TTC for the first time? An OB shares 5 expert pointers

Words by Poppy 

TTC for the first time is exciting (and a little terrifying). It’s natural to feel overwhelmed with questions and concerns, so we picked up with pre-conception and pregnancy supplement experts, Beli and maternal fetal specialist Dr. Steve Rad to go over your top FAQs.

Are you good-to-go with a fertility supplement? Beli’s formulations are unique, science-backed blends of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants expertly combined to improve the conception rates and the health of you and baby.

Prepare for pregnancy with the most frequently asked questions – answered here – to help you on your journey to parenthood, whichever stage you’re at.

1. I’m TTC for the first time – should I track my cycle?

Tracking your cycle is a great starting point if you’re trying to get pregnant. Everyone has their own cycle, and understanding yours will optimize your chances at conceiving.

You can predict your period manually with the simple calendar method, or many women use ovulation sticks which detect the luteinizing hormone (LH) present when the eggs are released for fertilization. 

Remember that tracking your cycle is not an exact science, and while it can be very helpful in getting to grips with your natural rhythm, there’s no need to worry about it too much when you’re just starting out. You do you.

2. What are prenatals and should I take them?

Good question. The use of high-quality prenatal supplements is a scientifically supported method for improving your health and that of your growing baby.

Here at Beli we’re passionate about helping people get pregnant, and we cannot emphasize enough the importance of preconception care for both moms and dads.

Ensuring your body is healthy and ready for a baby starts before fertilization, and prenatal supplements are an invaluable tool here. We suggest taking a prenatal vitamin (you and your male partner, if you have one) 3-6 months before you’re aiming to conceive. 

The lifecycle of sperm is about three months, which means the choices you make today will impact the sperm that are ready to make a baby in three months. For women, it is a similar time span for egg maturation. The lifestyle and diet choices you are making today can either have a positive or negative impact on your conception in three months’ time.

Beli for Women is formulated with key vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to support you at every stage of pregnancy – from preconception through to postnatal. Beli is also third party tested and has received the Purity Award from Clean Label Project.

Some of the key nutrients found in Beli supplements include:

• Choline: a powerful compound that helps to reduce miscarriage risk and protect against neural tube defects.
• Thiamin (Vitamin B1): a crucial vitamin for supporting your baby’s development as well as reducing nausea and morning sickness throughout pregnancy.
• Folate (Vitamin B-9): essential for red blood cell formation which in pregnancy reduces the chance of birth defects and aids spine development.
• Vitamin C: improves hormone levels and produces the protein collagen which is a key component in developing your baby’s bones, cartilage, skin and tendons. You can keep your Vitamin C levels up naturally with a healthy balanced diet, but Beli for Women gives you a guaranteed daily dose so you don’t need to stress about always getting it elsewhere. 
• Vitamin D: another key vitamin that helps regulate calcium, supporting implantation and ensuring healthy development of bones and muscles in your growing baby.
• Vitamin E: a natural antioxidant which protects cells against free radicals, preventing oxidative damage to cells.
• Vitamin K2: a highly effective vitamin for regulating the production of estrogen and progestogen, as well as having a hand in reducing the symptoms in women with PCOS.

Beli also has a product for men, Beli Vitality. Think of this as your go-to for improving men’s fertility, sperm count and sperm motility. Even for those who are not having fertility issues, we highly recommend that men take a prenatal vitamin as well. 

Men’s sperm lays the blueprint for the placenta which is the lifeline for the baby during pregnancy. Additionally, because sperm provides 50% of the genetic DNA,  this will have a direct impact on the future health of the baby. 

Want to know more? Here are a few reasons why we love Beli for Men. Use code FHH15 for 15% off your order here.

3. Are lifestyle changes essential for getting pregnant?

A drastic life overhaul won’t be necessary for most intended parents, but a few tweaks can really have an impact on the outcome.

Focus on making positive lifestyle choices. That means eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, drinking enough water and getting regular exercise. And yes, it means cutting down or eliminating certain habits, like booze, smoking and definitely recreational drugs.

Your mental health has a big part to play too: make sure you’re getting enough sleep and keeping your stress levels to a minimum. Mindfulness, meditation and talking therapy (if this suits you) are all invaluable self care practices here.

Basically, anything you do to improve your own wellbeing is beneficial for preconception – self care wins again.

4. If I do everything “right”, how quickly will I get pregnant?

There’s no definitive answer to this question, but we have some general guidelines that can give you a rough idea of what to expect. 

If you’re 36 or younger with no known fertility issues and you’re trying to conceive, there’s a chance of approximately 45% of getting pregnant within three months. 85% will try for a year; 93% for 18 months.

Keep in mind that every couple is different and there are myriad factors at play, so try not to focus too much on the stats and remember that your fertility journey is as unique as you are.

5. When is the right time to see a doctor for further advice?

If you’re trying to conceive naturally, the general advice is to wait at least 12 months before consulting a medical professional. This isn’t a hard rule, and if you have burning questions or any anxiety on the subject, don’t hesitate to see a doctor – even if just for your peace of mind.

Doctors can also help by ruling out issues with sperm and hormone levels, allowing you to make a decision on your next steps.

Snag 15% off the full range of Beli supplements with code FHH15, to help you on your TTC journey.