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The process of trying to conceive a baby is so exciting… but it can also be a very stressful time. No matter what route you take to conceiving, so many different things can affect the amount of time it takes to get pregnant, and of course, your partner's fertility comes into play here, not just yours. Fortunately, it may not totally be out of your control; there are things that your partner can do to boost their fertility and offer you support all at the same time.
Trying to find out how to boost sperm count, increase your partner's fertility, and be there for each other in the time it takes to get a positive test? Read on for tips for boosting fertility.
How to boost fertility: Taking charge of your health
Considering how linked fertility is to your overall health, it's not surprising that adopting new, healthier habits can have a big impact on your partner's fertility.
1. Clean up their diet
While a healthier, cleaner diet can certainly help — cutting back on processed food is a good place to start, there is actually fertility boosting food out there. Studies have shown that eating at least two servings of low-mercury fatty fish like salmon and trout each week can reduce the time it takes to get pregnant, as well as a daily serving of nuts.
2. Get plenty of exercise
Regular, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is best, and so is resistence training. Don't take it too far, though, because as Dr. Paula Brady told CNN, too much exercise can hurt more than it helps.
"Excessive exercise and endurance training have been associated with reduced sperm production and quality. And some aspects of exercising can be particularly deleterious, namely any activities that increase testicular temperature, like bicycling for five or more hours per week," she said.
3. Take fertility boosting supplements
Of course, it's important to exercise caution here — according to what Dr. Neel Parekh told Cleveland Clinic, many fertility supplements for men don't do what they claim to. The ingredients that actually are useful, though? L-Carnitine, Vitamin E
Vitamin C, CoQ10, Zinc are what to look for in a supplement.
How to emotionally support each other when trying to conceive
To be physically healthy, mental health is important, too, and that's where emotional support comes in. This can be important for same-sex couples who are also trying to conceive, too — just because your partner may not be taking a biological role in your fertility journey doesn't mean they can't be a part of the emotional side of things, too.
4. Offer an open line of communication
Trying to conceive is an emotional, difficult process — whether it takes just a few months or a few years. Your partner can be an invaluable resource to you during this time, since you'll likely be experiencing similar emotions about wishing you were just pregnant already. And not only will their emotional support be nice to have, it's also essential to feel like you're on the same team.
"I have to keep open communication with my husband. We're in this together—it's not my hurdle to face alone," Darcy Zalewski wrote for Mom.com about trying to conceive.
5. Make health and diet changes together
While trying to conceive, the partner who's carrying the baby often makes changes to their health, like cleaning up their diet and cutting back on alcohol and caffeine, to increase the odds of getting that positive test. Your partner should be on the same page as you with this, and can make those changes, too. You're not in this alone!
Lifestyle changes to boost fertility
Boosting fertility isn’t just about what’s going on internally — it’s also about controlling the external factors that can have an impact on the time it takes to conceive, too.
6. Avoid chemical products
There are certain products your partner can avoid that could be actively harming their fertility, thanks to the way they interact with the endocrine system. This includes chemicals like BPA, phthalates, pesticides, and parabens. Switching to stainless steel cookware instead of Teflon and using glass storage for food instead of plastic are two easy ways to help cut down on exposure.
7. Minimize stress
Studies have shown that stress can impact sexual performance — that's kind of key when trying to get pregnant! Make sure your partner is getting adequate sleep and taking time to manage their stress levels, whether that means taking a break to relax or even speaking with a therapist.
The journey to conceive can be a difficult one, but you and your partner are in it together — that's what's most important. Whatever hurdles you face, you'll face as a team.