truths and myths about preconception

Have you ever heard that drinking cough syrup before ovulation can make you more fertile? Or that eating non-organic bananas can make your man sterile? (Both are myths about getting pregnant). Even before many of us begin to think about having a baby, we are overwhelmed with ideas about conception and pregnancy. The media and well-meaning friends and family are full of suggestions and tips.

The information throughout the thinking about getting pregnant section will help you separate the myths from the facts. But if you’re not sure where to start, these truths and myths about getting pregnant can help lead your way.

1. If I get enough folic acid from my diet, I don’t need to take a supplement.

Myth. We’re starting off with a tricky question! Of all the vitamins and minerals, folic acid is the only supplement that all women must take before conception. Low levels of folate increase the risk of neural tube defects in your baby – birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. Although folate can be found in many foods, such as beans and green leafy vegetables, it’s hard to get enough folate from food alone. So all women are advised to take 400 mcg per day at least 1 month prior to conception.
Learn more about a healthy preconception diet for women.

2. A check-up is recommended even before I start trying to conceive.

Truth. It’s a good idea to schedule a preconception visit with your healthcare provider at least three months before you try getting pregnant. Letting your doctor know you intend to get pregnant allows him or her to address any health issues that should be resolved prior to conception. And you might be surprised at how much there is to talk about. Is it safe to go scuba diving on your upcoming vacation? Can you take over-the-counter medication for your cold? Do I need to update my vaccinations prior to pregnancy? Your doctor is a valuable source of information during the preconception period – take advantage!
Learn more about the preconception check-up.

3. All women ovulate, and are most fertile, on day 14 of their menstrual cycle.

Myth. Mother nature tends to favor variation, and the ovulation cycle is no exception. Ovulation depends on the length of a woman's cycle, and this varies from woman to woman. Cycles can even vary for one woman month to month. So unless you have a perfect 28-day cycle (which is unlikely), the time it takes from the first day of a period to ovulation does not necessarily occur 14 days after menstruation begins.
Learn how to listen to your body, including how you can use your fertile signs to pinpoint the precise time ovulation occurs.

4. Not just women but men should stop drinking alcohol while trying to conceive.

Truth. Alcohol can reduce fertility in women and damage the genetic make-up in their eggs. Similarly, sperm production and development are impeded by alcohol in men. Eggs are susceptible to damage during their period of maturation, which is approximately 100 days before ovulation. Sperm may take up to 116 days to fully mature. So, both women and men are advised to stop drinking at least 4 months before trying to conceive to ensure their potentially fertilized egg and sperm have a “clean bill of health”.
Learn more about preconception lifestyle in women and preconception lifestyle in men.

5. It’s a good idea for prospective dads to take an iron supplement while trying to conceive.

Myth. Although some men may wish to take a multivitamin supplement to round out their diets, too much iron can actually make it harder to conceive. An excess of iron can, in fact, harm sperm. Because men easily meet iron needs through their diet, it’s important to choose a supplement low in iron.
Learn more about a healthy preconception diet in men.

6. I never used hormonal birth control, so getting pregnant should be a cinch.

Myth. Just because you’ve never used hormonal birth control, like the pill, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re at an advantage. Although women who need to go off the pill may have to wait longer for their cycle to regulate before conceiving, they aren’t any more or less fertile. Your fertility can be influenced by many factors such as medical conditions, nutrition and weight, and can also be problematic for no apparent reason at all.
Learn more about how to safely stop your birth control.

7. A woman isn’t considered infertile until she’s unsuccessfully tried to conceive for 12 months, but a visit to your healthcare provider can be helpful even after 6 months of trying.

Truth. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why a healthy, young woman might not get pregnant without some help. Some of these might be out of her control, some may require medical treatment and others may be eliminated with help from a healthcare professional. It’s not worth wasting time and you don’t want to get frustrated. After a good six months of solid trying, there’s no harm checking in with your healthcare provider for further support. And if you’re 35 years or older, you’re actually considered infertile after six months of trying.
Learn more about where to look for support.

8. My partner should avoid hot tubs when we’re trying to get pregnant.

Truth. Sperm are very susceptible to heat. That’s why the testes – where sperm are produced – keep cool by hanging outside a man’s body. So hot tubs, as well as saunas, hot baths and wetsuits can all potentially damage a man’s sperm and, in effect, reduce your chances of getting pregnant.
Learn more about safe and unsafe activities for men.

9. Being overweight, or being underweight, can reduce my chances of conceiving.

Truth. Women who start trying to conceive at a healthy weight have the best chances of conceiving and having a healthy baby. Body mass index, or BMI, is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height that provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people. Women with a BMI above (overweight) or below (underweight) the normal range have a higher risk of problems with conception, pregnancy and the long-term health of their baby. Hence, it’s advised to achieve your healthy body weight before you start trying to conceive.
Learn more about the importance of preconception exercise and weight in women.

10. Being fit and healthy in later years offsets the decline in fertility that happens as women age.

Myth. More and more women are opting to have children in their mid- to late 30s and early 40s. Getting pregnant in your later years has many advantages and is now both socially acceptable and safe. But it does come with its unique set of issues, including the natural decline in fertility that occurs as women (and men) age. If you’ve maintained a healthy lifestyle over the years, you greatly improve your odds of getting pregnant. But the inevitable age-related changes in fertility cannot be offset entirely by improved health in later years.
Learn more about getting pregnant in later years.