Pre-Pregnancy Advice for Men

You are a couple and together you have decided that two should become three. It’s time to try for a baby. But while it is the female who will be carrying the child for nine months and her good health is vital, the importance of the man’s pre-pregnancy health should never be underestimated when you are planning on getting pregnant. Following good pre-pregnancy advice for men is just as important if, together, you are to create a healthy human being. Think of the months trying for a baby as months of preparation. Like an athlete training for an event, there are good habits which need adopting and bad ones that need ditching in the weeks ahead. Remember getting pregnant is not just up to the female. So what is the basic pre-pregnancy advice for men? 1. See your GP Get a full check up. If you are on medication check with your GP if you need to switch to something which will not affect your fertility. There are many medicines which can affect sperm production including some prescribed to help with ulcers, gastrointestinal problems, and urinary tract infections. Some steroids used to treat asthma, arthritis and skin conditions, can affect male fertility as can chemotherapy and radiation. 2. Check your environment Could your day-to-day environment be affecting your fertility? Frequent or continued exposure to certain pesticides including chemical-based fertilizers, mercury, chromium, lead, nickel, ethylene, petrochemicals and benzene can affect sperm and even lead to infertility. 3. Watch what you eat First and foremost check that you are not classed as over or underweight. If you are, then do something about it now with diet and exercise. Foods rich in the following nutrients are said to be especially good for men wanting to improve sperm production and/or motility: Zinc: Found in meat, seafood, pulses, eggs, baked beans, nuts, whole grains and pumpkin seeds. Vitamin C: Found in citrus fruits, berries, potatoes and green vegetables. Vitamin E: Found in vegetables, vegetable oils, fish and poultry. Folic acid: Found in green vegetables, brown rice, fortified bread and breakfast cereals. Selenium: Found in Brazil nuts and garlic. 4. Cut out the obvious If you are planning on your partner getting pregnant you really should avoid alcohol as this can deplete zinc levels and is proven to have a negative effect on sperm performance. Also eliminate tobacco, marijuana and any other illicit drugs from your life. 5. Keep cool More specifically keep your testicles cool. Hot tubs, saunas, long hot baths or showers, heating pads, electric blankets, and tight underwear can overheat the testicles thereby decreasing sperm quantity. Even cycling can cause too much heat through friction. 6. Be careful Try to avoid getting hit in the testicles. I’m sure that is always top of your “to do” list, but take extra care when trying for a baby. Severe bruising to the testicles can affect sperm for some months. Wear protection if you are doing rough contact sports.