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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.

nutrition tips for getting pregnant

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! 🙂

conception-friendly lubrication

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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Filed Under: Parenting · Tagged: fertility diet, getting pregnant, how to increase fertility, nutrition tips for getting pregnant, tips for getting pregnant, trying to conceive, trying to get pregnant, ttc

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! 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!

Filed Under: Parenting, Parenting Tips · Tagged: astroglide ttc, fertility friendly lubricant, no ads, noads, trying to conceive, trying to conceive tips, trying to get pregnant

Fertibella Trying to Conceive Kit: Video Review and FREE Trial!

March 17, 2012 · by Tiffany Merritt · 28 Comments

Today I’m sharing a video post with you talking about one thing that really surprised me when we were ready to start a family: it can be hard to get pregnant!

FertiBella has launched a product unlike anything else on the market, designed to help boost your natural odds of conceiving to their maximum potential. Check out my video review and see for yourself!

What have you got to lose? Go to conceiveeasy.com right now and get signed up for your free trial. If you aren’t happy with the product within 30 days, simply return it, no questions asked. When a company offers something like that, you KNOW they are confident about just how great their product really is!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Conceiveeasy.com. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 

Filed Under: General · Tagged: conceiveeasy.com, fertibella, fertibella cost, fertibella reviews, fertibella success stories, get pregnant, how to get pregnant, how to get pregnant faster, pregnancy tests, review, to get pregnant, trying to get pregnant, trying to get pregnant tips

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Welcome!


Grab your beverage of choice (mine is iced coffee) and let's hang out for a spell! I'm Tiffany, and I've rambunctious little girls and a fierce desire to share any tip and trick I can find to make lives with little ones a bit less hectic and a lot more fun. [Read more...]

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