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Emotional Fitness a factor in Conception
While good physical health - including
healthy diet and avoiding hazards
like smoking, drugs, and irradiation - is vital
to successful conception and pregnancy,
so too, is the emotional state. Most women are raised to think that they'll
become mothers some day. From the first baby doll to the last baby shower, girls
and women are surrounded by images and expectations from parents, peers,
religion, advertising, and media.
Fertility varies dramatically according to genetic inheritance,
but some women's ability to conceive starts to decline as early as
27.
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Our bodies have remarkable built-in mechanisms which help us to prevent us from
conceiving when we are not ready for it. Our body is less likely to ovulate when
the food supplies are short, similarly the hypothalamus can can switch off
its supply of stimulating hormones when it senses we are under extreme emotional
stress or pressure.
A diet rich in fruit, vegetables and meats (including fish) is
necessary to promote fertility. Meats, fruit and veggies are all
good sources of important minerals like
iron and
zinc.
Zinc is especially important for fertility
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Women with fertility problems are much more likely to have symptoms of
depression than fertile women. There are different
ways to build a sound emotional health:
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Adopting calming therapies such as relaxation techniques,
yoga, massage or acupuncture. A woman under
stress is less
likely to be interested in sex. In 1986, Dr Harrison and his colleagues at
the university of Dublin, Ireland, studied a group of women with unexplained
infertility. They all had high level of Prolactin, a hormone associated with
stress, which can also prevent ovulation.
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Keeping a journal where you can express your thoughts and emotions.
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Try something special with your partner, such as a weekend
getaway, to give yourselves a chance to remember what you love about each
other.
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Get regular exercise, like
walking or a bike ride,
which can reduce feelings of stress and depression.
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Seek professional help, including couples therapy or a support group.
You can visit an online discussion group at the American Infertility
Association Web site.
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 Educate
yourself about fertility problems. Read as much as you can about
fertility problems, and ask your doctor and
other couples in your same situation questions. This is especially important
when you're dealing with a fertility problem because the technologies behind
the treatments are complicated and
change quickly. "You've got to understand what's happening medically," says
Epstein, "or you won't be able to make informed choices."
A good emotional health is the ability to respond to your feelings at
appropriate time, facing them rather than fearing them.
Related Links
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