Are you ready for Fatherhood?

There is moreto making a baby than making love. All you expectant fathers should nolonger think that pregnancy is just the job of the mother. Now you haveto also do some work.To start with,old time beliefs about wondrous powers of so-called fertility foods arepure fiction. But, that does not rule out the importance of a healthy lifestyleand good food habits. Good nutrition can greatly improve your chances ofa quick transition from a husband to an expectant father.Once you decideto have a baby, you both should choose a variety of low-fat, nutrient-richfoods from all types of food groups. Eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains,lean meats and dairy products each day will help ensure that you get therecommended dietary allowance of all the vitamins and minerals necessaryfor optimal reproductive functioning. Read on for some specific guidelinesfor potential future fathers. In this articleFood factsQuit smokingDump stressWorkplace hazardsAvoid certain medicationAvoid roughsports such as football, hockey, soccer, basketball, baseball, horsebackriding No to hot tubs,saunas, and tight-fitting clothes Medical screeningsGenetic screeningsRead pregnancy- related books Food factsInfertility isas much a mans issue as a womans. Over 40 percent of infertilityproblems can be traced to men. Therefore, eating healthy will boost yourchances of conceiving a child. Nutrition has a direct impact on the potencyof the sperm. All you wannabe-dads, junk the junk for a while and taketo healthy eating mantra seriously.Eat plenty offoods rich in vitamin C, which cuts the risk of damaged sperms. Get morezinc in your diet. Zinc deficiencies can reduce semen volume and testosteronelevels. Zinc sources include baked beans, chicken meat. Excessive amountsof zinc would not turn you into a baby making machine, There is, however,some scientific basis for the oyster recommendation as these are packedwith the zinc nutrient. Increase yourintake of calcium and vitamin D. These improve mens fertility. Good sourcesof calcium include low-fat milk and yoghurt. Youll find vitamin D in milkand salmon. Cut out or cutback on alcohol. While an occasional drink is generally considered safe,studies show that daily consumption of wine, beer or hard liquor can decreasetestosterone levels and sperm counts. A fathers useof drugs can also cause birth defects, so drugs such as marijuana and cocaineare a total no-no. They can affect the brain chemistry responsible forreleasing reproductive hormones.Mend your lifestyleQuit smoking- Smoking lowers sperm counts so it is advisable to stop smoking beforeattempting a pregnancy. It will optimise your chances of conceiving. Besidessecond-hand smoke can be dangerous for your partner and the baby.Dump stress-Even minimal stress can decrease a mans testosterone levels and spermcount. Chilling out can increase your potency. So go for a holiday adviseactually works. Practice yoga, Reiki, meditation… anything you agree withto keep one up on the modern day malady - stress. Itll improve the qualityof your life. Workplace hazards- Exposure to radiation and chemicals can damage sperms. Itll alsolower sperm counts and cause genetic defects in children. If youre exposedto any such hazards on the job, ask for a temporary reassignment.Avoid certain medication- Many medications can cause fertility problems andlower sperm counts. Ask your physician about the safety of any over-the-countermedications that you are consuming while attempting a pregnancy. Avoid roughsports such as football, hockey, soccer, basketball, baseball, horsebackriding - The danger is traumatic injury to genitals, which can hamperyour ability to produce sperms or ejaculate. No to hot tubs,saunas, and tight-fitting clothes - Testicles function best when theykeep their cool. Steamy spa equipment, snug jeans, synthetic shorts andbikini underwear can all overheat your testicles and inhibit sperm production.Medical screenings-There are various screening tests that can be done prior to pregnancy sothat 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 ofpossible inherited birth defects. Information about the medical historiesof both families should be discussed. Blood tests can be done to identifycarriers of certain genetic disorders. That will offer reassurance thatyour future baby will not be at risk for that disorder. Read pregnancy- related books- Do take your role seriously and look up some bookstoo, theyll give you quite a few pointers. For instance, `The expectantfather, facts, tips and advice for dads to be, by Armin BrottThe new fathers panic book: Everything a dad needs to know to welcome hisbundle of joy, by Gene B. WilliamsShes having a baby and I am having a breakdown, by James Douglas Barron

There is moreto making a baby than making love. All you expectant fathers should nolonger think that pregnancy is just the job of the mother. Now you haveto also do some work.To start with,old time beliefs about wondrous powers of so-called fertility foods arepure fiction. But, that does not rule out the importance of a healthy lifestyleand good food habits. Good nutrition can greatly improve your chances ofa quick transition from a husband to an expectant father.Once you decideto have a baby, you both should choose a variety of low-fat, nutrient-richfoods from all types of food groups. Eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains,lean meats and dairy products each day will help ensure that you get therecommended dietary allowance of all the vitamins and minerals necessaryfor optimal reproductive functioning. Read on for some specific guidelinesfor potential 'future fathers'.

Food facts

• Infertility isas much a man's issue as a woman's. Over 40 percent of infertilityproblems can be traced to men. Therefore, eating healthy will boost yourchances of conceiving a child. Nutrition has a direct impact on the potencyof the sperm. All you wannabe-dads, junk the junk for a while and taketo healthy eating mantra seriously.
• Eat plenty offoods rich in vitamin C, which cuts the risk of damaged sperms. Get morezinc in your diet. Zinc deficiencies can reduce semen volume and testosteronelevels. Zinc sources include baked beans, chicken meat. Excessive amountsof zinc would not turn you into a baby making machine, There is, however,some scientific basis for the oyster recommendation as these are packedwith the zinc nutrient.
• Increase yourintake of calcium and vitamin D. These improve men's fertility. Good sourcesof calcium include low-fat milk and yoghurt. You'll find vitamin D in milkand salmon.
• Cut out or cutback on alcohol. While an occasional drink is generally considered safe,studies show that daily consumption of wine, beer or hard liquor can decreasetestosterone levels and sperm counts.
• A father's useof drugs can also cause birth defects, so drugs such as marijuana and cocaineare a total no-no. They can affect the brain chemistry responsible forreleasing reproductive hormones.

Mend your lifestyle

• Quit smoking-

  Smoking lowers sperm counts so it is advisable to stop smoking beforeattempting a pregnancy. It will optimise your chances of conceiving. Besidessecond-hand smoke can be dangerous for your partner and the baby.

• Dump stress-

  Even minimal stress can decrease a man's testosterone levels and spermcount. Chilling out can increase your potency. So 'go for a holiday' adviseactually works. Practice yoga, Reiki, meditation… anything you agree withto keep one up on the modern day malady - stress. It'll improve the qualityof your life.

• Workplace hazards-

  Exposure to radiation and chemicals can damage sperms. It'll alsolower sperm counts and cause genetic defects in children. If you're exposedto any such hazards on the job, ask for a temporary reassignment.

• Avoid certain medication-

  Many medications can cause fertility problems andlower sperm counts. Ask your physician about the safety of any over-the-countermedications that you are consuming while attempting a pregnancy.

• Avoid roughsports such as football, hockey, soccer, basketball, baseball, horsebackriding -

  The danger is traumatic injury to genitals, which can hamperyour ability to produce sperms or ejaculate.

• No to hot tubs,saunas, and tight-fitting clothes -

  Testicles function best when theykeep their cool. Steamy spa equipment, snug jeans, synthetic shorts andbikini underwear can all overheat your testicles and inhibit sperm production.

• Medical screenings-

  There are various screening tests that can be done prior to pregnancy sothat 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 ofpossible inherited birth defects. Information about the medical historiesof both families should be discussed. Blood tests can be done to identifycarriers of certain genetic disorders. That will offer reassurance thatyour future baby will not be at risk for that disorder.

• Read pregnancy- related books-

  Do take your role seriously and look up some bookstoo, they'll give you quite a few pointers. For instance, `The expectantfather, facts, tips and advice for dads to be', by Armin Brott
  The new fathers panic book: Everything a dad needs to know to welcome hisbundle of joy, by Gene B. Williams
  She's having a baby and I am having a breakdown, by James Douglas Barron