Cuddles.
*Information shared here is for general purpose Please take doctors’ advice before taking any decision.
