Do you want a baby? Don’t be impatient: conceiving a child can take time. To put the odds on your side, adopt a healthy lifestyle, prepare your body for a future pregnancy, in short, take care of yourself.
Give yourself time after stopping contraception
Women’s access to contraception allowed them to control their fertility and decide whether or not to have a child. However, stopping contraception does not automatically mean getting pregnant. You also have to be patient.
The probability of getting pregnant is only 25% each month. Consequence: it takes an average of 7 months for a couple to conceive a child after stopping contraception, whatever the mode. Have more info about it from the best alternative treatment center for fertility.
Age, a criterion not to be overlooked
This is essential biological data: female fertility decreases with age. It is at its peak at 25, then gradually decreases. At 30, a woman who is trying to get pregnant has a 75% chance of achieving it in 12 months; 66% at age 35; 44% at 40 years old. Another consequence of the passage of time: a higher risk of miscarriage with the years: 12% around 25 years, 20% at 37 years, 30% at 43 years.
The decline in fertility with age is one of the major obstacles to a late desire for pregnancy (after 40 years).
A health check-up to prepare for pregnancy
Before putting a baby on the road, it is advisable to consult his general practitioner or his gynecologist and to carry out a medical assessment. Objectives: ensure her good health and identify possible obstacles to a desire for pregnancy.
- Using a blood test, look for immunity against rubella, toxoplasmosis and chickenpox, three diseases which can have serious consequences for the fetus. Take the necessary measures in the event of non-immunity (rubella and chickenpox vaccines, dietary advice against toxoplasmosis).
- Be up to date with vaccinations: make the necessary reminders because some vaccines are contraindicated during pregnancy.
- Detect any deficiencies (iron, vitamin D, etc.) requiring supplementation.
- If necessary, screen for HIV and hepatitis B and C.
Fill up on vitamin B9
Almost a third of women of childbearing age lack vitamin B9 (folic acid). However, this vitamin is essential for the proper development of the fetus from the first four weeks of life. A deficiency can lead to certain malformations ( spina bifida ) of the neural tube and increases the risk of prematurity.
Vitamin B9 is found in many foods:
- green vegetables, mainly leafy: spinach, cabbage, lamb’s lettuce, etc.
- fruits: orange, melon, banana, etc.
- seeds and oilseeds: corn, nuts, chestnuts, chickpeas, etc.
- eggs
According to official recommendations, a woman wanting a child will receive systematic folic acid supplementation, to take 4 to 8 weeks before any conception test. To be continued during the first trimester of pregnancy.ANSES (National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety) says that 30% of women of childbearing age are at risk of folic acid deficiency.