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Ready for Fatherhood?
There is more
to making a baby than making love. All you expectant fathers should no
longer think that pregnancy is just the job of the mother. Now you have
to also do some work.
To start with,
old time beliefs about wondrous powers of so-called fertility foods are
pure fiction. But, that does not rule out the importance of a healthy lifestyle
and good food habits. Good nutrition can greatly improve your chances of
a quick transition from a husband to an expectant father.
Once you decide
to have a baby, you both should choose a variety of low-fat, nutrient-rich
foods from all types of food groups. Eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
lean meats and dairy products each day will help ensure that you get the
recommended dietary allowance of all the vitamins and minerals necessary
for optimal reproductive functioning. Read on for some specific guidelines
for potential `future fathers'.
Food facts
-
Infertility is
as much a man's issue as a woman's. Over 40 percent of infertility
problems can be traced to men. Therefore, eating healthy will boost your
chances of conceiving a child. Nutrition has a direct impact on the potency
of the sperm. All you wannabe-dads, junk the junk for a while and take
to healthy eating mantra seriously.
-
Eat plenty of
foods rich in vitamin C, which cuts the risk of damaged sperms. Get more
zinc in your diet. Zinc deficiencies can reduce semen volume and testosterone
levels. Zinc sources include baked beans, chicken meat. Excessive amounts
of zinc would not turn you into a baby making machine, There is, however,
some scientific basis for the oyster recommendation as these are packed
with the zinc nutrient.
-
Increase your
intake of calcium and vitamin D. These improve men's fertility. Good sources
of calcium include low-fat milk and yoghurt. You'll find vitamin D in milk
and salmon.
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Cut out or cut
back on alcohol. While an occasional drink is generally considered safe,
studies show that daily consumption of wine, beer or hard liquor can decrease
testosterone levels and sperm counts.
-
A father's use
of drugs can also cause birth defects, so drugs such as marijuana and cocaine
are a total no-no. They can affect the brain chemistry responsible for
releasing reproductive hormones.
Mend your lifestyle
-
Quit smoking
- Smoking lowers sperm counts so it is advisable to stop smoking before
attempting a pregnancy. It will optimise your chances of conceiving. Besides
second-hand smoke can be dangerous for your partner and the baby.
-
Dump stress
-Even minimal stress can decrease a man's testosterone levels and sperm
count. Chilling out can increase your potency. So 'go for a holiday' advise
actually works. Practice yoga, Reiki, meditation… anything you agree with
to keep one up on the modern day malady - stress. It'll improve the quality
of your life.
-
Workplace hazards
- Exposure to radiation and chemicals can damage sperms. It'll also
lower sperm counts and cause genetic defects in children. If you're exposed
to any such hazards on the job, ask for a temporary reassignment.
-
Avoid
certain medication- Many medications can cause fertility problems and
lower sperm counts. Ask your physician about the safety of any over-the-counter
medications that you are consuming while attempting a pregnancy.
-
Avoid rough
sports such as football, hockey, soccer, basketball, baseball, horseback
riding - The danger is traumatic injury to genitals, which can hamper
your ability to produce sperms or ejaculate.
-
No to hot tubs,
saunas, and tight-fitting clothes - Testicles function best when they
keep their cool. Steamy spa equipment, snug jeans, synthetic shorts and
bikini underwear can all overheat your testicles and inhibit sperm production.
-
Medical screenings-
There are various screening tests that can be done prior to pregnancy so
that if a medical problem is found, treatment can be completed (infections,
sexually transmitted diseases) or the medical condition can be managed.
Do go for these.
-
Genetic screenings
- A pre-conception visit to your physician can include discussion of
possible inherited birth defects. Information about the medical histories
of both families should be discussed. Blood tests can be done to identify
carriers of certain genetic disorders. That will offer reassurance that
your future baby will not be at risk for that disorder.
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Read pregnancy
- related books- Do take your role seriously and look up some books
too, they'll give you quite a few pointers. For instance, `The expectant
father, facts, tips and advice for dads to be', by Armin Brott
The new fathers panic book: Everything a dad needs to know to welcome his
bundle of joy, by Gene B. Williams
She's having a baby and I am having a breakdown, by James Douglas Barron
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