- My wife is the one who will be carrying the baby when she gets pregnant so I really don’t see why she told me I have to quit smoking. Is there any reason to stop smoking before she gets pregnant other than what I believe is her master plan to get me to stop smoking.
Yes there really is a reason why men should decrease and if possible stop smoking or using other tobacco products prior to conceiving. The toxins in tobacco have been shown to damage cell structure and function. Therefore, your sperm is at risk for damage. Slowly work on decreasing your use and if possible quit. This will not be easy so take your time and go at a pace that works well for you. Also make sure you have a healthy balanced diet. Eat fruits and vegetables with plenty of color for the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These foods help protect all your cells from damage and increases function.
- I feel like there is a lot of pressure from my doctor about my weight. I know I have to watch what I eat and I am told I have to exercise. I have not changed anything about my lifestyle and not sure where to start and I am not even sure what to focus on besides my weight. Is this something you can help me with?
Yes I most certainly can help you with this. To be honest I feel people in general get too caught up in the number when it comes to weight. The most important is overall health not the number the scale gives you.
- I heard having lights on at night or the TV on while I fall asleep can cause problems with fertility. Is this true?
When you have lights on at night when you are trying to fall asleep this effects the amount of melatonin released into your body. Melatonin is a hormone that is released from the pineal gland located in the brain. Melatonin helps your body to maintain a rhythm of when to wake up or when to fall asleep. Melatonin also helps control the timing and release of women’s reproductive hormones.
If you are falling asleep with a TV or other lights on, it interferes with the amount of melatonin released into your body. A couple things you can try is wearing a sleep mask to block the light, if it is a way to decompress then perhaps try reading before bed. As the evening gets later start making your home just a little dimmer so your body starts to release melatonin and your body will start preparing for sleep.
- What is the number 1 reason not to let myself go during pregnancy?
Your health is what dictates your developing baby’s susceptibility to illness and chronic health conditions into adult hood. It doesn’t stop there either. This will also influence your grandchildren’s susceptibility as well.
- Why is my developing baby influenced so much by my personal health choices?
While you are pregnant you are basically sending messages to your baby letting them know how to develop for optimal survival. Their entire development is based on the perceived world they are developing for.
- I have never really liked to exercise and I was told I need to now that I am pregnant. What am I supposed to do?
First start with something fun like dancing or even swimming. Second start with something you find easy like walking a few minutes every day or even just 3 days a week with a loved one, a friend, or your dog. You can lift weights as well but start of light. There are also prenatal exercise classes and yoga so check out what is in your area, this is also a great place to meet other pregnant women and make new friends.
- My wife and want to start having a family. Is there anything I can do to help optimize the chances of my child’s health?
Make sure you are eating foods with antioxidants. The easiest way to get this into your daily diet is eating plenty of green vegetables, look for fruits and vegetables that are purple, orange, yellow, and red. You want to have your meals and snacks full of color. The bonus to this is you are also getting many other nutrients as well and not just antioxidants.
- My husband and I are thinking we might want to start a family soon but we have been so busy and under a lot of stress with our upcoming move, demands at work, and we are fairly newlyweds. If there is 1 thing we can work on together before we start to have kids what would it be?
Based on the information you just told me I would say the number 1 thing you and your husband can do together is work on managing your stress. You have a lot on your minds and demands from those around you. Stress in men has shown to alter gene expression in sperm and this has shown to increase sensitivity to stress and other neuropsychiatric diseases. When women are stressed during pregnancy the same impacts have been shown.
Make sure and have downtime separately, we all need a little alone time to recharge our batteries. Spend some quality time together doing something fun that you haven’t been able to do in a long time. Go away for the weekend and turn off all electronics to have your own escape. Set time limits on all projects to help you stay on track with all you have to do and stick to your schedule.
- My husband and I are planning to have a baby within this year. I am worried about my blood pressure since it has been high for many years. Is there anything I can do before getting pregnant?
It is great you are thinking about your blood pressure while you are planning to get pregnant because you are giving yourself time to work on your health. If you are currently exercising keep it up! We can further discuss if you are ready for some adjustments to your exercise routine. With your diet keep watching your intake of salt and try to get most of your nutrition from non-processed foods. If time is limited and you need quick meals we can go over quick real food meal options. Stress can play a role in high blood pressure as well. Everyone’s body responds to stress in different ways. If you feel this is an area to address we can do that as well. If you have not already, talk to your doctor to see if you have restrictions to your exercise routine so we can plan accordingly and make sure they are aware you are planning to get pregnant so they can work with you as well to help you get ready for pregnancy.
10. I was diagnosed with post-partum depression and I do not want to take any medications for it. Is there anything else I can do at all that can help me before going on medications?
There are a couple things you can try. See if you can get blood work done to check your progesterone levels are where they need to be. If they are too low you can get progesterone injections to get it regulated. Also get your Thyroid levels looked at. Thyroid hormone helps the body use energy, stay warm and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs working as they should. The thyroid gland may also be the cause of the fatigue, anxiety, and depression. This has been referred to postpartum thyroiditis and does not show symptoms. This occurs after delivery and there have been fluctuations in the immune system.
Postpartum depression can occur because the placenta was producing large amounts hormones which stimulate the adrenal glands so that they too can produce hormones. Hormones from the adrenal glands also help you to feel emotionally good. After the placenta has been out of the body the adrenal glands lose the stimulation necessary to produce hormones as they did. As a new mom you are most likely not getting the amount of sleep you used to. Do not under estimate the importance of Sleep. Sleep also helps the adrenal glands during recovery as well as helping your body to heal from the labor. Luckily there are vitamins and minerals that can help promote the adrenal glands to produce these hormones: Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Folic acid, Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, Magnesium, Omega-3 Fatty acids (flax oil and fish oil)
As a new mom you are most likely not getting the amount of sleep you used to. Do not under estimate the importance of Sleep. Sleep also helps the adrenal glands during recovery as well as helping your body to heal from the labor
If these options do not work then talk to your doctor again and see what the next step should be.