Dr Jodie Semmler spoke about the top ten tips our Fertility Specialists recommend to boost your chances of conception. Dr Semmler is one of Adelaide's leading gynaecological surgeons. She has had extensive experience in laparoscopic keyhole surgery treating fertility issues including the excision of endometriosis. Dr Semmler is also a sitting member of the Australian IVF Directors group.



1. 10 Tips for Healthy
Conception
Presented by
Dr Jodie Semmler

2. 10 Tips for Healthy Conception
• Everything in these slides applies to both
males and females
www.yourfertility.org.au

3. Stop Smoking
• Both active and passive smoking are
harmful to fertility
• Smokers take 1.5x longer to conceive
• Smoking reduces egg supply
•Smoking damages the DNA in sperm
•Smoking increases miscarriage rates
(and other pregnancy complications)

4. Stop smoking
• The less you smoke the better
(reduce now!)
• After 1 year of stopping most
negative effects are reversed
• www.quit.org.au

5. Exercise
• Is really really good for you!
• Helps manage stress and weight
• Increased pre-pregnancy fitness can
reduce muscular-skeletal problems
during pregnancy
•Particularly helpful for management of
PCOS related fertility issues

6. Reduce Caffeine
• High levels of caffeine intake may prolong
“time to pregnancy”
• Greater than 5 cups coffee a day has been
associated with increased miscarriage
• 2 caffeinated drinks per day or less is
probably safe (less than 170mg caffeine)

7. Minimise Alcohol Intake
• Boys as well as girls!
• NHMRC recommends zero alcohol for women trying to
conceive (but no strong evidence for this)
• Heavy drinking definitely reduces fertility
• Moderate drinking probably affects fertility (one study
greater than 6 units per week for the female or male was
shown to reduce IVF chances)
• “Sensible” guideline – 1-2 standard drinks 1-2 times per
week probably OK

8. Review all medications
• All illicit drugs harmful to fertility and
pregnancy – cocaine, heroine, ecstasy
• Anabolic steroids – reduced sperm count
• Marijuana – seriously affects sperm motility
• Prescription medications should be reviewed
with your doctor
• Care with alternative medicines - many have
not been proven to be safe in pregnancy and
exact composition often unclear

9. Reduce Exposure to Toxins
• Avoid – heavy metals (lead,
mercury), some industrial chemicals
and solvents, pesticides, radiation
• Having your hair dyed is fine!
• WCH drug information line -
81617350 can be a useful resource

10. Reduce or Manage
Stress
• “Eustress” is normal and OK
• Stress “per se” is unlikely to affect fertility but it may
reduce intercourse frequency and increase unhealthy
habits
• Extreme stress with associated weight loss may disrupt
ovulation
• Exercise, massage, yoga, relaxation tapes, meditation
and holidays all good

11. Sleep well
• 6-8 hours sleep per night
recommended
• Aids weight and stress
management
• Increase exercise, decrease
caffeine
• Relaxation techniques

12. Take Folate
• Recommended 500mcg daily to
reduce NTD (spina bifida)
• Adding a multivitamin “may” benefit
some women
• Any multivitamin should be
specifically approved for pregnancy
(care with vitamin A dose)
• Still need a well balanced diet!

13. Be a Healthy
Weight
• Women who are overweight or obese have less
chance of getting pregnant
• A woman with a BMI greater than 30 is 2.5x more likely
to lose her baby before birth (includes miscarriage)
• Risks during pregnancy include – High
BP, diabetes, pre-eclampsia, caesarean, still birth
• Chance of IVF working is reduced by 50% (ie halved)

14. Be a healthy weight
• Overweight or obese men have poorer sperm quality than
healthy weight men
• Hormonal changes in obesity can cause decreased libido
and increased erectile problems
• If male partner is obese this reduces IVF chances by 50%
• If both male and female obese – marked reduction in
fertility and IVF chances

15. The Good
News
• Increasing fitness and reducing weight by only 5-10%
can have a marked positive effects on fertility
• Exercising together can be fun!
• Fertility SA’s “Health and Well-being Programme”
What have you got to lose?

16. Consulting Clinic
345 Carrington Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Phone 8100 2900
e info@fertilitysa.com.au
w www.fertilitysa.com.au