With post-lockdown babies reaching record highs, the world population is set to rise. If you\’re planning on starting the journey to parenthood, there are many factors to consider when planning a family, and your medical aid should be your top most priority.
Do you see yourself as part of the next baby boom? Then this article is for you.
Family planning is fundamental
Planning to start a family requires a clear focus and a plan. Some couples simply miss the mark because they are trying for a baby at the wrong time or they may be unsure of the intricacies of the female reproductive system. Many couples who are struggling to conceive are perfectly capable of having a baby with some extra effort. It all depends on how far they are prepared to go to achieve it. Every couple is different in terms of what they are willing to consider, from natural conception to IVF, egg donation, surrogacy and adoption.
Before mapping out your journey to being a parent, here are a few things to consider.
Know your body
Many people don\’t think about reproduction and fertility until they are ready to have a baby. Understanding your reproductive system can be a starting point. Important knowledge like, every female is born with 2 million eggs, of which about 300-400 will mature and be released in her lifetime. On the other hand males produce over 100 million sperm cells and one one is needed to make a baby. Knowing your chances are so vast, you can be at ease knowing your baby is one in a million.
Evaluate your physical condition. By taking stock of you and your partner’s physical health through regular check-ups with your doctor, you can identify the areas where you need to make adjustments in order to improve your chances of natural conception. Taking all the necessary background checks like blood pressure, iron levels or long term conditions such as epilepsy, high cholesterol or diabetes.
Mental health matters
Your mental health is important even in this planning phase. Trying for a baby can have its stresses, but keeping your mind relaxed and not putting yourself under pressure will help you along in your journey. Keep in mind that family members and friends can add to this stress by constantly bombarding you with tips, tricks, myths and thoughtless remarks. Keep your mind positive and relaxed. And if you can keep your family out of it, do.
Relax and have fun. Don’t let the focus of trying to conceive overshadow your relationship.
Stats have shown instances where many women have conceived babies outside their “fertile time window”, so throw the schedule out the window and keep the passion and pleasure alive.
Help matters along
Vitamins and minerals may improve your chances of achieving a pregnancy. A study of doctors from Leeds University indicated that women can produce better eggs and boost their fertility simply by taking a daily dose of multivitamins and minerals. Improving your health is well worth doing when trying to get pregnant, and a simple first step to upping your chances
If you and your partner have trouble conceiving naturally, there are many options available that you can explore. You can take fertility pills that help stimulate ovulation, IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatments, sperm or egg donation and even surrogacy. Males suffering from ED (erectile dysfunction) can safely take treatments recommended by their gynecologist where they can explore pill options such as Viagra or Cialis.
Don’t forget your medical aid
Review your medical aid and enquire about the coverage it can provide you on your journey. Having a baby is expensive, so make sure you have coverage that will cover all your check-ups, hospitalization and emergencies. Enquire about out of pocket costs for maternity care, delivery and new baby wellness care, and childhood illnesses. It’s important to upgrade your medical aid to cover everything before you start your conception journey, as some exclusions may leave you paying out of pocket if you only upgrade after.
If you want to start your family journey with RMA, get in touch here [link to email]
Sources: Family planning
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/preparing-to-start-a-family/
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/planning-your-pregnancy/
