3 Tips to Reduce Stress if You’re TTC

When you’re actively trying to conceive (TTC), things can get a little stressful. Seeing that disappointing “negative”, month after month can really take a toll on your spirit. It may be hard to maintain that positive outlook when you feel like you’re just not getting anywhere. What’s worse is when people keep telling you to “just relax, it’ll happen”. Of course we know that relaxing is easier said than done. However, these people may be on to something.

According to The Baby Corner, stress can impact conception by inhibiting the body’s primary sex hormone, gonadotropin. “Stress also boosts a hormone inhibitor called gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone or GnIH” and a study from Oxford University in 2010 found that women with the highest levels of alpha-amylase, which indicates a person’s adrenaline levels, had significantly lower chances of becoming pregnant. So, as difficult as it may sound, if you’re TTC, you should try some of these stress-reducing techniques.

3 Ways to Reduce Stress

1. Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can mean a variety of things. Here’s where to start:

Eat Healthily. Eating healthily means cutting out alcohol, lowering caffeine intake, and avoiding foods that may contain artificial sweeteners, which “can affect blood sugar levels – a factor that influences hormonal balance” (Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com). Instead, start eating more fruits and veggies and whole grains.
Exercise Regularly. Regular exercise will help you to maintain a healthy body weight and will produce endorphins, those feel-good hormones, in the brain.
Think Positively. Feeling better about your health in general is a great start to removing unnecessary stresses in your life. Focus on the good and brush off the bad!

2. Massage Therapy

Some women find massages extremely relaxing. In “research published in the International Journal of Neuroscience in 2004, doctors found that massage therapy worked to decrease the body’s physical signals of stress, including heart rate and brain waves” (WebMD). While this may not work for all women, a relaxing day at the spa that touts health and TTC benefits might be worth a try. At the very least, try asking your man for a bedtime massage; just tell him it’s for the TTC cause!

3. Essential Oils

Some people swear by the therapeutic benefits of essential oils, but that’s up to you to decide. The wonderful thing about essential oils is that there are many different ways to enjoy them. Once you find a scent that you like, you can put a few drops on your wrist, your pillow, the bathtub, or get an electric aromatherapy diffuser and fill your home with relaxing aromas (What to Expect). Two great relaxing scents to try are lavender and chamomile.

We understand that it may be hard to relax, but it can’t hurt to try! When you’re trying to conceive, remember these helpful stress-reducing tips. And for extra help on your TTC journey, try Pre-Seed™ Fertility Friendly Lubricant. Pre-Seed is sperm friendly and recommended by fertility experts.

PREGNANCY

Can You Get Pregnant from Precum? What You Need to Know

When it comes to sex and conception, there’s a lot of curiosity (and misinformation) about precum. Can it lead to pregnancy? Does it contain sperm? And what about the pull-out method? How effective is it, really? Whether you’re trying to prevent pregnancy or hoping to conceive, understanding how precum works can help you make informed choices. What is Precum? Precum, or pre-ejaculate fluid, is a clear, mucus-like liquid released from the penis during sexual arousal. It’s produced by small glands—including the Cowper’s glands—and helps lubricate the urethra. The amount varies from a few drops to several milliliters, and its release

DECIDING IF YOU’RE READY

Am I Ready to Get Pregnant? How to Decide.

Deciding to begin trying to conceive is one of the biggest and most exciting choices you’ll ever make. That’s why you should give it plenty of thought before you begin. From the practical to the emotional, you have quite a lot to consider when making your decision. You may want to start by asking yourself a few questions about your practical and financial situation: Do you have health insurance that will cover the majority of the pregnancy and post-partum visits? Does your employer offer maternity benefits, and if so, will those benefits cover your needs after the baby is born?

TRYING TO CONCEIVE

Semaglutide & Pregnancy: What to Know About Weight Loss While Pregnant or Trying to Conceive

If you’re taking a semaglutide medication like Ozempic® or Wegovy® and thinking about starting a family (or just got that surprise positive test!), you’re not alone. As more people use GLP-1 medications like Ozempic® and Rybelsus®, questions around fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum planning are becoming more common. While these medications may not influence fertility directly, the lifestyle changes they support, like weight loss or improved insulin sensitivity, may play a role in reproductive health. Whether pregnancy is on your mind now or further down the road, it’s worth understanding how these medications may fit into your plans. What is Ozempic®?

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