From fad diets to poor teeth hygiene, here are five things to look out for that will sabotage your chance for conception.
Table of Contents
Extreme Diets
According to experts, having a healthy body weight will give you the best chance to conceive. After all, obesity increases the risk of miscarriages due to poorer quality embryos as well as reduce ovulation.
However, embarking on a crash diet is not the answer to achieve a healthy weight range while trying to conceive. A low body mass index (BMI – 18.5 or less) or a very high BMI (over 30) could lead to irregular or missed periods, and having a very low BMI may even halt the ovulation process. An ideal diet would be one packed with nutrients coupled with a generous amount of water consumption. When in doubt, consult your doctor on a healthy weight-loss programme that you can embark on which won’t adversely affect your fertility.
Fish With High Mercury
Mercury is a heavy metal element that occurs naturally and also through industrial pollution. When fish feed in contaminated waters, the levels of mercury build up in the muscles. The older or bigger the fish, the more mercury is contained within their flesh. That said, certain types of fish harbour more mercury than others.
Studies have revealed that mercury is linked to infertility and miscarriage, as well as babies with birth defects when contaminated seafood is consumed by pregnant women. To be safe, follow the chart below in your fish consumption. A serving is the size of the palm of your hand.

Over-exercise
Being active is great in keeping your body in an optimum condition for conception. However, you do not want to be over-exercising as it will actually derail your pregnancy plans. Research has shown that overdoing exercises can increase the amount of time for women to conceive. Women athletes and gymnasts who train vigorously daily for hours on end have experienced disruption to their menstrual cycles, which interferes with their fertility. So, do continue with your morning jogs or body pump classes but just be careful not to overdo it.
BPA
It’s a great habit to lug a water bottle around and pack food for work. Not only will it save you money, it is good for your health, too. However, you may want to be sure that your water and food container are not made of bisphenol A (BPA), as it may disrupt your reproductive process and play a role in unexplained infertility, according to Harvard University researchers. BPA is a chemical commonly found in certain plastic items and aluminium can lining. Its presences is usually denoted by the recycling number 3 or 7 at the bottom of the plastic container, so do avoid consuming anything from these containers.
Bad Oral Hygiene
Did you know that bad oral hygiene can severely affect a man’s sperm count and for women with gum disease has a higher risk of premature births and giving birth to low-weight babies. So, if you can’t remember the last time you saw your dentist, make that appointment pronto. Maintaining good oral habits such as flossing daily and brushing your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day will go a long way towards a successful conception and healthy delivery.
The Best Opportunity For Conception
By avoiding all the no-nos mentioned above, you will inadvertently boost your chances for a successful conception. That said, why not give yourself a distinct advantage by knowing the exact time to conceive? Clearblue Digital Ovulation Test helps you determine when you are most fertile by measuring the change in Luteinising Hormone (LH) levels in a woman’s body, which helps you find out the two best days to conceive. Try it today!
