SUPPORT YOUR FERTILITY

Whether you’re looking to start a family now or later, there are practical steps you can take. Here, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Larisa Corda and nutritional therapist Melanie Brown walk you through the essentials

Reach your body’s happy weight

‘If you’re overweight or obese, take sustainable steps to reach a healthy weight,’ says Brown. ‘If you’re underweight, increasing your body fat will signal to your brain that your body can support a pregnancy.’

Eat a balanced diet

‘It’s important to consume enough complex carbs,’ notes Brown, who points to research indicating that they promote ovulation. ‘You need good fats for fertilisation, and quality protein provides the building blocks to eggs.’

Mind your movement

‘Sitting down all day can reduce blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, so stand up as much as possible,’ says Brown. Be careful about overexercising, too. ‘Exercising too intensely for too long can increase levels of cortisol in the body, which can be a barrier to conceiving.’

Mitigate stress

‘This is essential if you’re looking to get pregnant,’ says Dr Corda. Plot out your stressors on a page, then note the things you can’t control (an unwell parent, for example), the things you can take steps to address (long working hours) and the things you can fix without much hassle (too many plans).