Steps for an easy and healthy pregnancy

At EmBIO Fertility Center, we have two goals for your treatment:

• the first is to help you become pregnant
• the second is to help you experience an uncomplicated pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby.

Here is a list of ways you can help achieve these goals:

Learn to Manage Stress

Stress may contribute to infertility—and infertility is a major source of stress. Stress alone may cause a woman to stop ovulating. EmBIO Fertility Center invites all our patients to participate in stress reduction programs.

Don't Smoke

If you smoke, we recommend that you stop. In addition to the detrimental effects on general health, smoking has a negative impact on fertility. Also, women who smoke during pregnancy increase the risk of premature labor, decreased fetal growth, and other complications.

Avoid Alcohol

Avoid alcohol completely. Alcohol can interfere with getting pregnant. Also, it increases the chance of birth defects during pregnancy.

Limit Caffeine

Several studies have concluded that a woman's chance of becoming pregnant decreases, and the likelihood of miscarriage increases when caffeine is ingested. We recommend that you consume less than 50 mg of caffeine per day. A cup of coffee has about 150-200 mg, and tea and soft drinks have up to 40 mg.

Don't Use Recreational Drugs

The use of cocaine or heroin during pregnancy may cause the baby to have severe withdrawal reactions after birth. Some drugs, such as marijuana, may decrease sperm production. Intravenous drugs increase the risk of HIV or hepatitis.

Discuss Medications with your doctor

Tell your doctor about any prescription medications you are taking, and tell the physician who prescribed your medication(s) that you are trying to get pregnant. Avoid Ibuprofen since it can interfere with ovulation. Tylenol is a good alternative. Herbal remedies should be completely avoided since their effect on fertility and pregnancy is unknown.

Maintain a Healthy Body Weight

Being overweight creates a higher chance of complications during pregnancy, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and the formation of blood clots. Women who are overweight tend to have larger babies, more difficult deliveries, and more likely to require a cesarean section.

On the other hand, the normal menstrual function requires at least 22% body fat. Eating disorders and extreme exercise often result in abnormally low body fat and can contribute to infertility. If you are underweight or overweight, we recommend that you consult the nutritionist at EmBIO for Complementary Healthcare.

Take Vitamin Supplements

Take at least 0.4 mg of folic acid daily. Several studies have confirmed that folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects in infants by almost 50%. (Neural tube defects are abnormal developments of the spine and skull, such as spina bifida.) Prenatal vitamins contain safe doses of nutrients. It is often recommended that women take these vitamins once a day when trying to conceive.

Exercise in Moderation

Moderate exercise during pregnancy is beneficial. However, the medications used to stimulate the ovaries as part of your treatment can cause temporary ovarian cysts. Therefore, we may advise you to avoid high-impact exercise activities (i.e., running, step aerobics). Also, extremely strenuous exercise may disrupt the menstrual cycle.

Maintain Good Nutrition

Nutrition can influence the establishment and maintenance of a pregnancy. Extremes of body weight can alter ovarian function. While you are trying to conceive and throughout pregnancy, eat a well-balanced diet and avoid foods with high content of fats and oils.

Continue Routine Gynecologic Care

Continue your routine care with your gynecologist or primary care physician during your infertility treatment. This should include a yearly blood pressure check, physical examination, pelvic examination, Pap smear, and mammogram if you are over 40.