Get Your Eggo Preggo...

I was talking to a friend of mine about getting pregnant, infertility issues, etc...I hope this post can help those of you that struggle with similar issues. 

It took me 6 1/2 years to get pregnant. To this day, I'm not sure why it took so long, but all of my infertility issues were cleared up as soon as we adopted our first daughter. Bam! Just like that, I was pregnant and had another baby within the year. While I'm no doctor, I do love to read and research all things regarding health. In doing so, I discovered that research suggests that women who eat a healthy, well rounded diet are more likely to become pregnant.

 "One study conducted on couples who were having trouble with fertility found that a higher-protein, lower carb diet helped increase pregnancy rates. Eating a diet of 25% or more protein and 40% or less carbs improved egg quality and doubled the pregnancy rate in IVF patients as opposed to those following a higher carb, lower protein diet".

Eggs are a great source of high quality protein and fat. The yolk of an egg is also high in choline, which has been linked to less stress for mom and baby.

New research from Cornell University indicates that pregnant women who increase choline intake in the third trimester of pregnancy may reduce the risk of the baby developing metabolic and chronic stress-related diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes later in life. So, eat your eggs to improve the quality of your eggs.

Another important macronutrient while trying to become pregnant is omega 3 fatty acids. 

"When you get pregnant, omega-3s are great for the baby's brain development," says Palinski-Wade. But they're excellent to have in your diet now because your body needs the healthy fats to keep hormones functioning properly—so you can get pregnant in the coming months. Work more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet each day by consuming chia seeds, flax seeds or eating wild caught fish each week".

Don't forget to load up on fresh, locally grown vegetables and some fruits. Fruits and veggies are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that improve your overall health. 

Finally, remember to stay active, eat well and take care of yourself. Strict dieting and over exercising are not recommended when trying to conceive. Often, that type of lifestyle will lead to the absence of your menstrual cycle and interrupt your hormones. As with everything, we encourage you to be mindful and be well.

BHW