By Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee / Freelance Journalist
Dr. Samuel Gyedu Owusu, a medical doctor at the LEKMA Hospital in Accra, has offered some tips on boosting the chances of conceiving in women, especially those struggling with infertility.
He was speaking in an exclusive interview with Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee, a journalist and gender advocate, on the subject of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a medical condition that causes infertility in women and that makes them subject of infertility stigma.
Dr. Owusu underscored the need for women trying to conceive to undergo lifestyle modifications such as discarding some food choices from their diet, getting rid of some bad habits, and staying healthy and positive.
Food choices and lifestyle modifications
According to the medical doctor, women suffering from PCOS, as women trying to conceive in general should eat more whole grain foods because they contain the fiber, vitamins, minerals, iron, selenium, magnesium, and other essential nutrients the body needs for successful conception.
Examples of whole-grain foods include millet, brown rice, oatmeal, corn, and wheat, just to mention a few.
He added that such women should avoid junk and processed foods and rather add a good portion of fruits and vegetables to their daily meals while avoiding sugar completely.
On lifestyle modification, Dr. Gyedu Owusu urged women suffering from PCOS to avoid alcoholism and smoking, and urged those who have these habits to quit.
“At this point, exercise is recommended if you want to increase your chances of getting pregnant as a woman living with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Yoga is very good. Swimming is beneficial,” he listed.
Hope for PCOS condition
The medical doctor disclosed that there is hope for women suffering this condition to overcome and have their own children if they would visit the hospital to receive the needed health attention.
He noted that though PCOS cannot be cured, it can be managed for good results through medical procedures such as induced ovulation, and stimulation of periodic bleeding.
Touching on infertility in general, Dr. Owusu encouraged women suffering from the condition to do all tests, including thyroid required to ascertain what could be hampering their chances.
Watch Dr. Gyedu Owusu speak here:
Condemning infertility stigma
Meanwhile, Dr. Gyedu Owusu also condemned infertility stigma against women. He described it as a wicked act in a modern world.
The doctor shares his experience with women who have decided not to have children, or, do not have the baby-making mentality, stressing that it is cruel and unfair to stigmatise such women for not having babies.
He noted that pregnancy is not an easy journey that takes full preparedness of the mind and the woman’s body, therefore, no woman must be pressured into taking that course if they are not ready.
The doctor also called on society to be kind and support women trying to have children with the needed resources rather than stigmatising them.
