Getting ready for pregnancy
Some people get pregnant the instant they start trying; others take a little while or need medical help. Here are some simple tips to enhance your chances of conception, and some ways to avoid getting disheartened if it doesn’t happen straight away.
According to the baby health charity the March of Dimes, women under 25 stand a 20-25% chance of conception occurring in each menstrual cycle. At 35 a woman's chances of conceiving drop to 15% during each cycle; and by the age of 40 a woman's chances of conceiving during each cycle drop to 5%.
In other words, assuming you and your partner are in good health and are actively trying to get pregnant, women under 25 will ‘normally’ conceive within four to five months, whereas at 35 it’ll take up to seven months. Women over the age of 40 may take up to 20 months to conceive. But don't fret – as with all statistics, these numbers are based on a snapshot of the overall population. There are always exceptions. Furthermore, with the advancements in medicine today there are many options for couples who are struggling to conceive. These figures should give you something to begin with – so what do you do now?
Stop using contraception
If you’re still taking the pill or other similar form of contraception, seek medical advice on when you should stop taking it. Most doctors recommend you finish the course of pills you’re on, then use condoms or a diaphragm for a couple of months until your fertility levels are back to normal.
Keep fit and healthy
While you’re trying to get pregnant, eat a healthy diet consisting of plenty of fruit and vegetables, cereals and whole grains. Make sure you eat regular meals and try to avoid sugary snacks, soft drinks and junk food. This isn’t just for you, but for your baby – so be realistic about planning a diet that you can keep up throughout pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond!
Losing excess weight could also enhance your chances of conception. Visit your physician to find out what your ideal body weight should be, then watch what you eat accordingly. Gentle, regular exercise can really help your body to become receptive to pregnancy and make it easier for you to manage stress levels while you’re trying to conceive. Who knows, losing a bit of weight could make you feel just that extra bit sexy, too!
Cut down on caffeine and alcohol, as it is suggested that too much of either of these can limit your chances of conceiving. High levels of caffeine have also been linked to miscarriage.
If you or your partner smokes, get some advice from your physician and give up now. By avoiding situations where you would usually have a cigarette together, or just by deciding to smoke outside, you could make it easier on yourselves to quit altogether. The National Network of Tobacco Cessation Quitline offers a toll free number, 
1-800-QUITNOW
, that routes you directly to a hotline in your state. And the American Cancer Society manages a toll free number set up specifically for pregnant smokers: 1-866-66-START.
Tune into your cycle!
Start making a note of the dates of your menstrual period in your diary or a calendar. If you’re on a regular 28 day menstrual cycle, you’ll probably be most fertile around day 13 or 14, just after you ovulate (with day one being the first day of your period).
Other ways to chart your fertile phase are to chart your basal body temperature, by the position of your cervix and the consistency of your cervical mucus.
Make time to relax with your partner, but, once you know your cycle, have more sex around your fertile days.
Don’t give in to despondency
Anyone who has tried for a baby will know that waiting to conceive can be incredibly stressful. Try to relax – research suggests you’re more likely to conceive if you’re not tense. Try not to pull your hair out waiting for your period, and make a huge effort not to be miserable when it comes.
When to seek medical help with conception is up to you. Most physicians would like to see both partners initially, just to check your general health, but then to monitor your fertility problems. Check out our Supernanny advice on fertility problems too.