Prepping for Your Donor Egg Pregnancy With a Healthier You

One egg and one sperm join to miraculously form an embryo, and over the course of a lifetime, those cells will multiply into an estimated 37 trillion cells to form the adult human body. Regardless of the egg’s origin, you or your gestational carrier’s (GC) uterus will protect and nurture that embryo, and the success of a pregnancy is ultimately dependent on the wellness of the carrier. Here are three (3) tips to equip your body with the best possible uterine environment for this exciting donor egg journey:

1. EAT AND DRINK WELL

Everything that goes into your body will nourish your uterine environment and optimize egg donation success, so be sure to balance your pre-pregnancy diet as the best preparation for embryo implantation.

Leafy greens, such as spinach, turnip greens, and kale, are a great source of iron, and they promote red blood cell production to enhance circulation to your uterine lining tissues. Chlorophyll a, which makes veggies green, has a very similar chemical structure to hemoglobin, the main component of blood (check it out for yourself!), and therefore serves a similar function in our bodies – blood and nutrient transport. Poultry, red meat, beans, and mushrooms are other great examples of iron sources that promote cardiovascular health, too.

Calcium is another important mineral that affects uterine muscle activity and can be found in foods such as white beans, kale, oranges, and dairy products. In addition to stronger bones and teeth, it plays a key role in muscle contraction, which may contribute to the embryo’s ability to implant onto the uterine wall.

What good is eating the right minerals without the right vitamins to absorb them into the body? Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits and berries, and vitamin D, found in fatty fish and dairy products (also made naturally in the body when exposed to sunlight), aid in absorbing calcium and iron. And be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and transport all these nutrients throughout your body. This year, try a variety of new recipes to get a tasty combination of vitamins and minerals for your uterine health and donor egg journey.

2. MOVE YOUR BODY

Did you know the main artery that circulates blood to your legs, supplies blood to your reproductive organs, too? This flow transports nutrients and oxygen to the uterine tissue, which supports embryo implantation. Doing aerobic exercises like brisk walking, swimming or spin classes, just for 30 minutes a day can improve circulation throughout your body, including your uterus. The goal is to find a heart-pumping activity that you enjoy and partner up with a loved one for motivation and maybe even a few laughs!

Up to 40% of Americans self-reported that they lived a sedentary lifestyle and did not exercise outside of their job, contributing to weak uterine muscles. Flexibility training, such as yoga and dance classes, gets your hips moving, which can strengthen and align your pelvic floor. Move your body for just a few minutes every day, and create an ideal space for your reproductive organs to protect and nurture the developing embryo.

3. READ A BOOK

You may be wondering, “How can reading a book improve my uterine environment?” This tip is more of a reminder to always take care of your spiritual and mental health, no matter how long you’ve been on your journey to parenthood. Plus, there is a strong correlation between parents who read for pleasure, and children who read, too --- it’s a good habit to pick up, and gives you a chance to model the behaviors you want your future donor-conceived children to emulate.

According to the Mayo Clinic, reading a physical book before bed can also improve your sleeping habits. If you create a nightly ritual of reading before bed, your body recognizes the pattern and begins to wind down. Staring at a phone or tablet screen mimics daytime sunlight, and according to research, you may lose sleep because of it. Remember, good, old-fashioned books don’t need batteries, and the impact of a good read lasts even longer anyway.

At some point you’ve probably heard all this advice before. Why? Because preparing for a donor egg pregnancy requires the same love and healthy nourishment that you would need at any other time in your life. As a donor egg intended parent, you should strive to maintain a healthy weight, with a balanced diet and moderate daily exercise, and strive to maintain an active brain and establish good reading habits for your family. Put the “u” back in “uterus”, and kick start this spring season with a healthier daily routine to become a stronger you for your family.

References:

http://greatist.com/health/18-surprising-dairy-free-sources-calcium
http://healthland.time.com/2011/02/21/uterus-may-be-more-important-than-egg-quality-for-healthy-babies/
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/other/health-benefits-of-chlorophyll.html
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Is_Your_Uterus_Happy_Healthy_Tips_for_a_Happy_Uterus.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16794431
http://researchpub.org/journal/cs/number/vol1-no2/vol1-no2-3.pdf
http://natural-fertility-info.com/increase-circulation-uterus.html

                                                 Have you been prepping your body for pregnancy?

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