Beli Prenatals are HSA/FSA eligible!

Thinking Baby in 2023? Start With These 6 Resolutions

Christmas is officially a wrap and we’re this close to a shiny new year, which means many of us are thinking of all the things we want to do or be or accomplish in 2023. Yes, it’s resolution-making time, and a lot of folks have babies on the brain. We got you! We double checked with the experts for the best ways to support and promote fertility for the very best chances of a healthy conception, pregnancy, and bouncing baby. Read on for six resolutions to make if you want a baby in 2023.

1. Start Every Day with a Protein-Rich Breakfast *Before* Your Coffee

We’ve covered the importance of including protein in your morning meal before, but the quick and dirty explanation is that it sets you up for balanced blood sugar all day. Research is clear that women with diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates (which break down as simple sugars) have a greater risk of ovulatory infertility and lower pregnancy rates among those undergoing fertility treatments. For men, lots of sugar and simple carbs lower testosterone levels and negatively affect sperm concentration and motility.

Here’s the thing – if you routinely rely on a cup of joe to jumpstart your morning and it’s the very first thing you get into your belly, you need to switch things up. Blood sugar control is impaired when you start with coffee, so 2023 will be all about protein first, coffee second.

2. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.

Drinking more water is a pretty typical New Year’s resolution, which makes sense, since a lot of folks are chronically dehydrated. That’s a problem for multiple reasons, and particularly when it comes to fertility. Poor hydration can affect egg health and cervical mucus secretion in women, and sperm quality and quantity in men. Dehydration as a whole is a stressor on the body and specifically the circulatory system, which means less-than-optimal fertility.

Start sipping water in the morning and keep it up all day. Look for hydration packs that deliver key electrolytes and minerals (and minimal sugar), and invest in a reusable water bottle that you can take with you wherever you go. You’ll be surprised at the difference proper hydration makes!

3. Pop a High-Quality Prenatal Vitamin. Every. Single. Day.

beli-prenatal-vitamins-men-and-women

Experts advise couples to start taking prenatal vitamins three to six months before they hope to conceive. While the things we eat and drinks should ideally be the source of all the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants we need, that isn’t the case when you are trying to conceive. Let’s face it, certain vitamins such as choline and folate are difficult to get from diet alone. That is where a high quality prenatal vitamin comes in. Science makes it clear that specific nutrients in right amounts are important for supporting fertility and overall health in women and in men. Making a high-quality prenatal vitamin part of your daily routine (yes, both of you – men benefit from prenatal vitamins too!) is a great first step in preparing your body for baby.

Our pick for the best prenatal vitamin when TTC? Beli for Men and Beli for Women, of course! These science-aligned formulas with bioavailable forms of all the vitamins and minerals you both need to support fertility health. Beli for Women is one of very few prenatals on the market meeting current recommendations for choline, folate, iodine, magnesium, and vitamin D, and it’s specifically formulated to support you through all five stages of pregnancy – from conception to post-natal. Our men’s formula is one of the very first designed specifically for men, and our proprietary Vitality blend continues to set it well apart from other options in the market. These ingredients are science backed to optimize male fertility by supporting and promoting all parameters of sperm healthy, including motility, morphology, concentration, and more.

4. Minimize your Exposure to Toxins

Toxins are ubiquitous in our environment – they’re in everything from cosmetics and hygiene products to cleaning products and conventionally-grown foods. And they’re bad news for your fertility, not to mention a growing baby. It takes a little thought and effort, but you can minimize your exposure to common endocrine-disrupting chemicals:

  • Skip the synthetic fragrance (that means opting for clean candles and scenting your home with pure essential oils!)
  • Opt for glass or stainless steel containers over plastic and if you can’t avoid plastic entirely, always make it BPA free
  • Avoid parabens, phthalates, sulfates, formaldehyde, and triclosan in any personal care products

Make a point of buying non-toxic household cleaners and if you can go organic, do it! Reaching for fresh foods over canned will also minimize toxin exposure. And don’t stress about making a clean sweep (ha!) all at once – just make mindful changes one at a time to begin limiting your exposure and creating a cleaner environment.

5. Prioritize Sleep

Sleep is a common sacrifice when life gets busy. But messing with your circadian rhythm is messing with your hormonal homeostasis, and that’s not what you want if you’re trying for a baby. Make 2023 the year you get 7 to 9 hours a night consistently!

6. Manage Stress with a Consistent Exercise Plan (And Follow Through)

Surprise – healthy reproductive function is closely tied to your health as a whole. And exercise is an unavoidable part of staying healthy and strong. That makes this resolution one of those handy twofers. But if you need a little research to really drive this home, check out this study that finds ovulatory infertility can be avoided with regular moderate exercise. In men, exercises like weight lifting and running are linked to higher sperm concentrations, but movement in general can help reduce inflammation and support better sperm function.

The thing about exercise isn’t just its impact on your health – it’s how it affects your stress levels. Stress is a fertility killer, and regular exercise is a stress buster. See what’s happening there? Research shows a significant increase in pregnancy rates when stress is effectively mitigated, and you don’t have to start CrossFit to benefit. Just keep it consistent, whatever form of fitness you choose.

The Bottom Line

If you’re reading this list and thinking it reads like a pretty typical resolution round-up, well, you’re not wrong! But remember, all the things that keep you healthy and nourished in general also directly support your fertility. So if the goal is a baby in 2023, these resolutions are the ones worth making.

Additional Resources

PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant. Supplementing with ingredients proven to support women with PCOS can help increase your chances, and so can speaking with your doctor and dietician.

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The role of a prenatal vitamin is to support the healthy growth and development of growing babies, and minimizing the risk of birth defects is front and center. But can your prenatal vitamins really reduce the risk of birth defects? Absolutely!

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You think you know, but when it comes to male fertility and sperm health specifically, you probably have no idea. Here at Beli, we’ve had an education-first approach to male fertility since day one and today we’re breaking down fact from fiction, sperm edition. Let’s see how you do!

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Between responsibilities at home and at work, commitments that just keep piling up, and a mile-long to-do list, sex may be on your mind, but only in a vague, wouldn’t-that-be-nice kind of way. It's normal! But men hoping to become fathers might be stressing that a waning sex drive is signaling a problem with their fertility (spoiler: not necessarily). Still, it’s true that a man’s fertility and his libido are linked, so let’s hop into all the details, including 4 ways to rev up that sex drive.

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Knowing all the facts about sperm doesn’t just make you positively lethal on trivia night, it actually puts you in prime position to optimize your chances of a healthy conception, pregnancy and baby. So let’s get to it, with these 10 facts about sperm that will (probably) blow your mind.

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Shilajit is finally getting the credit it’s due, and we’re proud to point out that our proprietary formula was the very first to include this powerful Ayurvedic compound. Here’s why shilajit is rapidly becoming the darling of the male fertility world–and what you’re missing if you’re skipping it.

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Beli for Women has all the current nutrient recommendations for prenatal vitamins, including choline, vitamin D, folate, magnesium, and iodine. All the right ingredients, in all the right amounts. But it does beg the question, how exactly does Beli fit everything into just three capsules?

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Supplementing with key nutrients in the right amounts not only improves sperm health — think sperm count and sperm motility — it also means optimal fertility health for men in general. And that means the best chance of a healthy conception, pregnancy, and baby. 

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Special thanks to Becca, a fertility dietitian at Little Life Nutrition, for today's post! Becca is passionate about helping moms and dads-to-be uncover the root cause of fertility challenges, using nutrition, lifestyle, and functional lab testing to optimize her clients' chance of getting pregnant — a true "no-stone-left-unturned" approach. Here, she shares five ways to boost fertility naturally.

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The role of a prenatal vitamin is to support the healthy growth and development of growing babies, and minimizing the risk of birth defects is front and center. But can your prenatal vitamins really reduce the risk of birth defects? Absolutely!

Read More

You think you know, but when it comes to male fertility and sperm health specifically, you probably have no idea. Here at Beli, we’ve had an education-first approach to male fertility since day one and today we’re breaking down fact from fiction, sperm edition. Let’s see how you do!

Read More

Between responsibilities at home and at work, commitments that just keep piling up, and a mile-long to-do list, sex may be on your mind, but only in a vague, wouldn’t-that-be-nice kind of way. It's normal! But men hoping to become fathers might be stressing that a waning sex drive is signaling a problem with their fertility (spoiler: not necessarily). Still, it’s true that a man’s fertility and his libido are linked, so let’s hop into all the details, including 4 ways to rev up that sex drive.

Read More

Medical science tells it like it is–a man’s health and his fertility are undeniably linked. But what role do genetics play in the fertility factor? It's a good question! In today's post, we're taking a deep dive into exactly how genetics affect male fertility.

Read More

Time and time again, men are an afterthought in the fertility conversation, and it’s setting couples up to fail. In light of recent research confirming–again–that sperm counts around the world are indeed declining, Beli wants to lead the charge. Join us, and let’s make March men’s fertility awareness month.

Read More

Knowing all the facts about sperm doesn’t just make you positively lethal on trivia night, it actually puts you in prime position to optimize your chances of a healthy conception, pregnancy and baby. So let’s get to it, with these 10 facts about sperm that will (probably) blow your mind.

Read More

Shilajit is finally getting the credit it’s due, and we’re proud to point out that our proprietary formula was the very first to include this powerful Ayurvedic compound. Here’s why shilajit is rapidly becoming the darling of the male fertility world–and what you’re missing if you’re skipping it.

Read More

Research shows that the overall health of both biological parents during the preconception window plays a huge role in everything from conception to pregnancy health to the lifetime health of their baby. Luckily, there are simple steps you can both take to improve your health together.

Read More

Supplementing with key nutrients in the right amounts not only improves sperm health — think sperm count and sperm motility — it also means optimal fertility health for men in general. And that means the best chance of a healthy conception, pregnancy, and baby. 

Read More

Special thanks to Becca, a fertility dietitian at Little Life Nutrition, for today's post! Becca is passionate about helping moms and dads-to-be uncover the root cause of fertility challenges, using nutrition, lifestyle, and functional lab testing to optimize her clients' chance of getting pregnant — a true "no-stone-left-unturned" approach. Here, she shares five ways to boost fertility naturally.

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PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant. Supplementing with ingredients proven to support women with PCOS can help increase your chances, and so can speaking with your doctor and dietician.

Read More

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The role of a prenatal vitamin is to support the healthy growth and development of growing babies, and minimizing the risk of birth defects is front and center. But can your prenatal vitamins really reduce the risk of birth defects? Absolutely!

Read More

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Read More

Beli for Women has all the current nutrient recommendations for prenatal vitamins, including choline, vitamin D, folate, magnesium, and iodine. All the right ingredients, in all the right amounts. But it does beg the question, how exactly does Beli fit everything into just three capsules?

Read More

The second you start looking into fertility testing, the acronyms are everywhere. Chief among them is AMH, or anti-müllerian hormone. Here’s what to understand about your AMH level and what it means for your chances of becoming pregnant.

Read More

Research shows that the overall health of both biological parents during the preconception window plays a huge role in everything from conception to pregnancy health to the lifetime health of their baby. Luckily, there are simple steps you can both take to improve your health together.

Read More

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Special thanks to Becca, a fertility dietitian at Little Life Nutrition, for today's post! Becca is passionate about helping moms and dads-to-be uncover the root cause of fertility challenges, using nutrition, lifestyle, and functional lab testing to optimize her clients' chance of getting pregnant — a true "no-stone-left-unturned" approach. Here, she shares five ways to boost fertility naturally.

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