Factors affecting pregnancy

What factors have an impact on pregnancy?

An inability to conceive is often caused by a combination of different factors. These may be both environmental and physical. In your initial consultation and the subsequent treatments, our doctors will be happy to advise you in detail about the various influencing factors. In addition, we will also explain what you can do to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Below is an overview of the best-known influencing factors on pregnancy.

Body weight – Being both overweight and underweight can reduce fertility

Being underweight or overweight has an impact on fertility and the chances of getting pregnant. This is true of both men and women equally. Cell metabolism causes the majority of the male sex hormone testosterone to be converted into the female sex hormone oestrogen in the cells of your abdominal fat. In women who suffer from weight problems, an overproduction or underproduction of oestrogen leads to an imbalance in the body’s hormone levels and thus reduces fertility. In overweight men, too much testosterone is converted into oestrogen. This has an effect on sperm quality. Being underweight has an equally negative effect on virility. In these cases, depending on your initial weight, gaining or losing weight may increase fertility in both sexes. However, this should be done carefully and slowly.

Smoking and pregnancy don’t go together

Excessive nicotine consumption has a similar effect on fertility in both men and women. For women, egg maturation and the functioning of the ovaries are limited. This means it takes much longer to get pregnant, even when undergoing fertility treatment.

For male smokers, the quantity and quality of sperm are significantly lower. This reduces the chances of a sperm reaching an egg cell and fertilising it.

Excessive burdens and stress confuse the hormones

Regular sport strengthens the body and increases the chances of getting pregnant. However, intensive exercise often puts the body under too much stress. As a result, many women find that their menstrual cycle changes or is missed completely. The means it is not possible to accurately determine fertile days. A lack of sleep, emotional burdens and stress have a similar impact on fertility. This goes for both men and women alike.

A healthy pregnancy diet

A balanced diet is of vital importance for a healthy body. If you and your partner are trying to conceive, you should make sure you get a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and enough fluids. If your diet is unhealthy, your body tends to quickly reduce its fertility by itself. Here, you can find more information about how a varied pregnancy diet increases your chances of getting pregnant.

Endometriosis: Nutrition can limit the effects of the illness

Endometriosis is a benign yet unpleasant growth of the uterus. It can reduce fertility or even cause infertility. A healthy diet can do a great deal to reduce the symptoms that occur. Make sure you get plenty of fresh and unprocessed foods and lots of fluids. It’s also important to limit your consumption of sugar and fatty foods.

Do your body a favour for pregnancy

• Get enough exercise: Taking regular walks and doing gentle sports reinforce your immune system and strengthen your body.

• Drinking a lot of water & a balanced diet: These are essential for a healthy body.

• Rest & relaxation: Give your body some time to rest. It is during these phases in particular that it gains strength to deal with physical stress. This also means ensuring a balanced sleep cycle.