Trying to conceive can be a stressful and pressuring process. To prevent heartache and disappointment, if you’re trying to conceive, there are several dos and don’ts you must strictly follow.

Don’t smoke

Smoking can damage eggs and sperm, as well as interfere with ovulation. If you smoke, quit now. Women who smoke go through menopause up to two years earlier than nonsmokers do, on average, and that means they have less time to try to conceive before they age out of fertility entirely. Smoking is particularly harmful because it increases the risk of miscarriage and birth defects.

Don’t drink alcohol

Heavy drinking can cause infertility by interfering with ovulation. Alcohol also increases the risk of miscarriage and birth defects if conception occurs. It’s best not to drink at all while trying to conceive and during pregnancy, but if you must have an occasional glass of wine or beer, limit yourself to one drink per day maximum.

Don’t skip out on sleep

Getting enough sleep is very important when you’re trying to get pregnant. Studies show that women who slept less than six hours a night were less likely to get pregnant than those who slept seven or more hours a night. Lack of sleep has been known to affect your menstrual cycle and hormones, which in turn can affect fertility.

Don’t use recreational drugs

Illicit drugs like cocaine, ecstasy, and LSD can cause serious problems for your unborn baby. These include low birth weight and developmental delays later in life. Talk with your doctor if you need help cutting back or quitting illicit drug use while pregnant.

Don’t eat too much caffeine

Caffeine is known as a stimulant that can increase heart rate and blood pressure. There have been studies that have shown that women who consume more caffeine per day may have delayed conception. Some research even shows that drinking more than three cups of coffee per day may decrease the odds of getting pregnant naturally. So while you’re trying to get pregnant, try to limit your caffeine intake.

Do eat healthy foods

A balanced diet can help prevent obesity and fertility problems in men and women. It also helps ensure that a growing baby gets all the nutrients it needs. Some women find that eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains improves their fertility. Eating fish is generally OK, but limit yourself to about 12 ounces a week to avoid excessive mercury exposure. Avoid raw fish because of the risk of parasitic infections.

Do start taking a prenatal vitamin

Apart from consuming lot of folic acid, it is also advised to go for an important B vitamin thathelps prevent birth defects like spina bifida.

Do get your health on track before becoming pregnant

You know that it is not just about eating healthy foods when you are pregnant, but what about before? It is important to be physically healthy before conceiving a child. This means eating right, exercising, and cutting out any unhealthy habits. It is important for you to cut out cigarettes and alcohol if you want a healthy pregnancy.

Do track your cycle

To improve the odds of getting pregnant, time intercourse for the days when you’re most fertile. You can use an online ovulation calculator, but it’s still good to keep track of when your period comes each month, how long it lasts, and how heavy it is.

Do get some exercise

Staying fit can make labor easier and help you lose weight faster after delivery. As long as you don’t have any health problems that require bed rest or limitations, spend time in daily workouts.

Final words

These are some of the common dos and don’ts you should follow if you’re trying to conceive. If you have any questions or require personalized consultation, reach out to an experienced OB-GYN. Seeking professional intervention is also highly recommended if you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a long time but can’t.