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Nutrition Tips for Getting Pregnant

August 21, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Are you thinking about getting pregnant? This may be your first or your sixth or anywhere in between, but whatever the case, there is some preparation that should go into getting your body ready for baby. Nutrition is a key component, and I want to share a few tips for what you should be doing right now if you are planning on getting pregnant in the next year.

1. Prenatal Vitamins Now!

The time is now to start taking those prenatal vitamins! Even if you are several months away from starting to try to conceive, now is the time to get that folic acid in your system, and to ensure that you have plenty of iron and other helpful vitamins and minerals. When you start to grow a baby these sources will quickly get depleted, so it’s best to start with a full tank, so to speak!

2. Vitamins for Him

Did you know that it takes approximately 90 days for sperm to become fully developed? That’s why your partner needs to be taking his own multivitamin, and ideally several months before you begin trying for baby.

3. Drop that Alcohol

You won’t be drinking alcohol once you get pregnant, so now’s the time to start weaning your body off of the sauce, especially if you drink socially on a regular basis. Limit yourself to one glass of wine or one beer per event, and limit the number of events where you are drinking altogether.

4. De-caffeinate

This one was the very hardest for me, personally. My drink of choice is iced coffee. Yours might be a latte or even a Diet Coke. Whatever your caffeinated beverage of choice may be, it’s time to cut back. Some studies have shown that high levels of caffeine can reduce the odds of conception. Caffeine can also interfere with your body’s ability to absorb iron and calcium, two things your body very much needs when growing a baby. Switching to low-acid and flavorful decaf coffee can help you still enjoy your morning ritual without the negative effects of caffeine. This allows you to savor the rich taste of coffee while being gentle on your stomach and ensuring your body absorbs essential nutrients more efficiently. Additionally, once you are pregnant, you will want to keep your caffeine consumption low, so it’s best to wean yourself off of it now rather than having to quit cold turkey. Take an honest assessment of how much caffeine you consume, and depending on how soon you want to start trying for a baby, you can determine a way to start switching over to decaf versions of the beverages you enjoy.

5. Whole Grain Goodness

I’ll spare you my soapboax speech about why refined grains are best avoided whenever possible. But you should know that refined grains (such as enriched flour) have been stripped of their vitamins, making them nutritionally void. By switching over to whole grains, you will start getting more iron and B vitamins that your body needs. I grew up on white bread and had to train myself to start enjoying whole wheat. It does take some time. You can find breads that have whole wheat AND enriched wheat in them. Start with those options for your transition, and then work your way over to whole grains. By eliminating enriched wheat from your diet, you’ll also help eliminate those insulin spikes they give you, which means that you won’t experience the corresponding energy slumps. And believe me, you’ll want to eliminate any and all energy zappers from your life once you are pregnant, as your pregnancy will claim most of your energy as it stands!

6. Colorful Diet

As a general rule, the more vivid the color of your fruits and vegetables, the more nutrient dense they are! So switch out your iceberg lettuce for romaine (or even better: spinach!). Switch out your baked potatoes for baked sweet potatoes. And go for as many blueberries as you want! Make the food you choose for your body be optimal fuel because that helps your body perform at it’s maximum potential (the same as giving a car with a sophisticated engine the higher grade gasoline!).

7. Fish Oil: It’s Easy!

The business of eating fish when you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant is a little bit tricky, because so many varieties of fish contain high levels of mercury. But getting your rich fatty acids is absolutely CRITICAL. So I suggest that you research the best fish to eat before and during pregnancy and how often you should have it, rather than eliminating it from your diet. And as a supplement, now is also the time to start taking a fish oil capsule.

All of these nutritional steps you can take are ones that don’t need to stop once the baby is born. A nursing baby will benefit greatly from these steps taken, and even after you have weaned, giving your body great fuel by way of a healthy diet and supplements will serve you well as your chasing that little toddler around! 🙂

Finally, if you are getting ready to try to conceive, you may want to look into conception-friendly lubrication. I wrote a post on some things to keep in mind when trying to get pregnant. For example, many people don’t realize that the lubrication they are using might actually impede their odds of a successful conception! Astroglide TTC is a fantastic alternative for you to have on hand so that the moment you are ready to start trying, you won’t have to sacrifice your comfort.

Any other tips for readers out there who are getting ready to start trying to conceive?

Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine

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

June 30, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

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.

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

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)

June 18, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · 7 Comments

Astroglide TTC™ 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!

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.

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!

Trying to Conceive? Meet The Stork OTC (Giveaway!)

November 5, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

This post is brought to you by The Stork OTC and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.

Some of you may recall a post I wrote a while back about a conference call I attended where I learned about this amazing conception aid called The Stork. The company was working really hard at that time to get the device FDA approved to be sold over the counter (OTC).

I’m thrilled to tell you that The Stork is now The Stork OTC, and you can find it at CVS, no prescription needed!

The Stork OTC is a product that uses cervical cap insemination, which can help with many common fertility difficulties. It is unique on the market, and the fact that it is now available over the counter is wonderful news for the thousands of couples who are struggling to conceive at any given time.

The Stork OTC is also a drug-free, economical option that is far less expensive and less invasive. It’s a really great first step for couples who might be struggling, or who simply want to maximize their chances of conceiving in a given month.

The Stork OTC Packaging

Here’s a great video showing how the device works so you can get a better understanding.

Very clever, right? Such a simple, yet effective concept. I’m so glad it’s available over the counter now! If you want to follow along with the brand, be sure to follow their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Twitter Party!

I hope you can join me on Twitter tomorrow, November 6th, at 2pm ET. We’re going to be chatting about The Stork OTC, and we’ll also be giving away FIVE $50 CVS/pharmacy gift cards! To get more details on the party, click here, and be sure to follow #TheStorkOTC hashtag during the party, as well as the hosts (@TheMotherhood, @TheMotherhood25, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann).

Giveaway!

I’m also hosting a giveaway right now for The StorkOTC! One lucky winner will get to try it out or pass it along to a loved one who might benefit from it.

a Rafflecopter giveaway