Body weight and fertility
Being a healthy body weight is important before pregnancy. If you're underweight, it can be more difficult to conceive and if you're overweight, you run a greater risk of complications such as high blood pressure and diabetes during pregnancy.
The ideal range is usually calculated using the body mass index (BMI) of 20 to 25. Take steps either to try to lose or gain weight where necessary, in a sensible way - crash dieting will not be good for your overall health.
Even a small weight loss can greatly increase your ability to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy. If you're concerned about your weight, you may find it useful to speak to your doctor or practice nurse for further advice.
Taking folic acid before and in the very early stages of pregnancy can reduce the risk of your baby suffering from neural tube defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida. Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant should take a supplement that provides 400mcg folic acid per day. This is in addition to a dietary intake of folic acid of about 200mcg per day.
Once pregnant, women should continue taking a 400mcg supplement for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Rich dietary sources include fortified breakfast cereals, bread, green leafy vegetables (such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach and green beans), oranges, dried beans, peas and lentils. Some supermarkets and food manufacturers identify good sources of folic acid with a special label. Look out for these next time you go shopping.
Women who've already had an NTD-affected pregnancy should take a supplement that provides 5mg a day. See your doctor for more information.
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Boost your fertility
Having difficulty getting pregnant? There are some simple ways to help nature along.
Eat well: if you're a woman, a nutritious, balanced diet will help improve your general health and wellbeing, and ensure your body is able to nourish a baby. If you're a man, healthy eating is also important for sperm production.
Choose a varied diet containing fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, potatoes, rice and other cereals (wholegrain, where possible), milk and dairy products, lean meat, fish and other sources of protein.
Watch your weight: being overweight or very underweight can disrupt your periods and hinder conception. A woman with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 29 or less than 19 may find it more difficult to conceive.
To work out your BMI, divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared (your height in metres multiplied by itself).
Drink wisely: the government advises women trying to conceive to avoid alcohol completely. Men shouldn't drink more than three or four units a day.
Be active: regular moderate exercise (such as brisk walking) for at least 30 minutes a day will help to keep you fit for conception and help to control your weig.
Think about your job: occupations that involve sitting for long periods, such as long-distance lorry driving, or exposure to environmental chemicals such as paints or pesticides, may affect sperm quality.
Manage stress: stress doesn't cause infertility, but excessive anxiety can sometimes upset the menstrual cycle. Try to reduce stress levels and give yourself time to relax.
Take folic acid
Check drugs: certain prescription drugs can reduce the chance of conception. If you're taking regular medication, talk to your doctor.
things you can't change
Not all factors affecting fertility are within your control.
For women, the following may affect conception:
Ovulation problems: sometimes, women don't ovulate (release an egg each month) or do so only occasionally.
Reasons include:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in which numerous small cysts develop on the ovaries and ovulation is erratic.
- The side effects of some medications, such as anti-inflammatory painkillers, chemotherapy and radiation treatment (for example, for cancer).
- Premature ovarian failure (early menopause).
Blocked fallopian tubes: below are the most common causes of inflamed and blocked tubes.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and (more rarely) gonorrhoea.
- Endometriosis, in which cells from the lining of the womb implant elsewhere, such as the ovaries.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease, which can be caused by chlamydia and other STIs.
- Previous pelvic surgery - for example, for appendicitis or peritonitis.
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>>>Ovulation Midstream Tests
 Ovulation Midstream Tests - sensitive to 25mIU/ml/lh, over 99% accurate in anticipating ovulation, offer maximum-allowable 2-year expiration dates.
Luteinizing hormone in elevated quantities causes ovulation. During the menstrual cycle only a small amount of LH is made, but in the middle of the cycle LH briefly increases. This increase is called the "LH surge" and precedes ovulation. Conception is most likely to occur within thirty-six hours following the LH surge. The Midstream Urine LH Ovulation Test is specifically designed to detect your LH surge - the time when you are likely to ovulate.
DETERMINE WHEN TO START TESTING
To determine when to start testing, you must first determine the length of your menstrual cycle. The length of the menstrual cycle is the number of days from the first day of menstrual bleeding to the day before bleeding begins on the next period.
Determine the usual length of the menstrual cycle over the last few months. Then, refer to the Cycle Chart shown to determine on which day of the menstrual cycle to begin testing. If your cycle is less than twenty-one days or greater than forty days, consult a physician.
Cycle Chart
Your Cycle Length
|
Day to Begin Testing |
| 21 days |
Day 5 |
| 22 days |
Day 6 |
| 23 days |
Day 7 |
| 24 days |
Day 8 |
| 25 days |
Day 9 |
| 26 days |
Day 10 |
| 27 days |
Day 11 |
| 28 days |
Day 12 |
| 29 days |
Day 13 |
| 30 days |
Day 14 |
| 31 days |
Day 15 |
| 32 days |
Day 16 |
| 33 days |
Day 17 |
| 34 days |
Day 18 |
| 35 days |
Day 19 |
| 36 days |
Day 20 |
| 37 days |
Day 21 |
| 38 days |
Day 22 |
| 39 days |
Day 23 |
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TEST PROCEDURE
Do not use first morning samples as LH is synthesized in your body early in the morning. It will not show up in urine until later in the day. The best time to test urine is between 11am and 8pm. Be sure to test at the same time each day. Also, reduce your liquid intake (and try not to urinate) around 2 to 3 hours before testing as a diluted liquid sample can hinder LH detection.
1. To begin testing, open the sealed pouch by tearing along the notch. Remove test kit from the pouch.
2. Hold the round end of cover with one hand. Use the other hand to pull out the test device and expose the absorbent tip.
3. Point the absorbent tip downward. Place the absorbent tip in urine stream for at least seven to ten (10) seconds to be thoroughly wet. NOTE: Do not allow urine to splash into the result window. To prevent urine from splashing the result window, during application, place your thumb over the interpretation window while holding the test in the urine stream.
4. Re-cap the device, lay flat on a table, and wait for color bands to appear. Depending on the concentration of LH, a positive result may be observed in as few as 40 seconds; however, to confirm negative results, the complete reaction time (10 minutes) is required. It is important the background of the result window is clear before the result is read.
INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
 Lh Mid-Stream Test
Negative - No LH Surge: Only one color band appears on the control (C) region or the test (T) band is much lighter than the control band. There is no LH surge.
Postive - LH Surge: If two color bands are visible and the test (T) band is equal to or darker than the control (C) band, ovulate will probably take place within the next 24-48 hours.
Invalid: No visible band at all. The control band will not appear if an insufficient volume of specimen is added into the test kit. Proper procedures may not have been followed in performing the test. Repeat with a new test kit. Please consult above instructions and follow precisely. * The most common reason for an invalid test result with a midstream test is that urine has splashed into the interpretation window. This prevents liquid from properly “wicking” up the test and through the band of dye. Please note that invalid results can nearly always be avoided by placing your thumb over the interpretation window while holding the test in the urine stream.
| No LH Surge |
No LH Surge |
LH Surge |
LH Surge |
Invalid |
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