Steps to improving my fertility

Determine ovulation

• Start by recording the dates and duration of your period on a period tracker smartphone app. Should you need to see a fertility specialist in the future, you will be glad you did this.
• Ovulation usually occurs 14 days before your next period. During ovulation, you may notice changes in your cervical mucus, followed by pre menstrual symptoms several days later.
• After determining the predicted ovulation day, have intercourse every alternate day, starting five days before the predicted day of ovulation & on the day of ovulation. 

Optimise health

• Ensure your pre-existing medical conditions (for example,  diabetes, phenylketonuria, hypertension and thyroid disease) are properly managed.
• Consult your GP/specialists that your medications are safe for pregnancy.

Vitamins & vaccinations

• Take 0.4 – 0.8mg of folic acid daily to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Higher amounts are required if you are on epilepsy medications or have diabetes.
• For women without pre-existing thyroid disorders, it's recommended to take an iodine supplement of 150 micrograms (μg) daily as you try to conceive, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.  For women with pre-existing thyroid condition, it's important to discuss your requirements with Dr Fong before commencing any iodine supplement.
• Vaccination is essential before pregnancy. See your GP if you are not immune to common community infections such as rubella and varicella.

Fitness

• Maintain a balanced diet and increase fruit and vegetable intake.
• Stay active and exercise 2-3 times a week.
• Maintain a healthy weight
  • Obesity in women can cause cycle disturbance, increase miscarriages, provoke hypertension, cause diabetes in pregnancy and make delivery more complicated.
  • Malnourished and underweight women may also have irregular cycles.

Toxin removal and lifestyle management

• Stop smoking, drinking alcohol or using recreational drugs.
• Reduce stress and achieve a relaxed state of mind
  • manage your commitments
  • see a fertility counsellor if you're not coping and your relationship is affected.

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