Diabetes in men and pregancy

This is something which I’m sure is relevant to other people as well as us. My partner has type 1 diabetes and we have been wondering lately as to how much this would take a part in us getting pregnant. I would love to think it wouldn’t but then again its the whole unknown. I have done some research, which first thing I noticed was that there was a lot more about diabetes in women and pregnancy rather than men. I still found some very helpful information:

Diabetes causes a range of problems, in men these include:

• altered DNA of sperm, which affects getting pregnant, the health of the foetus and even the chance of live births
• males with diabetes have a lower semen levels

These problems are all made worse by the male having poor control over his blood sugar levels, which mean that his overall health is worse, therefore meaning the health of his sperm is also worse.

I think unless your partner isn’t in-control of his sugar levels, I cant see a reason why you shouldn’t try for a baby. This blog is not meant to be scare mongering, it is just information that I have found on the internet. My partner has good control over his blood sugar, so fingers crossed can’t see any problems. However, I know that we want children, so would still be trying anyway. As it must be remembered that diabetes only increases the risk of the aforementioned problems occurring, it is not a guarantee that they will, much like running across a road without looking increase the chance of being hit, but doesn’t mean it will definitely happen!

So fingers crossed that his diabetes won’t affect us getting pregnant too much.

So why do I have to wait so long?

Today I was at the doctors, for something unrelated to pregnancy, unfortunately. Anyway, as I was there, I thought that I would ask the doctor, when we would be able to be tested regarding mine and my partners fertility. She informed me that it would be 1 year after the 1 year it takes for the Depo-Provera injection to get out of your system. So that is 2 years after you finish the depo. Although hopefully I will be pregnant within 2 years this seems like a very long time.

I understand the reasoning (to a point), that it means people don’t finish the depo and immediately want to know if they are fertile. However if your body has returned to normal (normal periods) then why do you still have to wait for this 2 year point. Shouldn’t it be like a year  after they have returned to your normal pattern? And why do you have to have a year of trying, as be it by luck or planning, I am sure that within 6 months 99% of couples will have sex while she is ovulating at least once.

And yes there are testing kits that you can buy (as mentioned in previous blog: Fertility Tests) to monitor and plan when you are ovulating, but should I really have to pay for this, when there is an option available for free from the NHS.

Also, and I think that I have said about this before, but if the Depo injection does not leave your body for one year, then why do you have to have an injection every 3 months and not once a year??? And I know of a friend, who got pregnant while having the depo every 3 months as prescribed, so really I don’t think they actually know how long it will affect different people, but should it really be a widely used contraceptive if this is the case??? I often wonder this, and can find no suitably adequate answer either on the internet or from medical professionals.

So now its a case of waiting with fingers crossed, hoping that I am fortunate enough to fall pregnant within the next year and a half, before we are allowed to have tests on the NHS, to make sure that we are able to have children naturally.

What vitamins should I be taking????

Tonight I’ve been wondering what vitamins should I be taking when trying for a baby. My doctor told me when I came off the depo shot, 8 months ago, that I should be taking folic acid (400mg a day) which I have been doing, it’s not expensive to buy, I picked mine up from my local asda store for a few pounds, I’m sure other shops sell folic acid, with a cheap price tag.

You can also get folic acid from your diet, such as in leafy vegetables, breakfast cereals and bread it’s always best to check the food labels. It is though impossible to make sure you are getting enough folic acid from the food you eat (only way to make sure is to take a supplement)

Why is folic acid good to take?

It can reduce the risk of having a baby with a spinal cord problem, such as spina bifida. This is because a baby’s spinal cord needs a regular supply of folic acid, during early pregnancy. Evidence also shows that folic acid reduces the risk of a baby having heart defects, cleft lip and palate and the risk of premature labour.

After looking online today, I have pretty much gone around in a circle and ended up more confused than I was when I started looking.

From what I have seen online it varies a lot from what people say, there isn’t a clear yes and no as to what to take apart from the folic acid, that seems a must to take at least 3 months before conceiving and keep taking until you are 12 weeks pregnant.

Something I found interesting, is you shouldn’t take vitamin A supplement or any supplement containing vitamin a, due to a risk of harming the baby (birth defects)

Other vitamins people say to take before pregnancy.

Zinc: as this can help with ovulation and fertility in women and also seman and testosterone in men

Coenzyme Q10: there have been studies to show this can help with both female and male fertility.

Omega 3: particularly if you are having IVF. Human body can’t produce it, so need to get from foods, such as fish, plan and nut oils. It is meant help to improve embryo quality.

Iron: pregnant women need 27mg daily, which is more than normal female RDA. Iron is involved in the production of haemoglobin, which is vital for carrying oxygen around the body, and hence will help with the development of the embryo.

Calcium: as all the adverts tell us we need calcium for healthy teeth and bones, therefore it should not be a surprise that the growing foetus also requires it. Meaning that pregnant/and planning women need to raise their intake to allow for this.

Vitamin B6: meant to help prevent morning sickness if taken pre-conception.

You can buy packs of vitamins such as
Vitabotics Pregnacare Conception, Vitabotics Pregnacare Plus and Vitabotics Pregnacare His and Hers they have some of the vitamins in that I have said above. This sounds like a easier way of taking, than taking lots of different supplements.

I am happy to give anything a go, if it means the outcome is to be a baby. I believe that the placebo effect can really work when it comes to pregnancy. So if you think these extra vitamins can work, then maybe they will!

Please feel free to comment if you have any experience in supplements or aids to getting pregnant.

What foods will help us get pregnant???

This blog follows on nicely from my last one about myths and rumours, it’s about the different sorts of foods that can help a couple conceive.

The first thing that seems to come up while researching online, is a large list of things that should be avoided, as they decrease the chance of conception. These are:

• Cigarettes
• Alcohol
• Non-Prescription Drugs
• Caffeine (tea, coffee, cola, chocolate etc.)
• Too much Vitamins A, C and D
• Uncooked Meats and Eggs
• Soft Cheese
• Chips
• Crisps
• Foods made with white flour
• Soft drinks and fruit juices

Trans Fats are also something that it is recommended to avoid, as it affects the body’s ability to process sugars, due to its inability to handle insulin. This causes higher blood sugars, which in turn results in decreased fertility. Trans fats are found in a variety of foods, particularly processed and fried foods.

However there is a list of healthy fats sources, which can be eaten and are designed to increase the chance of getting pregnant:

• Avocados
• Olives and olive oil
• Coconut and coconut oil.
• Fresh, unroasted nuts and seeds (about a handful per day)
• Wild caught fish
• Organic eggs

As well as the unhealthy fats, it is also recommended that you avoid processed carbohydrates, again due to the same reason of increased sugar levels.

There are some foods that are naturally rich in complex simple carbohydrates, which are therefore good for the body, and help with fertility:

• Vegetables
• Legumes
• Whole Grain foods
• Nuts and Seeds

It is also important that you maintain high levels of Folic Acid and Iron, these can be obtained through use of supplements or through a range of foods, such as:

•  Lentils
• Chickpeas
• Asparagus
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Lima beans
• Beets
• Romaine lettuce
• Oranges
• Goji berries
• Spinach
• Lima beans
• Lentils
• Potatoes
• Navy beans
• Avocado

So far its all been for the female, here are a few food tips for the men, to help them increase their fertility. The main theme that seems to be running through is that foods that increase in Zinc levels. Foods that have high levels of Zinc are:

• Oysters
• Beef
• Poultry
• Dairy
• Nuts
• Eggs
• Whole Grains
• Beans

Also anti-oxidants are always beneficial to eat, as they detox the system, however, when trying to get your partner pregnant, they are even better and help with his fertility. Anti-oxidant foods and those which contain vitamins A, C and E, all of which help increase the male fertility:

• Cranberries
• Dried Fruit
• Pomegranates
• Leafy Greens
• Carrots
• Red Peppers
• Apricots
• Orange Juice
• Tomatoes
• Grapefruit
• Broccoli
• Sweet Potatoes
• Nuts and Seeds

Like with females, there are foods that men should avoid, as they will decrease his fertility. These are:

• Fatty foods
• High sugar foods
• High Mercury fish (swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, tuna steak and shark)
• Coffee
• Alcohol
• Non-prescription Drugs

Here are a few things that we have found online. I hope they help you conceive. If you have any suggestions, feel free to comment.