Developing a fertility life plan
Do you want kids? When would
you like to have children? How many children would you like? A good time to
think about these questions is at the start of a woman's reproductive life.
After reflection, you can make a plan for a fertile life.
This fertility life plan can
be written down and discussed with your doctor (and/or your partner or family).
Some important topics to consider include folic acid supplements, alcohol and
tobacco, vaccinations, and family history. The following is an overview of some
key fertility considerations.
Folic acid
The recommended daily intake
of at least 400 mcg (or 0.4 mg) of folic acid helps prevent neural tube
defects. Neural tube defects are devastating abnormalities of the brain and
spinal cord in newborns.
Eating foods rich in folic
acid may prevent neural tube defects. Sexual activity or the desire to conceive
should be associated with better folic acid intake.
Alcohol and tobacco
Being aware of the risks
associated with alcohol is helpful for a fertility lifestyle plan. This
awareness is all the more important as the first phase of pregnancy is a
delicate time for the development of babies. Alcohol use coinciding with early
or unrecognized pregnancy can lead to mental retardation in newborns.
Similarly, smoking harms the
development of babies and can lead to premature birth. Therefore, it is
recommended to stop such habits when you may become pregnant or are trying to
become pregnant.
Vaccination
Vaccinations are a great and
cost-effective way to “buy insurance” against infectious threats for newborns.
Such insurance can be easily purchased in case of rubella, hepatitis B and
chicken pox.
The immediate pain of a shot
of the vaccine protects newborns from deafness, heart disease, liver disease,
blindness, and other complications of the above infections. Proper vaccination
should be part of a fertility treatment plan.
Family history
During cell division, annoying
errors in human genes can occur. These genetic errors are responsible for
conditions such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, neurofibromatosis, and
other conditions that have a profound effect on the lives of those who inherit
genes. Women planning a pregnancy should consider genetic counseling if there
is a family history of a hereditary disorder.
Participation of men
A fertility plan without the
participation of a man is incomplete. Such planning is facilitated by knowledge
of the factors that affect male fertility. Examples include smoking, diabetes,
obesity, scrotal temperature, and alcohol consumption.
Smoking, obesity, and diabetes
can impair erections by damaging the blood vessels in the penis. High scrotal
temperature due to tight pants or hot baths reduces sperm count. Excess alcohol
also harms erections and can affect sperm count.
An amazing study recently
showed that Western male sperm counts have dropped by 50% over the past 5
decades. To ensure fertility, men must lead a lifestyle with proper nutrition,
exercise, and abstinence from tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption.
Considering your partner
Pregnancy is a huge
responsibility that can always come from being sexually active. Folic acid,
recreational habits, vaccinations, and family history are all important
factors.
A good fertility plan should
also consider sexual partners and their suitability as potential parents and
partners. Would you trust this person as the mother or father of your child?
Have you and your partner discussed what they would like if you were pregnant
as a couple (parenting, adoption, abortion) and do you both agree? If you
answered "no" to one or both of these questions, you may want to
reconsider who you have sex with and who you don't.
Remember that a healthy baby starts with you!