A Sweet Conception

Choosing Conception

The human life cycle naturally begins when sperm meets ovum (egg). Most people are well aware of the machinations involved in creating life. But high school health class and Dr. Google aren’t the right resources to turn to when considering this life changing, and life creating decision.

What Dr. Google might say about conception

I scanned a number of the top health websites to see how they suggest how to prepare for pregnancy and they all agreed that it’s essential to stop cigarettes, alcohol, coffee, eat a healthy diet, exercise and relax. It was also noted that these recommendations were given to the women, and the male, sperm carriers were not mentioned.

However, the wording was very clear that this was to occur “while trying to conceive” and not to be accomplished six months prior to trying to conceive.

What Dr. Google’s advice looks like

In my imagination, a couple following that advice would decide one day that they were going to try for a child, have a wild day of drinking, smoking, using pot, eating junk food to have one last hurrah before trying to get pregnant. The next day, they’d both crawl out of bed and have a few cups of coffee. He’d have a couple of beer for his hangover and she’d take a few painkillers for her headache and that night the couple would commence their efforts to conceive a child.

If they were to conceive on that first night (and it often happens) the sperm and the egg are a carrying the leftover alcohol, drugs, coffee, and tobacco (and its 70 known carcinogens) from each of the partners. That is the material that’s at the foundation of creating this particular fetus.

I’m (kind of) exaggerating this scenario to demonstrate the danger of following online advice from “respected” sources. Many people approach conception from the perspective of “what do I have to give up from my lifestyle?” in order to have a successful pregnancy. And this kind of online advice gives permission to continue unhealthy practices until the time of “trying to conceive”. So, the argument often is, I’m going to start trying to conceive tomorrow so today I can do and have whatever I want.

What I Say About Conception!

Ideally, both partners would abstain from cigarettes, alcohol, coffee, over-the-counter drugs, and prescription medications, including the birth control pill, for the six months prior to conception. They also would eat organic food that was not genetically engineered and is free of pesticides, herbicides, hormones, and the other chemical adulterants common in factory-farmed and processed foods. For both partners, stress would be at a minimum and regulated by meditation, prayer, and affirmations, EFT tapping, deep breathing, daily exercise, and a loving and grateful attitude toward life and other people.

That means, before your first foray into baby-making, both partners’ body, mind and spirit will ideally be clear and clean for six months, creating a pristine environment in which you can conceive, nourish and grow another human.

In my way of thinking, the creation of another human life is to be undertaken with deliberate intention and preparation in order to maximize the possibility of a positive outcome.

Can a fetus grow in this environment?

Looking at the exaggerated scenario I showed earlier, if the environment is a toxic one, is this a feasible environment in which to grow a fetus? And is this a reason why many people have trouble conceiving a child in the first 6 months to a year of trying? The egg and sperm may simply refuse to combine together in such toxic, harsh environment.

AT LEAST Six months before going condom-free

The high rate of infertility can’t be ignored. Have you noticed all the IVF clinics that have popped up. Then there are the incredible number of toxins in breast milk that point to a need for both partners to detoxify before conception. When there are too many toxins in the blood and the body’s efforts are directed at “clean-up,” then it’s not going to even allow conception. The body works on “priorities” and the priority is not conception. If you do get pregnant and the environment is not ready, miscarriage can be the body’s way of averting a problem. One-third of all pregnancies result in miscarriage in the first trimester.

Here are some reasons to clean up your environment:

1. Don’t Smoke cigarettes because cigarettes contain thousands of chemicals that are either contaminants of the tobacco plant or chemicals produced by burning tobacco. Among the chemicals are nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, arsenic, pesticides, ammonia, acetone (from nail polish remover). There are also substances added to addict consumers – one of them is sugar.
2. Don’t Smoke cannabis. When you burn the leaf of a marijuana plant, you will also create thousands of byproducts from the mix of its 400 chemicals. Research about the dangers of cannabis is available but it’s not highlighted by the media.
3. Don’t Drink Alcohol. My basic understanding of alcohol is that it is a poison, although the alcohol industry periodically funds studies to say that there are benefits. Even the standard medical advice about alcohol and pregnancy is that it is not safe to drink alcohol during pregnancy. Period. That should give you a big clue that it’s probably unsafe for everyone. Alcohol can cause problems for the developing fetus throughout pregnancy, including before you even know you are pregnant. Think of it this way. There is a direct blood transfer from you to your baby in the womb. When you drink alcohol, it goes straight into your baby’s blood and can damage the growth of cells, especially sensitive are brain and spinal cord cells. And your baby’s liver has to get to work immediately to detox that alcohol. So, if you are planning to conceive, avoid alcohol. It’s a horrible irony to use alcohol to “get in the mood” when you are trying to conceive!
4. Don’t Drink Coffee! I was shocked to learn that 80% of the adult population drinks coffee. Since I never got into the habit, I never realized how addicted the population is. Health authorities recommend lowering your intake during pregnancy, but they don’t say to stop it. They say that evidence shows that caffeine is safe during pregnancy if limited to 200 mg or less per day. This is the equivalent of 1–2 cups of coffee or 2–4 cups of caffeinated tea. Remember – even green tea is caffeinated. I’d rather women not drink any coffee because it’s a diuretic and can deplete magnesium. Also, if it’s being used to wake up or give you energy – you’re better off taking picometer magnesium!
5. Reduce Your Stress As mentioned earlier, for both partners, stress should be at a minimum and regulated by meditation, prayer, and affirmations, EFT tapping, deep breathing, daily exercise, and a loving and grateful attitude toward life and other people. You can find a series on EFT in my blog archive.
6. Eating to Prepare for Conception For a full six months before even trying to get pregnant, both partners eat an organic diet that is free of GMOs, pesticides, herbicides, hormones, and the other chemical adulterants common in factory-farmed and processed foods as much as possible. This may seem too strict but it’s time we realized that with over 50% of the U.S. population suffering from chronic disease and 70% obese or overweight, we are being fed a very unhealthy diet. I’ve gone through many versions of suggesting an optimal diet. Most recently, I’ve moved to the Keto Diet to help people focus on weight management and balancing yeast overgrowth. To learn more about this diet and how it can improve your wellness, my comprehensive book, ReSet Your Ideal Weight, is available to members.

7. Dietary Supplements for Conception There is no one “fertility supplement.” All vitamins and minerals are involved in making a new life. Well-absorbed dietary supplements that support the structure and function of the body, mind, and spirit from the cellular level are vital. I recommend food-based vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K; picometer minerals including magnesium; and Omega-3 fatty acids. I’ve written several books on my various formulas that will explain why nutrients are necessary. Also, my customer service at RnAReSet® can help you develop your fertility supplement program.

Getting a baseline reading of your magnesium, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, folate and iron will give you insight into where your health picture is when you embark on improving fertility. Nutritional testing can be done without a doctor’s prescription in many states. For example, we have a close relationship with Grassroots Health, which provides an in-home finger prick testing kit. Click here to find out more.

Recently two young friends told me they are pregnant with a huge smile and light in their eyes at this gift. They are both approaching their pregnancies with such a positive, loving attitude that you can’t help but be moved by the gift of life that women possess. Blessings and Support to all mothers and all babies!

Carolyn Dean MD ND
The Doctor of the Future