Planning for a Baby? Tips for Men

You may have decided that you do not want to become a father soon after your marriage. This may be for various reasons such as getting to know your partner better, financial commitments and so on. But now after this break, you have taken the decision to step into fatherhood. Here are a few things that you may have to avoid either partly or in full for easy conception. Though you may not want to adopt some of them, remember that you are doing them for your baby.

• Avoid having hot water baths. Or at least, see that you do not pour hot water on your testicles. Cooler testicles can produce healthier sperms. A hot water bath can harm immature sperms. Regular hot water baths you have now can adversely impact your fertility three months later.
• Avoid tight or warm underwear that tend to rub against the groin area and increase its temperature.
• Avoid excessive cycling if you enjoy riding your bicycle. Your testicles can get compressed between the legs and the seat of the bicycle and become overheated. This can reduce the sperm count.
• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can reduce the chances of producing a healthy sperm.
• Avoid or at least cut down on smoking and caffeine. These can impact sperm count. Remember that caffeine is found in sources other than coffee as well. Some examples are chocolates, cola and so on.
• Avoid contact with industrial chemicals and pesticides as far as possible. Men who are in an occupation that comes into close contact with paint, varnish etc. for extended periods may have reduced sperm motility.
• Avoid getting stressed and practise some relaxation techniques such as yoga.
• Avoid medications that are likely to affect the quality of the sperm. Talk to your doctor before you take any medication and completely avoid over the counter medicines. If you are on a regular medication, talk to your doctor about your plans of having a baby. The doctor may prescribe alternatives if the medicines you are using now can impact fertility.
• Avoid gaining or losing too much weight.
• Avoid sitting continuously for long hours as this can heat your genitals. These can affect sperm quality and production. Examples of this are long hours of work in front of the computer, a long non-stop ride on the motorcycle and so on. Take a break and walk around for sometime.
• Avoid diets that do not contain greens and junk food that contains no nutritive value.