From the time you decided to have a baby, you need to be more aware of what you eat and to control your weight. Underweight or overweight women face difficulties when it comes to having a baby. This is why it is important to have a normal BMI in order to keep track of ovulation and to succeed in getting pregnant. Everything you eat goes directly or indirectly to your baby and his/her development. There are certain foods that should definitely be avoided, as they can lead to complications with the baby and developing some problems in his/her growth. Food that usually contains soy and soybeans should be avoided. Estrogen is present in soybeans and it can lead to an imbalance of hormones, affecting the ovulation and the production of eggs. A few months before you are trying to have a baby, you should stop eating soybeans. Lunch meats and bologna are not indicated for women who are trying to conceive. Also, peanut butter, spinach interferes with the calcium level in the body, which is essential for the development of the baby. Fizzy drinks, soda and sugary drinks and foods need to be avoided as much as possible. These affect the sugar in blood and can imbalance the level of the reproductive hormones. Those who drink a lot of caffeine should know that is not healthy for this major decision. But if you really can’t stand without a morning coffee, do not exceed the limit. Not to mention more serious complications that drugs, alcohol and smoking cause. The father should also consider quitting smoking, as it can lead to infertility and thus, harder times to conceive a baby. Raw or uncooked meat, eggs and other aliments should be strictly avoided. Certain types of cheese, such as soft cheeses, need to be avoided. Raw fish, such as sushi should be avoided as much as possible. It will help prevent possible food poisoning that can be harmful to the fetus. Many doctors and specialists recommend avoiding foods that are made with white flour. Instead, you can substitute it with whole grains that will improve the digestive system. White flower foods make it difficult for the body to get rid of toxins and it can make the conception process harder.

One important aspect that all women and men should avoid when trying to conceive is stress. Stress can cause serious problems with fertility and those under pressure will have trouble at this aspect. Learning how to relax is the key. Medication is not indicated, so there are other methods through which one can learn to relax, meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, and certain sports and so on. Drinking alcohol is not beneficial in a healthy lifestyle, but it isn’t surely recommended when trying to conceive. In fact, both partners should avoid alcohol as much as possible. It affects the liver, which has the basic function of eliminating toxins and hormones. The sperm quality and quantity can be seriously affected.

Knowing what things to avoid while trying to get pregnant is essential, but it also matters greatly to know what type of foods to consume in order to assure the maximum health for the body. The body will go under some changes and this is why it is important to be prepared for what is coming on the way. In many situations, if the woman has some deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals, the doctor will prescribe some supplements. Whether you are trying to get pregnant, you should consult your doctor and see exactly if you are prepared, what changes you should make and so on. There are also many restrictions when it comes to medication, as most of them should be avoided. More natural treatments can be used instead. During pregnancy as well, there are a lot of things to avoid and things to incorporate in one’s diet and life. The decision of having a baby is grand and it will affect both partners. A parent to be must always focus on the health of the baby and must do everything possible to have a healthy pregnancy and birth.

Many are asking when it is better to conceive. Couples who have sexual intercourse at least two or three times a week without using contraception, there are more than 8 in 10 chances to become pregnant in the first year. Timing sexual intercourse to be close to ovulation is considered by many beneficial and rather productive, but it is not always the case. Regular sex can prevent stress and pressure that occurs with timing ovulation and stress is known to affect fertility. In case you and your partner have been trying for over a year to have a baby and have not succeeded, then you should see a specialist. This is available especially in case of couples who are over their 35. It is known that having a healthy weight is very beneficial for the body, but it is also quite beneficial for the baby making as well. Having a normal weight increases the chances of ovulation. The BMI (body mass index) for the adult woman is among 19-25. In case your BMI is over 29, then you should start a weight loss program in order to improve your chances of getting pregnant. In the other case, if the BMI is under 19, you might face the situation of having irregular or no periods at all. This means that you are not ovulating regularly and thus, you have fewer chances to conceive a baby. This is why it is recommended to start a dietary plan that includes healthy foods and exercising. Speaking of which, deciding to exercise or to follow a sport is very indicated for women who are trying to get pregnant. It helps the muscles develop and stay strong and during the pregnancy, it will make it easier for the woman to carry the extra weight.

Every woman sets up a goal to eat healthier at some point, but they fail to succeed in most cases. But with such a strong reason (having a baby and a healthy one), they should be more determined to do it. By eating healthy, the body will have the needed dosage of vitamins and minerals. It is essential to include healthy foods, plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, good fats, dairy products and more. Protein is needed, found in fish, meat, and starchy foods, including rice, potatoes, bread and pasta. Drinking a lot of fluids daily hydrates the body. But those who drink a lot of coffee should limit the intake of caffeine, especially energy drinks and fizzy drinks. Also, avoid eating foods that are high in sugar, salt and fat. There are certain types of foods that can increase the risk of developing bacteria inside the body, which ultimately affects the baby in a negative way. The Department of Health recommend women who are planning to get pregnant to avoid the following:

• Uncooked meat or ready-prepared meals
• Soft cheese, blue-veined cheese, such as Brie, Camembert and Roquefort
• Pates
• Raw seafood, such as oysters and large fish, like shark
• Unpasteurized cheese or milk
• Uncooked eggs or uncooked egg products, such as mayonnaise (the home-made one)

There are other foods that should be avoided due to certain substances found in them, which can cause complications and risks, such as the following:

• Large quantities of liver, supplements with plenty vitamin A (these can harm the baby)
• No more than two cans of tuna on a weekly basis, as they contain high levels of mercury
• Certain types of fish: swordfish, shark, fresh tuna, marlin, because of the high level of mercury that affects the baby’s nervous system.

Eating large quantity of peanuts while pregnant can increase the chances of your baby developing allergies. In most cases, women are advised by their doctors to take supplements with folic acid, 400 micrograms on a daily basis after they stop taking contraception, up until they are pregnant in 12 weeks. Folic acid can prevent the baby from developing serious complications to the brain and nerves. The Department of Health also advises women to take supplements with vitamin D.