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The Other Half of the Fertility Equation: Preparing Men for a Healthy Conception

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I remember all too well doing my research on preparing myself for pregnancy. It definitely seemed as though 90-100% of the prep work was on me, since I would be the one growing the baby, and all.

But it is a misconception that the only role men have to play is “showing up to the party.” Here are a few ideas for ways that men can be more involved in preparing for a healthy conception.

proxeed plus

1. Make an Appointment

It’s a great idea for men to pay a visit to their doctor’s office for an overall checkup to ensure that they are in good health. There may be some problems lurking that could impede fertility, and it’s ideal to know if those problems exist BEFORE months of frustration.

2. Exercise!

Getting out together for a walk around the neighborhood before or after work is such a fantastic way to enhance overall health, and it’s a great way to have some quality time together, too.

3. Proxeed plus

proxeed package

This is a very simple way to support sperm quality: ensure that you have the nutrients needed for developing sperm! Carnitines are key, and it is not uncommon for someone’s diet to not have a sufficient quantity needed for healthy sperm development (3 grams a day). Proxeed plus is a complete carnitine-based formula and it targets sperm morphology, motility, concentration, count and linear projection to assist with male fertility. Proxeed plus contains 3-4 times more carnitines than other men’s health supplements. It comes in packets of powder that dissolve easily into water, juice or fruit smoothies and can be taken twice a day. Sperm quality may benefit from the use of Proxeed plus in as little as 90 days. This is a great product to begin taking even before you are ready to begin trying for baby.

4. Make the Switch

You may have heard the old wives’ tale about men switching from briefs to boxers when the couple is trying to conceive. Well, it’s actually quite good advice! If your man prefers more fitted underwear, treat him to some nice new boxers. Besides, there’s no better way to celebrate getting new underwear than by taking it off! 😉

I hope these ideas can help the men feel a little more included in the preparation process for conception. Both parties involved need to pay attention to their health and wellness! Be sure to check out the link for where to buy Proxeed plus (use code SPERM at checkout to save $10!) and check out this quick video for more information. You can see the entire suite of Proxeed plus videos on their Youtube channel, as well.

Proxeed plus is a complete carnitine-based formula for male fertility that targets multiple sperm functions, including morphology, motility, concentration, count and linear projection. For more information, visit www.proxeedplus.com

This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links. I received a box of Proxeed plus for my own personal use. All opinions, text and experiences are my own. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

3 Things to Keep in Mind When Trying to Conceive (TTC)

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Astroglide TTCâ„¢ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine.

I remember all too well when Tim and I first decided that we were ready to expand our family and turn 2 into 3. It was an exciting season that all too rapidly became stressful, at least for me. I hope that some advice I can offer on this side of the journey can help those of you out there who are thinking about trying to conceive or already on that path, and maybe even getting a little stressed out! trying to conceive 1

1. Statistically-Speaking, This Will Take a While
I spent so many years of my adult, married life actively trying to prevent pregnancy. So I assumed that taking contraception off the table was like moving the critical Jenga piece…the tower would fall, or in this case, I would just no longer NOT be pregnant, right?I mean, maybe. For some that does happen. But for healthy couples with no obvious obstacles in their way (such as advanced maternal age, PCOS, low sperm count, etc.), it is perfectly normal for it to take 6 months or longer to get pregnant. I was totally clueless about that fact, and I wish I had realized and accepted it sooner and not spent those months being very frustrated.
2. Sex Will ChangeThere is a very distinct difference between sex for fun and intimacy and sex with the goal of creating a baby. It’s just not as, well, SEXY. With that said, one of the things I wish I had known about that would have made the process feel better (yup, I mean that literally) is a sperm-friendly lubrication. I remember learning about the fact that many lubricants can interfere with sperm doing their jobs, and so it got the boot. Astroglide Trying to Conceive TTC is a fantastic option to consider, as it has been specially formulate to provide an environment where sperm has a good chance of survival. pH levels are adjusted and the consistency is meant to mimic what your body would create during ovulation.  Since this is probably going to take a while, I suggest that you do yourself a favor and get a product that will keep you comfortable without causing you to worry that you are diminishing your odds for success.

trying to conceive 2

 3. Sponteneity is Important! 
Are you charting your body temperature to determine when you are ovulating? That’s a common practice, and it’s a smart one, too. But let me tell you from personal experience that there’s something to be said for practicing some old habits and being spontaneous with your rendezvous, rather than simply focusing on doing what the chart says. I charted like it was MY JOB when we were trying for our first child, and distinctly remember leaving town for a few days for a business conference, at least 4 days past when all of my charts said it was even possible for me to conceive. My first thought was, “There’s absolutely no point in having sex right now.” But I was going to miss my husband, and so…you know…
I guarantee you that this is when our little Darah came to be, based on how she measured and when my due date was. It wasn’t even possible on paper, and yet, it happened. Thank goodness for a little sponteneity, am I right?!
I know this can be an overwhelming time, especially when you don’t get that “big fat positive” sign you are looking for after your first round of trying. But I promise you that there was a time when sex was a lot of fun for you and your partner, and you really can tap back into that by opting for spontaneous, comfortable fun together!