Getting in Shape

Merrion Fertility Clinic, attached to the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street is a leading fertility centre, providing reproductive medicine and surgery with state of the art technology and record pregnancy rates.

As Ireland’s only not for profit fertility clinic, the expert and caring team at Merrion Fertility Clinic is committed to individualized care plans based solely on evidence-based medical practice. Professor Mary Wingfield, Clinical Director, gives the following advice on optimising fertility.

Sooner is Better

• Women are most fertile below 35, men below 50.
• Miscarriages increase with age.
• Work, mortgages, travel will wait – your biological clock won’t – go for it!

Diet

• Eat lots of fresh vegetables and moderate amounts of fruit.
• Avoid processed foods and refined sugar.
• Choose wholegrain rather than white flour/pasta/rice.
• Nuts and seeds are full of vitamins and anti-oxidants.
• Chose oily fish and a vegetarian option at least once a week.
• Dairy products provide calcium and vitamin D.

Weight

• A healthy BMI is 19-25
• For women who are overweight, losing weight (7-10% of current weight) often leads to pregnancy, especially in women with polycystic ovaries.
• Being underweight is not good either – it can stop you ovulating and is not good for baby’s growth

Exercise

• Everything in moderation
• It is important to keep fit but don’t overdo it.
• Excessive exercise affects ovulation in women and sperm production in men.

Safe Sex

• Prevent sexually transmitted infections by being careful with partners and using condoms. Infection can damage women’s tubes and men’s sperm.

Smoking

• Smoking reduces both female and male fertility.
• Smoking increases the chance of miscarriage and all pregnancy problems.

Seek Medical Help

• If you have any concerns and particularly if you have had gynaecological or testicular problems, talk to your doctor or contact us at Merrion Fertility Clinic.