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Pregnant Pause
Understand Fertility Facts
For women trying to get pregnant, Dr. Licciardi recommends the following tips, which may help increase their odds:
- Fuel up on folic acid. Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, a B vitamin that can help reduce the risk of serious birth defects that affect the brain and spinal cord. For this reason, the FDA recommends that all women attempting pregnancy take folic acid supplements for decreasing chances of birth defects.
- Quit smoking, drinking and drugs now. Smoking or taking drugs greatly diminishes your chances of getting pregnant and can lead to miscarriages, premature birth and low-birth-weight babies. Plus, research suggests that smoking can affect your fertility and lower your partner's sperm count. In fact, studies have shown that even secondhand smoke may affect your chances of getting pregnant. It is also recommend that women avoid alcohol when trying for pregnancy.
Cut down on caffeine. Research shows that too much caffeine can reduce your ability to absorb iron and increase your risk for stillbirth. Avoid coffee, tea and colas or switch to decaf to increase your chances of getting pregnant. If you are a complete caffeine junkie, then the safe limit would be a cup a day. Try switching to milkshakes, which will boost your calcium as well and assist in conception. - Get your weight in check. Healthy-weight women have an easier time getting pregnant than overweight or underweight women. Studies show that women whose body mass index (BMI) is below 20 or above 30 have a harder time getting pregnant, so it's a good idea to try to get yourself into the 20 to 30 range before you start trying.
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