Your Fertility Journey: Why It’s Never Too Early to Start Preparing
When you’re trying to conceive, timing can feel like everything. But what many people don’t realise is that preparing for pregnancy doesn’t begin the moment you start trying—it begins months beforehand.
The health of your egg and sperm, along with the overall health of your body, plays a crucial role in conception. These elements take time to optimise, and addressing underlying health concerns can take even longer.
Let’s explore why it’s never too early to start preparing for your fertility journey.
The 90-Day Window for Egg and Sperm Health
Eggs take 90 days to mature, which means the egg that you ovulate with has been developing over the last 90 days.
And it’s a similar process for sperm, with the average maturation process taking 60 days.
During this time:
Eggs are influenced by the hormonal environment in your body, which affects their quality and potential for fertilisation.
Sperm are developing and maturing, making them highly susceptible to factors like diet, lifestyle, and toxins.
The choices you make in those 90 days can have a direct impact on the health of your eggs and sperm, which contain the DNA that may become your future baby.
This is why proactive preconception care before you start actively TTC is SO important.
How do I support egg and sperm health?
To give your body the best possible chance for successful conception, your preconception care should involve:
A nutrient-rich diet with a focus on key nutrients that support cell quality.
Minimise exposure to harmful substances like alcohol, smoking, and environmental toxins, which can negatively affect egg and sperm quality.
Manage Stress: High levels of stress can disrupt hormone balance. Incorporate stress-reducing activities like meditation, yoga, or even just daily walks.
Improve Blood Flow: Staying active and hydrated helps promote blood flow to the reproductive organs, supporting their health and function.
Addressing underlying conditions e.g. PCOS / endometriosis / irregular cycles
While the 90-day window is essential for egg and sperm health, underlying health conditions that may impact your fertility can take longer to address and manage.
For example:
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome): This common condition affects ovulation and can cause hormonal imbalances. Managing PCOS often requires dietary and lifestyle adjustments, blood sugar regulation, and weight management, which can take several months to show results.
Endometriosis: This inflammatory condition can impact egg quality and implantation. Reducing inflammation through an anti-inflammatory diet and addressing hormonal imbalances takes time and consistency.
Nutrient Deficiencies: Deficiencies in essential nutrients like iron, vitamin D, or zinc can take months to correct, especially if levels are significantly low.
Starting early allows you to address these challenges gradually, giving your body the time it needs to respond to treatment and improve fertility outcomes.
The Power of Early Preparation
Starting your fertility journey early has several advantages:
Time to Identify Issues: Early testing and consultations with a fertility nutritionist can uncover potential challenges, like thyroid dysfunction or low progesterone, which may affect your ability to conceive.
Opportunity to Make Lifestyle Changes: Building new habits—like improving your diet, increasing physical activity, or managing stress—takes time. Starting early ensures you can make long-term sustainable changes without pressure.
Improved Outcomes: By giving your body adequate time to adjust to a fertility-friendly environment, you’re setting yourself up for the best possible chance of conception and a healthy pregnancy.
What if I’m not ready to actively start trying to conceive?
Even if you’re not planning to start trying for a baby immediately, early preparation is still beneficial. Think of it as laying the foundation for your future fertility.
The healthier your body is now, the more prepared it will be when the time comes.
Begin Your Fertility Journey Today
Your fertility is a journey, not a race. By understanding the 90-day window for egg and sperm health and taking the time to address underlying conditions, you’re giving yourself the best possible chance for success.
Whether you’re ready to start trying now or planning for the future, it’s never too early to begin. If you’d like personalised guidance on how to optimise your fertility, consider booking a consultation with a fertility nutritionist. Together, we can create a tailored plan to support your journey and help move you closer to your dream of starting or growing your family.
Are you ready to take the first step?
