‘Work out’ your chances of getting pregnant faster!

If you’ve stopped at malls to ‘awwww’ over babies or paid more attention to frisky toddlers at restaurants than your partner, it’s probably time you worked toward getting your own. But before the old wives convince you into trying the fertility blended teas, the Feng Shuists decide you need to rearrange your furniture and get new plants and the gymnasts tell you to stand on your head after sex, it might not hurt to try stretching your limbs and strengthening your muscles with a few old-fashioned exercises.

There is an elementary logic at work in this method – Stress deters your ability to conceive. In today’s fast-paced world filled with deadlines, flight food, smoking and sleep-deprivation, stress is an accepted part of the average working woman’s life… even if there are no bags under the eyes to show for it. Exercising not only strengthens the muscles, but boosts endorphin levels, which are known to counter stress… thereby, preparing the body for conception.

Exercise and fertility : some examples

Yoga

While doing yoga does not guarantee pregnancy, it is considered one of the best antidotes to stress. Several clinical studies have indicated that stress can greatly affect a woman’s ability to conceive. When you’re under stress, the body produces stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine, while slowing down the production of sex hormones. Chronic stress can even affect the ovulation cycle, thereby deterring pregnancy.

Yoga works wonders in such a case, as it is considered one of the most effective overall anti-stress programs. Not only does it prepare the body, it also relaxes the mind. What’s more, it does not come with the side-effects of rigorous exercise regimes, such as affecting the menstrual and ovulation cycle and is therefore considered safe and most conducive for anyone hoping to get pregnant. 

Moderate Exercise

Regular, rigorous aerobic activity is known to affect fertility and reduce the chances of conception.  However, a high BMI index would also deter your ability to conceive. So if you’re used to exercising regularly, the trick is in striking the right balance. Ensure your heart rate does not accelerate to anything beyond 110 beats per minute and you should be fine.

Sex

In all the talk about conceiving and finding the right exercise, don’t forget that sex is one of the best and most enjoyable work outs you’ll ever get. Many couples interested in conceiving, end up looking at the functional aspect of sex and forget to have fun. In actuality, enjoying sex not only reduces stress levels hugely, but also increases your chances at getting pregnant. 

Pelvic Floor Exercises

While pelvic floor exercises don’t directly aid pregnancy, if you’re interested in becoming pregnant, it would be wise to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. Not only does it increase sensitivity during sex and bring about stronger orgasms, it also prevents urinary incontinence after child birth.

So, leave that over-promising herbal tea alone with grandma and enrol yourself at the nearest yoga class. Happy trying and happy pregnancy!