If you’re pregnant, you might be a little bit too familiar with advice from passersby concerning your pregnancy and the health of your baby. These ideas may be confusing, and ultimately it’s up to you to determine what the right advice is. If you’re struggling to find good advice about staying healthy while pregnant, here are a few tips to keep in mind and ask your doctor about.

Exercise safely

Unless instructed by a doctor not to exercise while pregnant, it is recommended to engage in physical activities for two hours and thirty minutes each week. Maintaining a healthy weight through exercise and good dietary practices can help you control your cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Engage in less strenuous activities such as walking, dancing, swimming, or riding a bicycle. Activities such as soccer, skiing, gymnastics should be discouraged to avoid hitting your belly or falling. Also, avoid working out in a place with extreme heat, and do all exercises in moderation. Staying healthy while pregnant also involves practicing Kegel exercises to assist you during and after delivery.

Make regular visits to the doctor

Start prenatal clinics early for the doctor to monitor your health and that of the unborn baby. Start medications if your doctor recommends any to you. If you experience any symptoms like dizziness, bleeding, fever, vomiting, extreme headaches, or swelling, you should go to the hospital immediately. Avoid self-medication because you may not be aware of the impact that certain medications could have on your baby. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, pregnant mothers should get flu and whooping cough vaccines. Ask your doctor about this and make sure to get vaccinated at the right time during your pregnancy.

Eat in-season fruits and vegetables

Staying healthy while pregnant has a lot to do with how you nourish yourself. During pregnancy, you shouldn’t cut calories or attempt a fad diet. Your focus needs to be on providing proper nutrition for both yourself and your unborn child. Some major biotech crops, like corn and soybeans, may have additives that aren’t good for you during pregnancy, so try to shop local and organic when possible. Ensure your diet has fruits and vegetables, such as dark leafy green vegetables, which are rich in iron. Those nutrients are essential for making red blood cells and helping your body function properly.

Stay away from harmful substances and practices

If you’re concerned about staying healthy while pregnant, you need to avoid drugs, alcohol, and smoking. Not sure what these substances can do to your baby during pregnancy? Let’s take a look:

• Alcohol: Alcohol is passed to the baby while in the womb and may cause mental and physical abnormalities. It can also cause FASDs (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders).
• Drugs: The use of cocaine, heroin, and other drugs may expose the baby to congenital disabilities, premature birth, and even addiction to the substance you’re using.
• Tobacco: This substance contains nicotine which may cause sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), low weight at birth, premature births, and problems related to the respiratory system.

Make sure that you’re thinking about your baby and avoiding these substances until you are done breastfeeding to keep your baby safe and healthy.

Drive safe

When pregnant, you’ll still need to travel at times, which is okay. However, staying healthy while pregnant means taking every precaution necessary when travel is part of the picture. Consult your doctor if going for a longer distance and out of the country. If driving, take serious safety measures to avoid accidents. In 2020, motor vehicle accident fatalities fell by 2%, which means people took proper care on the road. Always wear a safety belt and place it between your breasts and avoid placing it across or above your belly. Sit a considerable distance away from the steering wheel and dashboard. If you feel dizzy or tired, do not drive. With spring showers, there are certain season-specific risks, like hydroplaning, so make sure that you’re driving in safe conditions when you go out.

When you’re concerned about staying healthy while pregnant, make sure you keep these tips in mind. In addition, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor with questions.

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Every year, there are tons of new kitchen gadgets that claim to make your life easier and cut down time spent in the kitchen. They all achieve that to some degree, but with such an oversaturated market, it’s tough to know which will do what it claims while giving you quality. But, there is an easier way to make delicious meals from scratch without the hassle.

Enter: the Thermomix.

Where other appliances fall short in delivering complete, tasty meals, this product can whisk, caramelize, brown, chop, steam, sauté, blend, boil, knead, emulsify and so much more all with the touch of a button. It’s basically a very powerful blender that also cooks and stirs. And if you want a cooking tool with an intuitive interface, it has that, too.

The high-end gadget is popular abroad (it’s made by the German company Vorwerk), but it made its US debut a few years ago. It recently upgraded its features (it can now ferment, pre-clean and sous vide for perfectly tender vegetables and meat), and it’s a winner.

After using it for a few months, [Full disclosure: Thermomix gave us a unit for testing, but did not pay for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own] I’ll admit it’s a bit of a cheat in the kitchen—but that’s a good thing if you’re a busy mama with zero time to spare.

Here’s what I loved about it:

1. You’ll never need a cookbook again.

The recipe platform has more than 40,000 recipes from around the globe. So you can pretend to have breakfast in Rome, lunch in South Africa, cocktails in Australia and dinner in Paris. Yum!

Each recipe is also preset with the time, temperature and speed for each step so you can’t overcook a meal. Just press start and follow the step-by-step instructions.

2. It’s perfect for mamas on the go.

If you love to cook—particularly if you’d like to prepare entire meals in one pot—but don’t have tons of time, this is for you. You no longer need several appliances for one dish—everything you need is in one place. It’s also pretty cool because it allows you to cut down on waste, too. For instance, you can add vegetable stalks to a morning smoothie, make fruit juice with peels and even turn leftovers into a delicious quiche in minutes.

3. The built-in scale is a huge help.

If you’re anything like me, you hate measuring ingredients for recipes. I usually find myself eyeballing a measurement until it simply “feels like it’s enough.” But when cooking complicated meals, precision and accuracy is a must. I love that this product doesn’t let you down with its built-in digital weighing scale. Just throw items into it and it tells you the exact weight.

4. It simplifies meal planning.

Thermomix TM6 allows you to easily generate, organize and email shopping lists based on what’s scheduled in your weekly planner. Just download the app to start planning (and sharing with your family) weekly meals.

5. Takes the place of baby bottle warmers + food makers.

Instantly heat 3.5-63.5 ounces of water for baby bottles and purée almost any fruit or vegetable in minutes. I use it to make baby food for my 7-month-old fairly regularly and having this on hand in the kitchen is seriously a game-changer.

6. You can ask for help anytime.

Thermomix TM6 can seem complicated at first, but if you need help, you can ask a Thermomix consultant to show you how it can meet your needs and tastes. If you have the time, you can also attend cooking classes and purchase booklets and accessories to educate yourself.

So is it worth it?

In short, the Thermomix TM6 is a bit of a unicorn in the kitchen appliance world and that’s why it won 2019 for me. It has countless benefits for hectic mamas—or foodies in general. The downside? It’s rather oversized so if you don’t have the kitchen counter or storage space, this may not be for you.

Also, if you have little ones, you may not want to use it while they are sleeping. Depending on what you’re cooking and the feature you’re using, the Thermomix TM6 can be noisy. Also, the price ($1,499) is extremely hefty. So if you think you’ll only use a small portion of the features, it’s not worth it. But, if you’re up for the challenge and want to consolidate many of your kitchen tools with this, you can unlock thousands of recipes to provide you with cool ideas, inspiration, and good food—for even your pickiest toddlers.

The post Why the Thermomix is the only kitchen appliance busy mamas need ? appeared first on Parenting Boss.

Many people consider a hospital birth as the safest way to bring a new life into the world. With
the pandemic, however, some parents-to-be worry about the potential implications of knowingly
sharing breathing space with others, especially in a medical facility. It’s understandable — the last
thing we want to think about while giving birth is contracting anything other than a baby!

If you’re feeling anxiety about having a hospital birth, here are some ways to bring some some
peace of mind back into your decision.

Make a Birth Plan

With a birth plan, you can outline what you want your hospital birth experience to be.
Pre-pandemic, a birth plan included everything from who supports you during the actual birthing
process to which family members are allowed to visit after your delivery. True, many hospitals
have changed what’s allowed. During your virtual or in-person hospital tour, they should be able
to tell you what to expect when, and after, you give birth.

Focus on the decisions you can control: how soon you want to do skin-to-skin contact with your
baby; whether you want a c section, an epidural, or an unmedicated birth (to the extent that you
can state your preferences ahead of time); whether you want the lights dim or bright; whether
you’ll want a photo nearby of a loved one who can’t be in the room with you; whether you want
to labor standing or lying down; and whether you’ll breastfeed, for example.

This is still YOUR hospital birth, and you get to decide some things that no one else can.

Remember that your medical team is the
expert in hospital births

It may be your first time ever to give birth, and/or perhaps it’s your first time to give birth in a
hospital — but it’s far from your labor and delivery team’s first rodeo.

Your ob gyn and the team that supports them is specifically trained in birthing to address all
potential medical emergencies, complications, and all other aspects of labor and delivery. High
risk or not, they’ve seen it all before and are trained to facilitate the birthing process for you. A
baby is still a baby, just as it’s always been.

As for the “standard” births that require no interventions — which still comprise the vast majority
of hospital births — labor is second nature to every nurse, doctor, and/or certified nurse midwife
there. The pandemic has changed nothing about that. The birth experts are there to help ensure
the safety of mother and baby — not only during the hospital birth, but also afterwards while
you’re in recovery.

Furthermore, at this point in the pandemic, your medical team will already have lots of
experience — and therefore greater comfort, themselves — with managing your delivery and
helping to keep you healthy.

Manage your internal dialogue

The pandemic has no hold on your inner voice. What mantras can you start practicing now to
help keep you in a peaceful state of mind while you’re in labor?
Just as you could pre-pandemic, you can pray, meditate, take calming breaths, or stretch — and
labor the way YOU want to, provided there’s no medical risk to you or baby.

Envision the labor and delivery you want to have in the hospital setting, including the kinds of
thoughts with which you’ll work to fill your mind. Likewise, practice releasing any thoughts that
aren’t conducive to your peace of mind as you prepare to deliver.
The mind-body connection can be powerful, especially when your body “talks” as much as it
does in labor!

Speak with someone who’s had a hospital
birth during the pandemic

Do you know anyone who’s had a hospital birth during COVID-19? Talk to them. See what
challenges they encountered with their labor and birth process so that you can be proactive to
address whatever concerns arise.

If you don’t know anyone who had a baby in a hospital during this time, find a locally-based
social media group where you can inquire about the current labor and delivery situation at your
hospital from someone who’s been there. Perhaps their delivery wasn’t all that different from
what you’ve envisioned for your birth. If it was, it can be helpful to think it through ahead of
time.

Do your research

Knowledge is power, right? If you’re second guessing whether a hospital birth is still the right
care plan for your and your baby’s health, examine your options.
While it’s true that home births increased 77% from 2004-2017 (and even more so during the
pandemic), that still doesn’t mean a home birth is for everyone. You can also investigate birthing
centers and other options to see if their approach resonates with you and are a good match for
your situation.

Perhaps you’ll find an alternative to a hospital that still gives you the medical support you crave;
or perhaps you’ll confirm your instinct that birthing in a hospital gives you the most peace. Either
way, you’ll have empowered yourself with knowledge to support your instincts.
Mostly — and whatever you choose — trust yourself and your medical team. After all, when
you’re rewarded with the birth of a baby, the location will soon be an afterthought.

Sarah R. Moore is the founder of Dandelion Seeds Positive Parenting. As a certified gentle parenting coach and trainer, she’s a regular contributor to international parenting magazines, as well as frequent guest on podcasts and parenting summits. She offers a popular series of mini-courses, webinars, and FREE expert interviews. She’s currently writing two books that will be released this year. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube. 

The post Hospital Birth in a Pandemic: 5 Easy Ways to Gain Peace of Mind appeared first on Parenting Boss.

Danielle Mahatzri, owner of Miss Clutter Professional Organizing, tells Motherly, “Purging is essential for tidying any space because it helps us become more intentional about our belongings. When our playrooms contain the essentials, you’ll notice your kids are more engaged in play and less flustered by the clutter. Tidying is like brushing your teeth, in order to avoid build-up you must purge on at least a quarterly basis as part of maintaining a tidy space all year round.” So whether it’s fresh new storage boxes or trying out a company that will replace your child’s outgrown clothes with ones that do, the less mess the better, mama.

Here are some of our suggestions for getting started…

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Like many of my Internet searches, I started down one path (searching for Easter basket ideas) and slowly fell down the online rabbit hole, somehow landing on charcuterie boards for kids. And wow, what a discovery. While #kidscharcuterie on Instagram is a wealth of inspiration and a yummy starting point, I just have to share The Baker Mama with you. Maegan Brown is a cookbook author and mother of four, and her food boards for kids go way beyond your traditional meat and cheese platter. From weeknight dinner ideas like a mac and cheese board with multiple toppings or a build-your-own rice bowl to special occasions like an Easter Bunny veggies and hummus platter, Brown is showcasing a way of eating that’s creative and entertaining. For the pandemic weary, this could be a refreshing change in the mealtime rotation (I could use some inspiration here myself). And who knows, for any finicky eaters at home, perhaps carrots will look a bit more intriguing if they’re picked from a colorful rainbow?

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Want baby to sleep through the night right away?

You’re desperate for sleep and the title of this post seemed liked the Holy Grail. You want to believe it could be true, that there is a magical answer out there. When our own sleep is compromised we can barely think of anything else but our tiredness. I understand. I have four children and I have been where you are once or twice in my life. Well, several hundred times, more like.

If this title above read, “Teach your baby to talk in ONE day!” or “Give your bald baby a full head of hair in ONE day!” you would laugh and expect the article to be comedy. The truth of babies and sleep is this: It is not entirely up to you. It’s also about biology.

Seriously, parents. Don’t get duped by anyone who promises an instant one-day or one-week solution. If such a thing existed everyone would know about it by now. But we are dealing with unique human beings. There is no miracle answer to all-night sleep! And no baby changes their sleep patterns in one day, or even one week.

Unrealistic expectations about Baby’s Ability to Sleep through the Night

Unrealistic expectations are the perpetuation of the myth that children should sleep independently through the night from the time that they are a few months old. Sure, a handful of babies do sleep through the night from the start (I had one of them! Just one out of four, though!) but most do not.

Sleep patterns, and the ability to sleep all night, have a powerful biological foundation. We can affect this somewhat with routines and our actions, but just like your child’s eye color, height, and the amount of hair on their head, much of your child’s sleep patterns are out of your control.

Babies have immature sleep systems

Babies have very tiny tummies. They grow rapidly. And their liquid diet digests quickly. Although it would be nice to lay your little bundle down at a predetermined bedtime and not hear a peep from him until morning, even the most naïve among us know that this is not a realistic goal for a baby. During the first two years, your baby will have tremendous growth spurts that affect not only daytime feedings, but nighttime feeding needs as well.

This means that it is perfectly natural, absolutely normal, and totally expected for your baby to wake up in the night and need nourishment or your help to fall back to sleep.

Patience, patience and a little more patience

The ability to sleep through the night, all night, every night, without needing a parent’s assistance, is like learning to walk or talk or drink from a cup — all kids get there, but they do so at their own speed, a little bit at a time, and in their own unique way.

I suggest that you learn to relax about night waking right now. Being stressed or frustrated about having to get up won’t change a thing. The situation will improve day by day; and before you know it, your baby won’t be so little anymore — your little one will be walking and talking and getting into everything in sight … during the day, and sleeping peacefully all night. But you’re in this no-sleep stage now, so do what you can to get through it as comfortably as you can. Take naps. Accept help. Relax your standards. And most of all, enjoy your baby.

This article was originally published on the author’s blog.

The post Get Your Baby to Sleep through the Night in ONE day! appeared first on Parenting Boss.

Organization is my love language. Even if it’s not yours, consider this: Home is the launchpad of our lives, and if yours is suffocating under the weight of stuff and disorder, your energy, brainpower and well-being are suffering the same fate. Even before Marie Kondo hit the scene, research revealed just how life-changing a tidy home can be.

For example, a clutter-filled house has been linked to procrastination and, among those in their fifties, life dissatisfaction. Studies show it spikes stress hormones in working moms and may encourage overeating. Neuroscientists discovered through MRI tests that when there’s too much clutter, your brain has trouble focusing and processing information—which is why it may cause you to feel distracted and unmotivated. And it can ding your memory, trigger anxiety and, at the very least, cause you to waste precious minutes and energy searching for the f#%*! [fill in the blank] that always goes missing.

Recently I’ve been following the (inspiring) decluttering journey of my pal Liz Vaccariello, the editor in chief of Real Simple. A true member of the Fully Charged sunshine squad, she runs a tight and tidy ship at work, but at home, she’s married to a man she (lovingly) refers to as #clutterhusband. Around the time she took the reins of Real Simple, she began taking back her home one small move at a time.

Obviously, there are different degrees of clutter. If you’re more of a “keeper of stuff ” than a KonMari convert, there are professionals who can help (like @theprojectneat or @doneanddonehome).

For the rest of you who, like Liz and me, struggle with just keeping on top of the enormous influx of random-ness that materializes when you stop paying attention, the best thing you can do is declutter daily. Spend five to ten minutes either at the end of the night or first thing in the morning, tidying, putting away or doing whatever you need to start seeing more surfaces again.

Quick clutter fixes

1. Try a tray.

One of the first things Liz did to turn #clutterhusband into #herohusband: Corral all the little stuff that collects in various spots (counters, entry tables).

2. Give everything a home.

[Not having a designated spot for everything] is the leading cause of clutter. Decide where things should live (or make a home for them) and get out the label maker so everyone can drop stuff off where it belongs.

3. Keep a giveaway bag at the ready.

You never know when the urge to purge will strike, and having a home for castaways

makes it effortless. For me, that means a Thredup bag in my closet and a shopping bag for the Salvation Army by the front door.

4. Send stuff to purgatory.

Kids given only four toys to play with stayed occupied and engaged twice as long as kids given sixteen toys, according to one study. It’s also estimated most people wear only 20 percent of their wardrobes most of the time. Pack a bunch of stuff away and every few months, “shop” the box.

5. Outsource.

One reason clutter increases working moms’ stress is because they often feel responsible for staying on top of it. Get everyone in on that sweet declutter action. ([Very] detailed chore charts have worked for us!)

This article has been excerpted from Your Fully Charged Life: A Radically Simple Approach to Having Endless Energy and Filling Every Day with YAY (TarcherPerigee (February 23, 2021).

Want more amazingly helpful tips for Meaghan? Listen to her interview on The Motherly Podcast or order her book!

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Nesting is an impulse that can happen during the third trimester of your pregnancy. It includes any needs to organize, clean, or mentally prepare for your baby’s arrival. Not every mother feels the need to nest, but many do have the urge to prepare for the arrival of their baby. Sometimes nesting can even extend past when your child is born.

What are the signs of the nesting phase?

You know that you’re in the nesting phase when you feel the overwhelming need to take care of things. Tasks like washing linens, reorganizing your fridge, perfecting your nursery design, and going on shopping sprees for baby items are common. You may also feel the need to finish any incomplete home improvements that are still in progress. Considering that 14% of homeowners planned on making kitchen home improvements in 2018, you may have a project that needs to be finished before your baby comes. If you feel an urge to do everything in your power to prepare for your baby’s birth, you are probably in the nesting stage.

Things to keep in mind while you’re nesting

While many women experience safe nesting, there are still some things you should keep in mind to ensure you don’t injure yourself or your baby. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Don’t climb ladders. Climbing ladders to reach higher shelves or dust the ceiling is not a great idea during your last trimester. Your balance is likely to be off, and if you fall you can injure yourself and your baby. It’s better to ask someone else to help you with whatever task you need to climb for.

Don’t lift heavy objects.Trying to lift heavy objects may be tempting, especially if you feel up to it, but you can easily injure yourself during your last trimester with heavy objects. Once again, delegating heavy lifting tasks to someone else is a better choice.

Don’t let yourself get too stressed. Although you may feel like there are a million things you need to do before your baby is born, you should make sure to take a step back and relax. It can be easy to get overwhelmed, but your support system of friends and family will be there to help you, and there’s no use worrying over unpredictable things before your baby is born.

Take frequent breaks. When you’re physically exerting yourself by cleaning or organizing, you will probably find yourself getting tired more easily than you did pre-pregnancy. Make sure to balance this out by taking breaks any time you feel you might need one.

Avoid harsh chemicals. If you’re cleaning your bathroom or kitchen, make sure that you’re not using any harsh chemicals, like bleach. If you delegate cleaning tasks that require harsh chemicals, make sure that you’re steering clear of the area being cleaned. In addition, keep it well-ventilated while chemicals are being used.

Safe things to do during nesting

There are some things that you’ll want to do while you’re coping with nesting that will be safe as long as you’re listening to your body and your limits. Here are a few things you can do:

Restock your food. If you feel the need to restock on pantry and freezer staples, there’s no reason not to. Having food staples handy means you won’t have to worry about going to the grocery store right after your delivery.

Meal prep. If you want, prep some meals that you can freeze and defrost once your baby is born. This is a very helpful urge because you might not have time to cook elaborate meals once you have a newborn.

Get your nursery painted. While it might not be safe to paint the nursery yourself, there’s no reason not to hire a professional. A bedroom costs around $400-$600 to paint, though that pricing will vary depending on where you live, and it can be a real relief to get someone else to do all the work for you.

Prep nursery essentials. Essentials like making sure that your baby’s diaper station, crib, and clothing are ready to go are crucial. You can definitely work on preparing these while you cope with nesting.

Prep for your post-delivery body. Getting your things ready for after you deliver your baby is just as important as making sure that your baby’s things are ready. Make sure you stock up on things like super-absorbent pads, witch hazel, medicated pads, ice packs, nursing bras, and cheap underwear that you can throw out if they get ruined. Having these essentials on hand will make it much easier to take care of yourself and your baby after delivery.

Do laundry. As long as you aren’t trying to lift heavy loads of laundry, there’s no reason not to get laundry done while you cope with nesting. You can wash your baby’s clothes, towels, sheets, blankets, duvets, and anything else that needs to be washed.

Deep clean. If you want to vacuum, dust, sweep, or anything else, there’s no reason not to while you have the time. Make sure that if you’re dusting you don’t try to climb up to reach higher up surfaces. There are dusters designed to extend to avoid having to climb up. You can also ask someone else to do the work for you.

Delegate home improvement projects. While you can’t do the heavy lifting for home improvement projects right now, you can definitely call in favors. Get other people to help you or hire workers to do any home improvement projects you want done. In 2018 alone, $394 billion went towards home improvement projects, and it’s clear why. We love making our homes the best they can be.

Nesting is your instincts getting you ready for your baby’s arrival. It can be a great last push to prepare your home for your baby’s arrival. Make sure that you’re being smart about what you can do and listening to your body to make sure that you’re staying safe in the final stages of your pregnancy.

The post What expecting mothers need to know to cope with nesting appeared first on Parenting Boss.

Do fertility supplements really work?

A quick Google search suggests many prospective mothers have the same question—typing in ‘fertility supplements’ returns almost 9 million google hits in under half a second. One website sings the praises of a certain herb where dozens of women swear it cured their infertility, while the next site declares there aren’t any studies or a smidge of scientific evidence that suggests that same herb is worth your precious time or money. What’s a woman, or couple, to do with all of this contradictory information?

I am often asked if over-the-counter fertility supplements can actually boost a patient’s chances of conception, or if they are simply smoke and mirrors. What I tell my patients is that, yes, supplements are worth your time, because what fertility supplements actually do is provide you with necessary nutrients that are lacking in today’s culture of processed and fast foods.

What supplements should I take to increase my fertility?

Of course you’ll want to check in with your provider before adding any supplements or vitamins to your diet, especially if you’re trying to conceive. They may be dangerous if you take other medications, or have certain conditions. If you get the green light, here’s what to look for when choosing a fertility supplement and prenatal vitamin:

1. Folic acide + folate

This should have a minimum of 800 mcg of folate, or folic acid. Folic acid helps to prevent spinal tube defects, and it works best when you start taking it before you get pregnant.

2. CoQ10

This supplement can help your body repair from free radical damage caused by our environment and gives mitochondria, the powerhouse of our cells, a rejuvenating boost (potential anti-aging supplement, anyone?)

3. Inositol

A wonderful supplement for cycle regulation and mood stability, Inositol is particularly beneficial for women with Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS.

4. Vitamin D

I recommend getting your levels tested, as most of us do not get anywhere near enough sunshine to fill our body’s Vitamin D quota. Although the reasons are still being evaluated, healthy levels of Vitamin D have been linked to improved outcomes in pregnancy.

5. A good probiotic

This should be on everyone’s list, trying to conceive or otherwise! Many illnesses start in the gut, and an influx of healthy gut flora helps prevent those. This is especially important if you are taking antibiotics or have had gut issues in the past. When we take proper care of our digestive system, the whole body thanks us—and this includes the reproductive organs.

6. Fish Oil

Fish oil provides omega-3s, which are a wonderful anti-inflammatory supplement that is also good for baby’s brain and eye development. Unless you are eating high quality, low-mercury fish several times a week, you are likely not getting enough omega-3s for ideal preconception.

7. Magnesium

While not necessary for conception, I recommend considering this supplement if stress is a factor for you. For most people, magnesium helps decrease stress and improve sleep (you can take it right before bed for maximum benefit).

What it the best fertility supplement?

When choosing supplements, be sure to do your brand research. The companies that you want to put your trust in will be reputable and focused on research, quality control and superior ingredient sourcing so make sure you ask your healthcare provider if questions arise. They can help you identify natural versus synthetic ingredients. For example, in prenatal vitamins, folate is naturally occurring while folic acid is a synthetic compound—this means thats the body processes folate better than folic acid. There are subtle but important differences in many supplements, even if the labels have the same claim.

There are a few things to watch out for. Be aware of fillers used by larger companies, such as artificial coloring, GMOs and even hydrogenated oils. Be mindful of all-in-one claims as well, as a supplement that has everything you need in one pill will ultimately end up sacrificing something. As far as I know, there is not a magic pill that contains all of the nutrients needed for fertility.

What is the best male fertility supplement?

Supplements aren’t just for women, either. L-Carnitine and L-Arginine have both been shown to increase both sperm count and motility, and zinc boosts testosterone levels in studies.

Other ways to boost fertility

Beyond fertility supplements, I recommend making sure the basics are taken care of. This is just as important when trying to conceive. For example, focus on making sure you are properly hydrated, getting all of the nutrients you need, and sleeping for at least seven hours each night.

Set aside time in your day to do something you love that gives you a sense of peace, like exercising or meditation. These stress-releasing techniques will help you get into alignment, physically and mentally, with the energy needed to create life.

Once pregnant, make sure you see your trusted health care provider to determine exactly what your unique body needs for a healthy pregnancy and joyful baby. Happy conceiving!

Check out some of the high quality, research-backed supplements in the Motherly Shop!

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Below, find editor-approved beauty products for your cleansing, moisturizing, and wrinkle-reducing needs:

Conz Preti, Content Director

Diana Spalding, Health + Wellness Director

Sara Goldstein, Commerce Editor

Jamie Orsini, Assistant News Editor

Deena Campbell, Senior Lifestyle Editor

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