As a birth photographer and doula, babies and pregnancy are always at the forefront of my mind. I understand that many of my clients are on their own personal journeys toward parenthood, and whether you’ve just started trying for a baby or you’ve been on this path for a while, it’s always good to understand the various (and surprising) that can affect your fertility. I thought it was worth talking about some of them here, especially since some often fly under the radar.
Now, before we jump in, just a quick reminder: this post is meant to be helpful and informative, but it’s always best to chat with your doctor if you’re having fertility concerns. While I love sharing what I’ve learned, this blog isn’t a replacement for professional medical advice.
Alright, let’s dive into it!
Stress
Life is stressful, right? Between work, relationships, and just daily adulting, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos. But here’s the thing—stress can actually throw a wrench in your fertility. It can disrupt ovulation, mess with your cycle, and even lower sperm count.
Finding ways to manage stress is key. Whether it’s through yoga, meditation, or even just taking a walk, the important part is finding what works for you. Personally, I’ve found that carving out time to breathe (yes, just breathe!) can work wonders. Of course, I have my trusted essential oils at hand – Lavender, Magnolia and Ylang Ylang are some of my favourites. I put on the water diffuser while I’m at home, or use my roller bottles when I am on the go.
Fun fact: According to a study, women with high levels of alpha-amylase, a stress biomarker, were found to have a lower chance of getting pregnant. So, it’s not just a feeling, it’s science! (Lynch et al., 2014).
Lack of Sleep
Sleep is one of those things that seems to disappear when you need it most. Yet, getting enough of it is essential—not only for feeling like a functioning human but also for your fertility. Hormonal balance, sperm count, regular periods, just health in general—it’s all tied to good sleep.
If you’ve got a newborn or crazy work schedule, I totally get how tricky it can be getting enough sleep. I’ve always had issues falling asleep. I find that on days where I did some exercise, or have a high step count, I fall asleep faster. In the winter, I like to soak my feet in a hot footbath with magnesium salt and different variations of essential oils – Roman Chamomile, Neroli or Wild Orange to name a few.
Poor Diet
Look, I’m not the diet police (trust me, I love my pizza and ice cream), but nutrition plays a big role in fertility. Foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats can disrupt your hormones, making it harder to conceive.
There is no shortcut here – eating healthy takes a lot of work. The best way to make sure that you don’t get caught by sugar and other cravings is to make sure you always have a easy, healthy snack at hand. I like to have berries in the house, and if I have a bit of time, I absolutely love a cooked apple or pear with cinnamon and a bit of honey. I also sneak spinach into my smoothies. It’s quick, easy, and a great way to get those greens in.
Environmental Toxins
Environmental toxins can also impact fertility. Things like pesticides and BPA (yep, those stuff in plastic containers) can mess with your reproductive system. A lot of supplements, make-up and skin care products can contain fillers that impact our bodies. This is one I find particularly tough, because we are bombarded with information, and sometimes it’s just impossible to know what harmful elements are in all these products we use. Opting for organic and/or produce, natural cleaning products, BPA-free containers and clean beauty products can help with this.
I’ve started making some of my own cleaning products and hand and body washes at home— it’s super easy and no nasty chemicals to worry about. Bonus: Because I get to choose which essential oils I want to add to it, it smells great! I buy my castile soap and other natural products from Natural Heroes. My essential oils I buy from DoTerra.
Over-Exercising
Now this is not something I will struggle with, but for a lot of us exercising is a way to escape the difficult reality, and without realising it you might be overdoing it. Too much exercise can actually mess with your fertility. It can affect your hormones, cause irregular periods, and lower sperm count. So, if you’re a workout warrior, just remember to keep it balanced.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D is a game-changer when it comes to fertility. It helps regulate hormones and supports the development of healthy eggs and sperm. If you’re not getting enough sunshine or taking a supplement, it could be affecting your chances. Especially during a Dutch winter. When buying supplements, you don’t want to be adding more toxins and chemicals in your body. So make sure you do your research and pick a clean brand. There are a lot of great brands on the market, two of my favourite are VitaKruid and Solgar.
Fertility is complex, and there are so many factors at play – a lot more than I mentioned here (think age, genetics, smoking, alcohol, to name a few). Just by being aware of these influences, you can take steps to improve your chances of conceiving. Every little bit helps.
I understand how important it is to document this special time in your life. If you’re interested in capturing these precious moments, from the fertility and birth journey to parenthood, please take a look at my portfolio.