Enhancing Fertility
Q: My partner and I have been trying for several months to get pregnant. Our doctor says we should keep trying for a while longer before we think about fertility treatments. Is there anything I can do to enhance fertility?
Dr. Donnica: In general, anything that increases the health of either partner may increase the likelihood of pregnancy. Specific recommendations include:
Try one or more of the methods to identify your most fertile days and have intercourse at that time.
Consult your physician for a preconception visit and specific advice. Address any concerns you have.
Practice stress management: as easy as it sounds, the process of making a baby can be frustrating and stressful for many couples, especially those who have been trying for some time. While stress itself does not cause infertility, the process of "trying" to become pregnant can be stressful, especially on your relationship. Various sources recommend massage, yoga, exercise, and others.
If you or your partner smoke, stop. Women smokers are more than 3 times as likely as non-smokers to take more than a year to get pregnant.
Women trying to conceive should not drink alcohol; men should limit alcohol
to less than 2 drinks per day.
Couples who have had infertility may benefit from taking Fertility Blend™
supplements (women 3 capsules per day; men 3-4 capsules per day for one month
followed by 2 capsules per day).
Women trying to conceive a child should take folic acid, 400 mg per day, to prevent certain birth defects.
Women trying to conceive should be sure that they are getting an adequate calcium intake.
Women trying to conceive should limit their caffeine intake: drinking even one cup of regular coffee per day can decrease your chance of conceiving by up to 50%.
Men trying to father a child should wear loose fitting undergarments and avoid extremely hot temperatures, especially soaking in hot tubs (for women this is generally OK until second trimester of pregnancy).
To increase your chances of the egg becoming fertilized, do not douche or use lubricants immediately before having intercourse.
Normalize your weight and practice a moderate exercise routine.
Have realistic expectations: all good things are worth waiting for! But don't wait too long. If you and your partner are both healthy and under 35, yet haven't been able to conceive after 12 months of well-timed, unprotected intercourse, consult your gynecologist. If you or your partner have risk factors for infertility, consult your gynecologist sooner rather than later.
Created: 9/23/2000 - Donnica Moore, M.D.
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 Consult your physician for a preconception visit and specific advice. Address any concerns you have. 
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