Preconception Tips

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You can maximise your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and labour if you're fit and healthy to begin with.

If you're super-prepared, you and your partner can make these changes some time before you start trying for a baby. This way you'll ensure you've had enough time to get in a routine and have an effect on your health.

You may feel you're ready to start trying for a baby immediately. Exceptions to this might be:

If you need genetic counselling and the time to think about your discussions
If either you or your partner are on long-term medication and need advice on its effect on pregnancy or conception (this might be the case for a woman if she has diabetes or epilepsy)

Bear in mind most couples don't conceive straight away; it's normal for a few months to go by with no sign of pregnancy.

Men

Give up smoking. Smoking can reduce fertility, and partners of men who smoke have a reduced chance of conceiving too. Fathers who smoke also affect the health of their babies, before and after the birth. The risk of respiratory problems and cot death increases, for example.

Ease off the booze. Heavy drinking may affect sperm quality and make a successful pregnancy less likely.

Keep stress to a minimum. It can cause hormonal changes in the body, which can lead to fertility problems.

Keep cool. Sperm is made at slightly below body temperature, so don't spend too long in warm baths and wear boxer shorts to improve circulation around the testicles.

Eat well. A healthy diet and regular exercise will reduce stress and increase your overall fitness, and they're good ways of showing support for your partner, too.

Women

Look at your weight. Not being overweight helps conception and makes pregnancy more comfortable. A carefully monitored weight-loss diet can be safe during pregnancy and is sometimes advised for women who are seriously overweight, but always check with your doctor.

Being underweight can make you less fertile, while being overweight puts you at greater risk of complications such as high blood pressure and diabetes during pregnancy.

Quit smoking. Smoking in pregnancy raises the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth and low birth weight. It has effects into toddlerhood and childhood, too, mainly by increasing the risk of respiratory illness.

Stop drinking. Government advice is that women trying to conceive should avoid alcohol completely.

Take a folic acid supplement. Folic acid - sometimes called folate - is an important B vitamin that's been shown to prevent neural tube defects (NTD) such as spina bifida. It's recommended that you start taking a supplement before you start trying to conceive, as NTDs occur in early pregnancy. The recommended dose is 400mcg a day.

Folic acid is also found in dark green vegetables, oranges, wholewheat breads and breakfast cereals.

Have sex

It may sound obvious, but regular sex increases your chance of getting pregnant. Work out your most fertile time and ensure you make love every day around those dates.

Women mostly ovulate once during each cycle, and the most likely time for conception is 14 days before your next menstrual period is due.

Also check your vaginal discharge - it will have a stretchy consistency when you're at your most fertile.

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