6 Everyday Products to Stay Away From When Trying to Conceive

Planning for a baby is harder than it seems. There are sharp corners to consider, electrical outlets that need to be covered, and all manner of objects that need to be removed from grabbing distance of the rascally crawler. You need to pick out the furniture, pick out the child’s wardrobe, and decide on the decor for the baby’s room There’s a lot to do to get ready!

Conceiving a baby can be even harder. Usually, it takes more than a single attempt to become pregnant; anywhere from six months to a year is the average amount of time a couple actively tries to get pregnant. The expectation of being able to produce a child quickly can put a lot of stress on both partners, though, and can actually extend that timeframe.

If they are having difficulty, then ovulation periods will need to be mapped out to determine the most opportune day and time of day is best to conceive a child. They may even have to consult with a fertility specialist to determine if there is anything wrong with either potential parent — low sperm counts could be affecting the father while the mother may have an undiagnosed case of PCOS, both of which can hinder the reproductive process.

If a condition is discovered to be the cause for a couple’s inability to conceive, they can consider in vitro fertilization. Eight million babies have been born through this procedure worldwide since the method was developed, and it can help couples struggling with infertility have the baby they want.

No matter the method of conception — whether it be natural, in vitro, or another means of artificial insemination — all require the mother (and the father in many cases) to prepare for the baby in ways other than rearranging the house. Lifestyle changes must be made, and that includes the products you use on a daily basis. We don’t like to think that we may need to give up a commodity period, but if you are trying to have a baby you really should consider removing these from your household.

Perfume

An essential for women! No woman wants to go to around town smelling unsexy. Unfortunately, the chemicals used to create the scents we love so much can have an effect on the chemicals in our own bodies. The levels of various hormones, including estrogen and testosterone, can be altered by the body’s absorption of the fragrances and cause you to become infertile. Not only that, but the chemicals in perfumes can build up inside the breasts where they can transfer into the breast milk you produce. This can pass these chemicals on to your baby which can affect the growing child more than it will you.

Electronics

Our world runs on electronics. TVs, computers, smartphones, smartwatches, security cameras; they are everywhere. And some of these may be causing your struggle to become pregnant. Here are a couple of the top concerns when it comes to the electronics we handle every day. Men: this one is for you!

Cell Phones

Since they were first introduced on the market in the early 1990s — when they were giant rectangular boxes you had to hold with both hands — there have been concerns about the damage they could be doing to the body. While there is no concrete evidence supporting the theory that cell phone radiation causes cancer or other conditions, it has been discovered that close proximity to the groin area can weaken, reduce, or otherwise damage sperm. If they can’t swim, they’re not going to carry out their function. Keep your cell phone out of your front pocket.

Laptops

For much the same reason as cell phones, laptops lying across your thighs can be crippling your sperm cells. Not only that, but the heat generated from a laptop in your lap can lead to reduced sperm production or cause them to be abnormal. This will restrict your ability to get your wife pregnant.

Hair Dye

Ladies: back to you. Be careful when dying your hair while trying to get pregnant. The chemicals and pigments used to produce the color you (or your partner) prefer can also be toxic to a developing fetus. Read the packages carefully and look for hair dyes that are vegetable-based. These are safer than chemically-produced dyes because less of it is absorbed through the skin and they are nature-based.

Canned Foods

When we aren’t eating out at a restaurant, we are eating food prepackaged for us. Very few urbanites are growing their own sustenance. But there is one type of prepackaged food we need to stay away from — canned foods. Not widely known, canned foods can contain chemicals detrimental to your desire to have a child. Some of these include:

Sweets

Taking away a girl’s chocolate is almost as bad as taking away her perfume! Yet, they too must go. If you are trying to get pregnant, you do not want to have that added sugar enter your body. Especially if you are already overweight, adding more to the mix can cause you to gain weight. Being overweight or suddenly packing on additional weight can be stressful on your body and affect your reproductive organs. Cut back on these delights so that you can be delighted with a child.

Obesity

More than being overweight, obesity is one of the main reasons people are unable to conceive a child. This affects both women and men, and in different ways. For a man, an unhealthy weight can reduce the production of sperm as the body is spending a lot of extra energy to support the additional weight. In women, obesity interrupts the menstrual cycle, making it difficult to determine the best time to get pregnant. If you are serious about having a child, and you or your spouse are obese, then you need to get serious about managing your eating habits and getting rid of that extra weight.