Valentine’s Day Is the Perfect Time to Conceive
Getting Pregnant
Obie Editorial Team
Have you ever heard the old wives' tale about how some couples have trouble conceiving because they are overthinking the process? Well, there may be some truth to that tale after all. When a couple wants to conceive and it just won’t happen, stress can lead to further medical problems that negatively impact fertility. Valentine’s Day is the day of romance and love, so why not use that romantic aura to leave stress behind and try your hand at conceiving during the most romantic time of year.
Medical professionals have flipped from one side of the stress debate to the other for the last decade. While trying too hard was once thought of like an old wives' tale, it is now considered a serious problem for up to 30-percent of couples who experience infertility. While long-term studies are needed to fully understand the link between stress and infertility, some doctors admit that reducing stress has quite a positive impact on conception. According to Margareta D. Pisarska, MD, a director at Cedars Sinai Reproductive Medicine Center, “It’s becoming more and more important, in terms of what studies we do, to focus our efforts on the physiological effects of stress and how they play a role in conception.” What better way to relieve stress than to plan a conception day around Valentine’s Day tradition of romance?
Remember, the idea is to reduce stress with a little romance on the most romantic day of the year. Valentine’s Day is surrounded by feelings of love, affection, and sensuality, so play off those emotions to create the perfect atmosphere for conception. Don’t spend all your time trying to pick the best location for dinner, the best shirt for the night out and the best gift for her (him). Instead, focus on the love you share with your partner and the romance that will guide you through the evening.
Sure, there are bound to be a few hiccups along the way for some couples. If your menstrual cycle is due on Valentine’s Day, try planning your Valentine’s Day celebration after menstruation stops. Or, for even more fun, give your partner one date night a week for two or three months after Valentine’s Day. This gives you more freedom to enjoy the holiday and a better chance at conception.
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While stress has not been directly linked to infertility, the physical demands on the body during stressful situations are enough to trigger natural protective instincts.
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