Home

Things We Like

Fertility Center

Experts

Columns & Essays

Feature Articles

Community

{In no situation do we ever recommend that fertility diagnosis or treatment be undertaken without the oversight of a qualified medical practitioner. Please use the enclosed information as quick reference and for discussion aids with your practitioner.}

Most of us have good ideas about what it takes to be a good parent. Most people who are planning to be parents one day also plan to make changes to their lifestyle when that time comes -- after all, many things about our pre-parenthood lifestyle simply don't mix with children in the home.

If you think that children may be in your future, it's actually just as important to review your current lifestyle choices -- what you do now can have big impact on whether or not you can conceive later.

Understand Your Body

Because of how we view sex, talking openly or listening to others teach us about our bodies can be hard to do. Often, we end up as adults knowing just a little more than we started with as pre-adolescents. Unfortunately, that usually means that a lot of misinformation and myths surround our knowledge and resulting behavior.

Understanding the details of your reproductive system mechanics and functioning becomes crucial if you are having trouble conceiving. Knowing what is considered "normal" or "average" and what is not will signal you if there's a problem beforehand. As with most things, the earlier you deal with a problem, the more successful you will be.

Understand How Babies Are Made

Sure, you think you already know, but you'd be surprised at all the tiny, but powerful, details involved in conception. A lot of times, folks first learn about these details when they're already having trouble getting pregnant. What you know before trying to conceive can only help things later.

Avoid Sexually Transmitted Infections

Did you know that it's estimated that 1 in 4 people will have acquired at least one STI by the time they're age 24 years? If you want to be fertile when the time is right for you, don't risk it all now by taking chances.

Choose Your Contraception Wisely

Until the time is right for you to get pregnant, it is very wise to use contraception. The kind you choose to use now may impact your future plans.

First and foremost, don't forget that hormonal contraceptives (the pill, Norplant, Depo Provera) and diaphragms cannot provide protection from STIs. Also, there may be some truth to the concerns that hormonal contraceptives may cause delays in conception even after you have stopped using them.

Next, IUDs (intrauterine devices) are generally not recommended if future conception is a goal, due to the incidence of uterine scarring related to their use.

Generally, the best protection (for both current and future fertility) is regular condom use, even if you are also using hormonal contraception.

Take Care, and Live Right

Nobody likes to hear it, but yes, "clean living" is one of the best promoters of fertility. What do we mean by clean living?

• Stay healthy by eating nutritiously, avoiding toxic substances, maintaining optimal body weight, and exercising.
  
  
• Avoid sexual activity with folks whose health history is unknown to you.
  
  
• Have at least an annual health exam which includes screening for sexually transmitted infections, hormonal imbalances, and pre-cancerous conditions. Be sure your medical practitioner knows you intend to have children one day.
  
  
• If you are found to need health treatment of any kind, learn all you can about your condition and its treatment, choose your treatment protocol wisely (keeping your future plans in mind), and follow through observantly.

In short, take care of your body and it will take care of you -- and hopefully, in the future, your planned offspring.

Also see:

• Sexually Transmitted Infection Impact on Fertility