Trying for a baby? Let’s talk about the things that can really help you prepare.
Deciding to start (or grow) your family is such an exciting step, but it can also bring up a lot of questions. One of the biggest ones I hear from women and couples is: “Is there anything I can do to boost my chances of conceiving naturally?”
The answer is yes—and there’s more you can do than you might think.
The good news is that there are several simple, natural steps you can take that will support your body and mind, boost your fertility and help lay the best possible foundation for a healthy conception and pregnancy.
Even if you are planning or feel you have no alternative but to go the IVF route, taking the time to prepare will significantly increase your chances of conceiving and having a healthy baby. It could also reduce the number of rounds of treatment you may need, reducing not only the physical, and emotional stress of the process but also the financial side of things too.
If you have endometriosis, PCOS or maybe thyroid issues you may be feeling that there is little you can do to reduce to reduce their impact naturally. But I want you to know with these conditions taking an holistic approach can really help to boost your fertility and increase your chances of conceiving.
Here are some key tips I often share with the couples I work with:
1. Take a Holistic Approach
Fertility isn’t just about your reproductive organs. It involves your whole body, your mind, and even your emotional wellbeing. When we look at fertility holistically, we consider things like your diet, stress levels, gut health, sleep, mindset, and even your relationship with yourself and your partner. Everything is connected—and every part matters.
2. Nourish Your Body with Real Food
Eating a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet can do wonders for your fertility. Think whole foods, plenty of vegetables, good quality proteins, healthy fats, and lots of colour on your plate. Reducing ultra-processed foods and sugar is very important. Research is showing that consuming ultra- processed foods have a significant negative impact on fertility for both men and women.
3. Check Your Vitamin D Level
Vitamin D plays a surprisingly big role in fertility for both men and women. Research shows that 1 in 3 people are deficient in Vitamin D in the UK. Low levels are linked to issues with ovulation, implantation, and sperm quality. A simple blood test can tell you where you’re at, and a good quality supplement may help if you’re low.
4. Support Your Gut Health
Your gut does more than digest food—it also plays a key role in hormone balance, immunity, and inflammation (all important for fertility). If you’re experiencing digestive issues, bloating, constipation, fatigue, anxiety, or skin issues, these can be signs your gut needs some love. Eating fibre-rich foods, fermented foods, and reducing stress can all help. Having a healthy gut microbiome for both men and women prior to conception can help ensure that you have a healthy baby.
5. Reduce Your Toxic Load
Everyday products like cleaning sprays, plastic food containers, personal care products, non-stick saucepans and cosmetics can contain hormone-disrupting chemicals. Start by swapping out a few items for non-toxic versions. Even small changes can make a difference over time. You can find out more in my free E-book A Handy Guide to Non-Toxic home: How to Create a Healthy Environment for Fertility, Pregnancy and your Future Family.
6. Don’t Forget Your Partner
Fertility is a shared journey. Male fertility is just as important and is affected by many of the same factors—diet, stress, sleep, and toxin exposure. Encourage open conversations and make changes together. You’ll both benefit. You both want to be fit and healthy parents so that you can take proper care of your child until adulthood and beyond.
7. Learn to Manage Stress
Stress can impact hormone levels and ovulation, and it can leave you feeling emotionally drained. Taking time to unwind, prioritise sleep, practice mindfulness, or even go for a walk in nature can really help. Remember—your body is more receptive to conception when it feels calm and safe. Let go of things that feel no longer aligned in your life.
8. Listen to Your Body and Trust Your Instincts
You know your body better than anyone else. If something feels off, it’s okay to question it. And if your gut says there must be another way—listen. You’re allowed to want a more natural, more supportive path to conception.
9. Slow down
Are you constantly busy trying to fit in a million and one things into each and every day? Then it is time to look at ways you can slow down and take the pressure off yourself. Let go of all the have to’s, need to’s and musts. Start to let go of what other people think and start giving yourself the self-care you deserve. Practice saying “no” to things that just don’t feel aligned. In life everything is about energy and this has an impact on the whole conception process too.
If your life is already packed to the brim—physically, emotionally, and energetically—there may not be room for new life to enter.
10. Notice your thoughts
Do you find yourself with a tendency to be stuck in the negative? Notice those thoughts and practice reframing them into the positive. Mindset has a big impact on fertility. It’s proven in science. Your body listens to your thoughts.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for conception isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making small, meaningful changes that help you feel healthier, more balanced, and more connected to yourself and your partner.
If you’re not sure where to start or want a clearer plan that’s tailored to you, I’d love to support you.
You can book a free 30-minute Fertility Focus Call with me to talk through your next steps. No pressure, just a compassionate space to explore what’s possible.
You deserve to feel calm, confident, and hopeful on this journey and I am here to help and support you in increasing your chances of conceiving and having a healthy baby.
