Improving your chances of getting pregnant

The age of the female partner is a large part of your chances of getting pregnant, either naturally or through fertility treatment. 

If you are older, you are more likely to develop preeclampsia, diabetes in pregnancy, and other complications. You are also more likely to have other health problems that will make specialist care necessary. 

Success rates for fertility treatments decrease with age, especially after 40. Public funding for fertility treatment is only available to women under 40. 

Alcohol can reduce the sperm quality and numbers, and affect embryo implantation. 

While occasional or moderate drinking may not reduce fertility, higher levels of drinking can have negative effects. 

Drinking during pregnancy is harmful and has been linked to miscarriage, stillbirth and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Smoking, alcohol and drugs when you are pregnant

If you are trying to get pregnant you should limit your caffeine to 100 to 130 milligrams a day (around one cup of coffee). Tea, chocolate and energy drinks also have caffeine in them. 

You should limit decaffeinated drinks as the chemicals used in the process may be harmful. 

Limit drinks that contain tannin, such as tea and red wine.

Many people who want to get pregnant try complementary therapies such as:

• Chinese herbs
• aromatherapy
• naturopathy
• acupuncture. 

Most alternative treatments have not be scientifically tested for their effects on:

• hormones
• sperm
• eggs or embryos
• the uterus. 

Some studies have shown that certain herbs affect sperm and egg function. You will need to tell the clinic if you are using complementary therapies.

Poorly controlled diabetes has an effect on fertility and can affect:

• erectile dysfunction
• how often you have your period
• ovulation. 

Many women also have polycystic ovary syndrome.

High sugar levels when you get pregnant can increase the risk of:

• miscarriage
• birth defects (especially the heart)
• issues with your baby's growth (too big or too small)
• early delivery
• high blood pressure.

It is important to control your sugar levels before you get pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider for advice. 

Good sugar control can improve your fertility as well as your pregnancy. 

If you have pre-diabetes, you are at higher risk of developing diabetes in pregnancy.

Taking folic acid before you get pregnant, and during pregnancy, will reduce the chances of your pēpi having neural tube defects (the structure that the brain and spinal cord form from). 

Iodine supplements are recommended from when you find out you are pregnant. It is essential for health brain development and fetal growth. They should be continued throughout your pregnancy.

Nutrients and supplements

It is recommended that male partners:

• maintain a healthy weight
• not smoke
• limit how much they drink
• avoid hot baths and spas
• wear loose underwear
• avoid working with a laptop on the thighs
• ejaculate often 
• take antioxidant supplements.

Some medications can affect the male and female reproductive system. These include medication for:

• epilepsy
• hay fever
• gout
• gastric and blood pressure disorders
• steroids
• antibiotics.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns about medications you are taking. This includes vitamins and herbal supplements. 

Some medical conditions can reduce your chances of getting pregnant. If you have any medical problems, these need to be assessed and your general health improved before you get pregnant.

If you plan to get pregnant you should avoid marijuana and other recreational drugs. Marijuana has a negative effect on both sperm and egg quality. 

Marijuana during pregnancy and while breastfeeding can cause delays in childhood brain development, attention deficit disorders and depression. 

Use of methamphetamines results in:

• increased preterm birth (less than 37 weeks pregnancy)
• haemorrhage
• babies with low birth weight
• children with developmental delay, especially attention, memory, motor skills and learning.

Smoking, alcohol and drugs when you are pregnant

All women having fertility treatment will have blood tests to confirm:

• if they are immune to rubella
• they do not have hepatitis, syphilis or HIV.

Rubella infection in pregnancy increases the chances of:

• miscarriage
• severe birth defects
• childhood deafness
• cataracts
• intellectual disabilities.

If you are not immune to rubella, you need to be immunised and delay getting pregnant for 28 days. 

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine

Men will also be tested for hepatitis and HIV.

To be eligible for funding for fertility treatment, you need to have quit smoking for 3 months and remain non-smoking throughout fertility treatment. 

Smoking may also affect sperm quality and numbers. 

Smoking during pregnancy can also increase the risk of:

• ectopic pregnancy
• miscarriage
• haemorrhage
• fetal anomalies
• low birth weigh babies
• preeclampsia
• premature labour.

After birth it can increase the risk of childhood respiratory illnesses and sudden unexpected death in infancy. 

Smoking, alcohol and drugs when you are pregnant

Quitting smoking

The stress of fertility treatments affects everyone differently. To help with the stress:

• consider learning relaxing techniques or enrolling in yoga or meditation classes
• think carefully about when you want to have treatment
• do not worry if you cannot take time off.

Counsellors are available before, during and after treatment if you need extra support.

Travel is usually safe during pregnancy. But it is important to consider possible infections caught overseas, like Zika virus or malaria. Other infections can be caught from the environment, or through food and water. 

Zika virus

Malaria

The most effective way to improve your changes of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby is to have a healthy body weight. Being overweight during pregnancy can increase your risk of:

• having a baby with an abnormality or issues with growth 
• developing diabetes or preeclampsia
• developing a blood clot
• having difficulties with monitoring your pregnancy and labour
• requiring a caesarean section.

Women who are overweight or underweight are less likely to get pregnant from most forms of fertility treatment, particularly IVF.

Men who are overweight may have reduced sperm quality and movement.