 | It is important that you have your immunity checked for rubella
(German measles) as the virus can cause major abnormalities during early pregnancy. |
| Make sure you take additional folic acid (0.5 mg per day)
preferably three months before treatment. Folic acid is available at any chemist without
prescription and also at health food stores. (Lack of folic acid is linked to spina bifida
and others defects in the formation of the neural tube.) Folic acid supplements also need
to be taken during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. |
| Stop smoking and avoid passive passive smoking as smoking reduces
your chance of having a successful pregnancy as it is associated with adverse effects on
egg and sperm quality. It is also associated with miscarriage, premature birth,
stillbirths, and infants with asthma etc. |
| Make sure you are eating a balanced, healthy diet as this can
affect egg and sperm quality and conception. |
| Exercise moderately and regularly. Avoid excessive exercise as
this can adversely affect female hormones and sperm count. |
| Avoid any extremes of temperature when you are trying to become
pregnant, eg. very hot baths and saunas etc. |
| Try to avoid any alcohol during treatment. Alcohol may also reduce
sperm quality and may interfere with the medication for your treatment. |
| Maintain a good weight for your height and frame. |
| Learn as much as you can about your proposed treatment through
asking questions, reading and via the Internet. |
| Compare clinic services as well as costs before you start your
treatment. Also ask about the specialist's qualifications and experience. |
| Be aware that even if you are some distance away from a clinic
they may offer blood and ultrasound monitoring in your area and so you may only have a few
visits away from home. You therefore usually do have choices of clinics. |
| Remember to discuss any medication/vitamins/tonics that you are
taking or alternative therapy that you are undergoing with your infertility specialist as
these may affect your treatment and conception. |
| Both partners need to avoid taking any drugs as marijuana, cocaine
etc., as these substances can have a disastrous affect on your ability to have a healthy
baby. |
| Presume that when you are trying to conceive you are pregnant and
so avoid toxic cleaning substances such as oven cleaners, dry-cleaning fluids, bleaches
etc., and always wear rubber gloves whilst cleaning. |
| Ask about the safety of any medication for pregnancy before
you take it and discuss this with your clinic eg. medication such as aspirin and
antihistamines should be avoided. Also be aware that some medication such as that used to
treat high blood pressure, and medication to treat ulcers may affect sperm quality. |
| The consumption of excessive tea and coffee has been linked with
male and female infertility so avoid these as much as possible. If you really need to
drink something which tastes like coffee try CARO which is cereal-based and
caffeine-free. |
| Try to learn to relax and have coping strategies in place for
dealing with stress. |
