Journey and Tips to Pregnancy

by: Blenda Chan | April 17, 2023

My Pre-Pregnancy Experience

My experience with pre-pregnancy was to not get pregnant before I was married. For many years I was trying to avoid a unwanted pregnancy and when time came I though it would be easy. In my case, it was not. I was having fertility issues for 4-5 years before I actually got pregnant. My pervious article “IVF and Nutrition” ties into this story.

Is there something wrong with me?

Planning for a baby is an exciting time. Babies bring so much joy into our lives. I love babies and when I saw my little nieces and nephews born, I got baby fever. I was trying for so many years and it just never happened. I remember the time when all my friends around me got pregnant and I was not. A dear family member of mine told me that she never had issues and asked what was my problem. She asked if I had regular mensural cycles, why didn’t I want to have kids and told me to go get busy. I was so offended with her comments and remarks, it still sticks in my mind from time to time. My husband and I had a conversation about being just the two of us for the rest of our lives. I did come to terms with this idea but I still couldn’t accept that fact that I may never be pregnant.

Journey down a natural path

I continued to get acupuncture from my naturopathic doctor to help with getting pregnant. My husband and I eventually went to get professional help and with the help of my fertility doctor, nurse and a whole team of at the clinic I finally got pregnant. I had a baby girl in 2015. Then a few years later I knew exactly want to do to have a second child and had a baby boy in 2018.

Pre-pregnancy is a good time to detox and start eating wholesome nutrient dense foods.
Optimal nutrition is key. Getting the body ready before having a baby helps with the development of the fetus. I was on folic acid. Folic acid is a B vitamin which plays an important role in the production of red blood cells. For women that are pregnant it helps reduce the risk of birth defects. I was also on a high quality fish oil with CoQ10. Fish oil is essential for everyone’s diet because good fats in our diet are normally missing. Most people eat the wrong kinds of fats, such as processed foods, meat and dairy products. CoQ10 (a.k.a. Coenzyme Q10) was an additional supplement that was in the fish oil. CoQ10 helps to improve heart health and regulates blood sugar. I truly believed that my daughter’s health is so strong due to taking a fish oil with CoQ10. I ate whole foods and drank lots of water trying to give my baby the best nutrients needed to grow into a healthy baby. I slept a lot because growing a baby was hard work. I was exhausted at the end of my work day, but I still managed to hit the gym a few days a week for my yoga, step and weight training classes.

Having the chance to carry a baby was a gift. I treasured every moment. I am blessed and thankful to all my friends and family during this time.

Tips for pre-pregnancy:

1. Include folic acid in your diet

Folic acid is a B vitamin that is essential for the proper development of the fetus during pregnancy. Folic acid can be included into your diet with supplements or by eating: fresh fruits, dark leafy greens, beans and whole grains. Here are some of the key reasons why taking folic acid is important:

- Helps the formation of the neural tube preventing major birth defects of the baby’s brain
- Reduces the risk of other birth defects such as cleft lip and palate and certain heart defects
- Boosts fertility: Some studies suggest that taking folic acid may improve fertility, making it easier to conceive

Healthy nutritious food as source folic acid, minerals, vitamin B9 and dietary fiber

Fish oil capsules on wooden background, vitamin D supplement

2. Start taking a high quality fish oil with CoQ10

CoQ10 improves both sperm and egg quality by providing energy to boost and support baby growth. These fish oils have omega-3 fatty acids and is an essential fat which can be taken from supplements or foods like: fish, salmon and various aquatic foods. The benefits of fish oil with CoQ10 are as shown:

- Aids in brain and eye development.
- Reduces the risk of delivering babies prematurely
- Lowers chance of postpartum depression which is common after child birth
- Boosts fertility: Studies suggest that taking omega-3 fatty acids may improve fertility, making it easier to conceive

3. Eat a healthy diet full of nutrient dense foods and Avoid processed foods, meats and dairy products

Maintaining a healthy diet has always been a a staple way to make sure your body is filled up with all the nutrients and vitamins that are needed. A way to ensure this is to eat nutrient dense food and natural foods rather than processed food which are generally filled in with sugar and unnecessary ingredients that are more focused on taste than any nutrient value. Eating the those nutrient dense foods not only helps with making you healthier but also helps with bodily functions and how you feel throughout your day!