When undergoing a pregnancy planning program, there are several things to pay attention to, such as maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding overly strenuous exercise, quitting smoking, and refraining from alcohol consumption.
For some couples, no special preparation is needed to conceive. However, for couples facing difficulties in achieving pregnancy, it is necessary to take certain precautions, including avoiding activities that may reduce the chances of conception.
Every couple’s success in having a child varies. It’s wise to avoid the following activities to maximize the effectiveness of the pregnancy program you are undergoing.
Activities to Avoid During Pregnancy Planning
When planning for pregnancy, several factors need to be considered, including daily activities. Essentially, there are no strict prohibitions on activities, but these considerations can be important during pregnancy planning.
1. Heavy Exercise
Regular exercise is good for health and can even help improve pregnancy planning. Additionally, exercise increases fertility, which is important when planning to conceive. Women who exercise regularly are believed to have higher chances of conceiving compared to those who rarely exercise.
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However, it is advisable to avoid heavy exercise that may cause stress. Exercising for more than 60 minutes a day can increase the risk of anovulation or failure to ovulate. Heavy exercises to avoid include weight lifting.
2. Cycling
Cycling is a physical activity that fathers-to-be should avoid during pregnancy planning. While there is no outright ban on cycling, doing it for prolonged periods can negatively affect fertility.
According to Dr. Tiara Kirana, Sp.And, a specialist in andrology at Bocah Indonesia, research shows that men who cycle regularly experience decreased sperm quality.
Cycling for more than 30 minutes over long distances can cause increased intratesticular pressure or high pressure on the testicles, raising their temperature. This condition can disrupt sperm production.
3. Smoking
Another activity to avoid is smoking. Many men smoke to pass the time, but this habit can adversely affect fertility. Therefore, if the father-to-be has a smoking habit, it is best to quit to support the pregnancy program.
4. Using Plastic Bottles Containing BPA
An often overlooked daily activity is using plastic bottles that contain bisphenol A (BPA). Studies indicate that BPA can affect fertility in both women and men.
Therefore, it is recommended to use BPA-free plastic bottles and choose containers made of stainless steel or glass.
Besides avoiding the activities above, couples should also increase their chances of conception by doing the following:
Maintain a diet rich in antioxidants
Drink plenty of water
Avoid alcohol and limit caffeine intake
Get enough rest, ideally 6–9 hours daily
Manage stress well
Avoid consuming any medications or traditional remedies without a doctor’s prescription
These are some activities that couples should avoid to improve the chances of pregnancy. It is also advisable to consult a doctor before starting the pregnancy planning program.
