In our candid, no-holds barred interview with fertility coach Marie Otsuka, we uncover things we never knew about getting pregnant.
Marie Otsuka has spent her last 10 years at the Advanced Centre for Reproductive Medicine (ACRM) Singapore. A typical day for Marie can involve seeing up to 20-30 patients – and she’s amassed quite a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the specific challenges that Singaporeans face with getting pregnant.
“The first thing that Singaporeans need to know about getting pregnant is that it’s not rocket science,” says Marie. “Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, but for the average Singaporean, all it takes is regular exercise, a decent diet, and not too much stress. With these 3 components, getting pregnant should be no issue.”
Why do so many couples find it difficult to get pregnant, then? Marie explains that whilst these couples understand what’s stopping them from conceiving (in most cases, stress!), they don’t actively work on removing these barriers.
High stress levels
“In particular, many couples who work in high-stress environments find themselves caught between their desire in having a baby, and their desire to excel in their career,” Marie says. Working till 9 or 10pm every night is obviously not conducive to getting pregnant. However, many individuals find it tough to work towards a more balanced lifestyle, and balk at the thought of cutting back on their working hours.
Misconceptions about exercise
Another contributing factor to infertility in Singapore? Misconceptions about how exercise impacts fertility, says Marie.
Many couples lead sedentary lifestyles for the bulk of their adulthood – and only scramble to start exercising when they’re thinking of having a baby. According to Marie, this simply won’t work, as consistent exercise is required in order to maintain a “baseline” of sorts, and condition your body for fertility.
Think of it this way – if you haven’t been exercising regularly for a decade or so, you wouldn’t dream of signing up for a marathon and giving yourself one month to prep and get back into shape. The same applies for getting pregnant – you need to maintain an adequate level of fitness throughout the years, in order to maximize your chances of conceiving.
Consuming the right food
The last factor that plays a huge role in influencing fertility is diet – but this is easier to work on than lowering stress levels, and exercising regularly. A few guidelines to follow: go for plant based protein such as tofu and nuts instead of animal based protein, consume more full-fat milk, and cut out fast food and junk food from your diet.
Where a fertility coach comes in
“It’s easy to understand the theory behind boosting fertility,” says Marie, “but the bulk of my work lies in helping my couples stay on track throughout the entire journey.”
“Many of my clients need regular check-ins with me – that’s the only way they’ll feel motivated to make and sustain a change in the habits which may be ingrained in them. As a fertility coach, I’m there to guide them through the process, help them out with any challenges they may face, and most importantly, keep them accountable.”
Free 45 minute fertility consultation
If you and your partner would like to learn more about increasing fertility levels, Be Natural is offering a free 45 minute consultation with Marie. In this session, Marie will seek to understand the couple’s situation, and offer insights she’s gained through her 10 years of experience in working with infertile Singaporeans. Slots are limited and on a first come first serve basis; contact us here to schedule an appointment!
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