Healthy eating is a necessity for the continuation of all bodily functions. In this regard, nutrition also carries great importance for reproductive health.
Healthy eating is essential for the proper functioning of bodily functions. During pregnancy, the body makes new adjustments to support the growth and development of the developing baby and increases the need for certain things. Regulating nutrition according to these needs helps to bring a healthier baby into the world.
Is Nutrition Important Before Pregnancy?
It is known that acquiring permanent correct eating habits suddenly is impossible. Lifelong correct eating habits are established by gradually replacing bad habits with new ones. Therefore, individuals planning to conceive should adopt healthy and balanced eating habits before pregnancy.
Balanced and healthy eating should continue during pregnancy. An expectant mother who has acquired balanced eating habits continues these habits even after the baby is born, ensuring that her baby also eats healthily and grows and develops healthily.
Does Poor Nutrition Affect Pregnancy?
Inadequate and unbalanced nutrition can negatively affect the growth and development of the baby. Insufficient nutrition can cause growth retardation, premature birth, and low birth weight of baby. During pregnancy, it is necessary to consume foods known to be beneficial to the baby and avoid the intake of substances known to be harmful or potentially harmful.
Does Smoking Affect the Chance of Pregnancy?
Smoking has long-term adverse effects on ovarian function. Consequently, it carries risks such as miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight of baby. Studies have also found that women who smoke during fertility treatment have a reduced chance of pregnancy.
These studies have shown that the longer the duration of smoking, the fewer eggs and embryos are obtained. If you smoke, you should quit as soon as possible, both for your own health and to increase your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy.
Can Excess Weight Cause Infertility?
Obesity alters the effects of hormonal stimuli on the ovaries and testes. As obesity increases insulin levels in women, it leads to excessive production of male hormones that prevent ovulation from the ovaries.
Ovulation disorders called anovulation and the inability to conceive a baby due to this condition are common in obese women. Studies are showing that even losing 10% of current weight helps to improve ovulation function.
Does Excess Weight in Men Prevent Pregnancy?
Although not as pronounced as in women, it is stated that excessive weight negatively affects sperm parameters. Studies are showing the positive effects of weight control on sperm parameters.
Does Extreme Thinness Affect Fertility?
Extreme thinness disrupts the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Luteinising Hormone (LH) from the brain, preventing ovulation. At the same time, inadequate production of ovarian hormones prevents the uterine lining, called the endometrium, from becoming suitable for the implantation of the fertilised egg. Extreme thinness also causes sperm dysfunction and a decrease in sperm count in men.
