The most important factor for increasing fertility is being healthy before giving birth. The healthier a woman is before getting pregnant, the easier her pregnancy will be and the healthier her baby will be. All of the nutritional guidelines that apply during pregnancy also apply before. Eat whole, fresh, unprocessed foods with emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, wild caught fish, and “good” fats. Quitting smoking, exercising and abstaining from alcohol are also great ways to get ready to conceive. Often, a woman will become pregnant and not find out for a month or two. If she smokes, drinks or eats poorly, she could be harming her unborn baby without even knowing it. Oh, and guys…you have to do your part, too. Sperm factors account for about 40 percent of infertility cases. Taking some proactive steps can make your odds of having a baby even higher. Following are a few tips:

FEMALE FERTILITY BOOSTERS

1.         Give up all caffeine (coffee, sodas, tea, chocolate, etc.)

2.         Give up all alcoholic beverages

3.         Take the following every day:

a.         One multi-vitamin supplement, preferably with extra antioxidants.

b.         The herbs vitex & dong quai, both of which help with female fertility and hormonal balance. Follow labeling doses since products vary. It is very important to stop both of these immediately upon becoming pregnant.

c.         50 mg of PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid, which stimulates the pituitary gland. It can often be found in some multi-vitamin formulas.

d.         100 mg of zinc, but do not exceed this dosage daily.  Take in two 50 mg doses. Zinc helps the reproductive organs to function better.

e.         Selenium – 200 to 400 mcg daily. Some multi-vitamins include this nutrient. A deficiency has been linked to infertility in women.

f.          Folic acid – 800 mcg daily. This vitamin is critical to the earliest development of the fetus, so if a woman takes it before conceiving, she’s providing a benefit to the embryo at conception. All good-quality prenatal vitamins contain folic acid, so you could substitute a prenatal vitamin for your normal multi-vitamin while you’re trying to conceive.

4.         Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of wheat germ on your cereal or mix into your food at least twice a day. This food, which is almost a complete source of nutrients, provides vitamin E, protein, iron, potassium vitamins B1 and B3, and an abundance of phosphorous, lecithin, riboflavin, calcium, magnesium, selenium and zinc. It is a nutritional powerhouse!

4.         Some women have reported that using natural progesterone creams have been beneficial for treating infertility.

MALE FERTILITY BOOSTERS

 1.         Give up all alcoholic beverages

2.         Take the following every day:

a.         100 mg of zinc, but do not exceed this dosage daily.  Take in two 50 mg doses. Zinc helps the reproductive organs function more effectively.

b.         Coenzyme Q10 –100 mg twice daily. A study which appeared in Fertility and Sterility Magazine showed that sperm quality and motility improved after using CoQ-10 for six months (www.vrp.com).

c.         Selenium – 200 to 400 mcg daily. Some multi-vitamins include this nutrient. A deficiency has been linked to reduced sperm count.

d.         Vitamin C – 2000 mg daily in four 500 mg doses will keep sperm from clumping and increases motility.

           e.         Vitamin E – 800 mg daily in two 400 mg doses increases sperm count.

f.          Panax Ginseng – Follow labeling for dosage since products vary. One large study indicated that taking panax ginseng orally improved male fertility by increasing number, quality, and movement of sperm.

g.         Saw Palmetto – Follow labeling for dosage since products vary. This herb boosts male sex hormones.

h.         L-Arginine – Great for sperm motility.  Take 4000mg daily in divided doses.

3.         Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of wheat germ on your cereal or mix into your food at least twice a day for the same reasons women should use it.

 OTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR BOTH

 1.         Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Being at peak health is important for all of your organs to function              optimally.  When you eat junk foods, sugar, lots of animal fats and fried foods, your body becomes              sluggish and can’t maintain its natural balance and functions.

2.         REDUCE STRESS! Learn stress management techniques and relax. Sometimes when people stop trying so hard to conceive, they relax enough for conception to occur naturally.

3.         Do not smoke marijuana or take any other drugs. These have been proved to diminish sperm counts, as do alcoholic beverages.

4.         Sometimes a woman will develop antibodies to her partner’s sperm. Try using a condom for 30 days, then have intercourse without the condom during ovulation. It may help the woman’s body become more receptive to the sperm.

5.         Conception is more likely when the traditional missionary position is used during intercourse.

6.         Intense exercise by either partner may result in a drop in the production of hormones that regulate potency, fertility, and sex drive. Reducing exercise to moderate levels may be helpful.

Hopefully, following a few common-sense guidelines and getting a little help from some supplements will result in a problem-free pregnancy and a healthy, happy addition to your family. It has already worked for someone I know, so what do you have to lose?

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