When to have a baby?

A pregnancy should be planned whenever a married couple wants to begin a family. Sometimes with today?s hectic life style and high ambitions, the planning of a pregnancy may be delayed significantly. A pregnancy or child may not go well with education, a career option or an opportunity to travel or migrate abroad. Many a times because of these uncertainties a pregnancy is delayed for many years after marriage. Medically speaking the best age for women to have children is between 20 ? 25years.Most of the times no problems are expected up to 30 years of age. Fertility starts declining after the age of 30 years and quite rapidly after the age of 35years. Hardly any pregnancies are reported after 40years of age without assisted conception.

Is medical check up before pregnancy a must?

A young woman in general good health may not need a medical check up. However it would be good to have certain blood tests done before pregnancy and correct any problem if detected. Anemia, lack of oxygen carrying capacity of blood is a very common problem in young women and all pregnancies should begin with a normal maternal (hemoglobin) Hb. Other tests include a complete urine examination, a random blood sugar test, blood group and screening for sexually transmitted diseases.

All women should be vaccinated against tetanus, hepatitis and rubella in childhood itself. Rubella vaccine should be taken at least 3 months before pregnancy if already not taken as part of MMR in childhood. Rubella infection (a mild flue like disease) if occurs during pregnancy can lead to malformation in the baby. This can be prevented by taking rubella vaccine before pregnancy. Vaccination against hepatitis and tetanus prevent transmission of these diseases during child birth.


Exercise

There is no problem in carrying out regular exercise, gym, yoga or sports while trying to conceive. These activities do not interfere with chances of conception or lead to early abortions. Light activity can even be continued during early pregnancy also but vigorous exercise should be avoided after missing the menses.
Supplements

Daily Folic acid (5 mg) supplements taken 3 month before pregnancy reduces the chances of neural tube defects in the baby. During pregnancy iron and calcium will also be required.
Best period to conceive

The normal menstrual cycle is of 28 ? 30 days. Ovulation or release of egg in women occurs between days 12 ? 14. Thus the best period to conceive is in the middle of cycle. In irregular cycles it is not possible to predict the day of ovulation. In one cycle the chances of conception are 20% - 30%. A normal fertile couple may take one year to conceive. So do not start worrying too early.

A pregnancy is the most wonderful experience of life and you should enjoy it to the fullest.

Planning a pregnancy? Things to do before you conceive

Planning a pregnancy? Things to do before you conceive

Most women know they need to care for their health during pregnancy - but did
you know you can protect the health of your baby before you conceive? Eating the
right food before - as well as during - pregnancy, for instance, can help prevent
some birth defects. So can making sure you’re immune to rubella (German measles),
a common disease which can cause serious problems to unborn babies. If
you use tobacco, alcohol or other non-prescription drugs, give them up when
you’re planning to conceive rather than wait until you’re certain you’re pregnant.
By that time the baby may be six weeks old or more - time enough to have been
exposed to these drugs.


What you should know about rubella (German measles)

Rubella is an infectious disease which can cause serious birth defects in unborn
babies if the mother becomes infected. Around 90 per cent of babies whose mothers
contract rubella during the first eight to ten weeks of pregnancy will be seriously
affected. The baby’s hearing, sight and brain can be harmed, and the risk of
miscarriage and stillbirth is increased.

Making sure you’re immune to rubella before you become pregnant is really important.
A simple blood test can tell if you have immunity. If you don’t, you can be immunised
against the disease - but this must be done before pregnancy. If you’re a
woman of childbearing age and you haven’t been immunised yet, please ask your
doctor for the vaccine well before you consider becoming pregnant. When you
have your baby, it is recommended that you arrange for the baby to be immunised
for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) at 12 months. This is followed by a second
injection of MMR at the age of four.

What you should know about whooping cough

Whooping cough is a highly infectious disease spread by coughing or sneezing.
Epidemics occur every three to four years and babies can become infected and
die before they are old enough to be vaccinated (at 8 weeks of age). It is important
that you and your husband are vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping
cough well before you consider becoming pregnant. Please ask your doctor for
an adult whooping cough vaccine (Boostrix).

Good food for a healthy pregnancy

Are you eating plenty of leafy green vegetables, oranges, orange juice (especially
freshly squeezed juice), wholegrain breads, rice, pasta or other cereals, and
cooked dried peas, beans or lentils? Bananas and nuts are also good. These all
contain an important B vitamin for women called folate. Doctors now know that
lack of this vitamin contributes to serious birth defects called neural tube defects
which, each year, affect thousands of babies worldwide. Lack of folate is thought
to affect the baby’s development, causing serious (sometimes fatal) brain and
spine problems. Any woman planning a pregnancy should eat folate-rich foods
and take a 0.5mg folic acid tablet daily for at least one month before pregnancy,

Time to conceive a baby

Are we ready for a baby yet? When is the best time to make a baby? Is my diet okay for my baby-to-be? Am I exercising enough…? mothersbliss™ has answers to all your concerns!
The pregnancy planning part of our site is organised into four sections: Contraception; Conception; Failure to conceive; and Health issues. Each section has a vast amount of information enabling you to make informed decisions when planning your family.
An important part of planning a baby is knowing what to do and when to do it. We can help you with your goal to get pregnant with our pre-pregnancy checklist.

Contraception

When is the right time to come off contraception and how will it affect me and my baby? What happens if I become pregnant whilst taking contraception and have an unplanned pregnancy? How does the pill affect male fertility and our ability to conceive in later generations?
Conception

The miracle of birth starts at conception, nature has created a series of events that are fully explained in these pages. Starting with the release of your egg: ovulation, then fertilisation, and completing the cycle with the embedding of the egg in your womb. Discover how you can influence the sex of your baby, and the importance of folic acid in the reduction of risk

Failure to conceive

There may be a number of reasons causing difficulty or failure to conceive, including: low sperm count; age issues; stress and others.
There is even hope for women who have cervical cancer being able to conceive.
Your health
Your health is an important factor not only during pregnancy but prior to conception as well. This section provides advice and tips on: your diet; Smoking and Drinking; exercise; stress

What to Eat While Pregnant

What you eat right before and during your pregnancy can affect the health of your growing baby. Even before you start trying to get pregnant, you should take special care of your health. Eat healthy meals and snacks and take a multivitamin every day. If you're unsure about eating healthy during pregnancy, talk to your doctor.

Do I really need to "eat for two?"

While you are pregnant, you will need additional nutrients to keep you and your baby healthy. But, that does not mean you need to eat twice as much. You should only eat an extra 300 calories per day. A baked potato has 120 calories. So getting these extra 300 calories doesn't take a lot of food.

Make sure not to restrict your diet during pregnancy either. If you do, your unborn baby might not get the right amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Low-calorie diets can break down a pregnant woman's stored fat. This can lead to the production of substances called ketones. Ketones can be found in the mother's blood and urine and are a sign of starvation. Constant production of ketones can result in a mentally retarded child.

How should my diet change now that I'm pregnant?

If you are eating a healthy diet before you become pregnant, you may only need to make a few changes to meet the special nutritional needs of pregnancy. According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), a pregnant woman needs only 300 calories a day more than she did pre-pregnancy. The ADA recommends that pregnant women eat a total of 2,500 to 2,700 calories every day. These calories should come from a variety of healthy foods.

But what pregnant women eat is more important than how much. A pregnant woman needs more of many important vitamins, minerals and nutrients than she did pre-pregnancy. To get enough nutrients, pregnant women should take a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin and eat healthy foods from the four basic food groups everyday including:

Fruits and Vegetables — Pregnant women should try to eat 7 or more servings of fruits and vegetables combined (for example: 3 servings of fruit and 4 of vegetables) daily.

Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Fruits and vegetables with vitamin C help you and your baby to have healthy gums and other tissues. Vitamin C also helps your body to heal wounds and to absorb iron. Examples of fruits and vegetables with vitamin C include strawberries, melons, oranges, papaya, tomatoes, peppers, greens, cabbage, and broccoli. Fruits and vegetables also add fiber and minerals to your diet and give you energy. Plus, dark green vegetables have vitamin A, iron, and folate, which are important nutrients during pregnancy.

One Serving Fruit = 1 medium apple, 1 medium banana, 1/2 cup of chopped fruit, 3/4 cup of fruit juice One Serving Vegetable = 1 cup raw leafy vegetables, 1/2 cup of other vegetables (raw or cooked), 3/4 cup vegetable juice

Whole-grains or Enriched Breads/Cereals — Pregnant women should eat 6 to 9 servings of whole-grain or enriched breads and/or cereals every day.

Whole-grain products and enriched products like bread, rice, pasta, and breakfast cereals contain iron, B vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Some breakfast cereals are enriched with 100% of the folic acid your body needs every day. Folic acid has been shown to help prevent some serious birth defects. Eating breakfast cereals and other enriched grain products that contain folic acid is important before and during pregnancy.

One Serving Cereal/Bread = 1 slice bread, 1/2 cup of cooked cereal, rice, or pasta, 1 cup ready-to-eat cereal
Dairy Products — Pregnant women should try to eat 4 or more servings of low-fat or non-fat milk, yogurt, cheese or other dairy products every day.
Dairy products provide the calcium you and your baby need for strong bones and teeth. Dairy products are also great sources of vitamin A and D, protein, and B vitamins. Vitamin A helps growth, fight infection, and vision. Pregnant women need 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium each day. If you are 18 or younger, you need 1,300 mg of calcium each day.
Try to eat low-fat or non-fat milk and milk products to lower your fat intake. Other sources of calcium include dark green leafy vegetables, dried beans and peas, nuts and seeds, and tofu. If you are lactose intolerant or can't digest dairy products, you can still get enough calcium. There are several low-lactose or reduced-lactose products available. In some cases, your doctor might recommend a calcium supplement.

One Serving Dairy = 1 cup of milk or yogurt, 1 1/2 oz. natural cheese, 2 oz. processed cheese
Proteins — Pregnant women and their growing babies need 10 grams of protein more than non-pregnant women. Pregnant women should eat 60 grams of protein every day.
Two or more 2-3 ounce servings of cooked lean meat, fish, or poultry without skin, or two or more 1 ounce servings of cooked meat contain about 60 grams of protein. Eggs, nuts, dried beans, and peas also are good sources of protein. But don't rush out and buy high protein drinks! Women in the United States regularly eat more protein than they need. So you probably won't have to make an effort to eat the needed 60 grams of protein a day.
These can make you sick and may harm your baby. Pregnant women should also avoid deli luncheon meats.
Protein builds muscle, tissue, enzymes, hormones, and antibodies for you and your baby. Protein-rich foods also have B vitamins and iron important for your blood.
One Serving Protein = 2-3oz. of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish, 1 oz. meat also = 1/2 cup cooked dried beans, 1 egg, 1/2 cup tofu, 1/3 cup nuts, 2 T. peanut butter
What other nutrients do I need for a healthy pregnancy?
Folic acid: Pregnant women need 400 micrograms (400 mcg) of folic acid every day to help prevent birth defects.
Folic acid is important for any woman who could possibly become pregnant. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps prevent serious birth defects of a baby's brain or spine called neural tube defects. Getting enough folic acid can also help prevent birth defects like cleft lip and congenital heart disease.

folic acid is most important very early in pregnancy, usually before a woman knows she is pregnant. So, at least one month before you try to become pregnant you should make sure you're getting enough folic acid. Women who are already pregnant need to get enough folic acid every single day.

An easy way to get enough folic acid is to take a multivitamin every day. Most multivitamins sold in the U.S. contain enough folic acid for the day. But be sure to check the label! Choose a multivitamin that contains 400 mcg or 100% of the Daily Value (DV) for folic acid.
Another way to get enough folic acid is to eat a serving of breakfast cereal that contains 100% DV for folic acid, every day. Check the nutrition label on the box of cereal to be sure. It should say "100%" next to folic acid. Orange juice, spinach and legumes are also good sources of folic acid.
Iron: Pregnant women need twice as much iron — 30 mg per day — than other women.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant women start taking a low-dose iron supplement (30 mg/day) or a multivitamin with iron beginning at the time of their first prenatal visit. Ask your doctor what she recommends. Prenatal vitamins prescribed by your doctor or those you can buy over-the-counter usually have the amount of iron you need. But be sure to check the label to make sure. Pregnant women should also eat lots of iron-rich foods. Some good sources of iron include lean red meat, fish, poultry, dried fruits, whole-grain breads, and iron-fortified cereals.
Pregnant women need extra iron for the increased amount of blood in their bodies. Iron helps keep your blood healthy. Plus, your baby will store iron in his body to last through the first few months of life.
Too little iron can cause a condition called anemia. If you have anemia, you might look pale and feel very tired. Your doctor checks for signs of anemia with the routine blood tests taken at different stages of your pregnancy. If your doctor finds that you have anemia, she will give you a special iron supplements to take once or twice a day.
Calcium: Pregnant women aged 19 to 50 years should get 1,000 mg/day of calcium. Younger pregnant women need even more — 1300 mg/day.
Most women in the U.S. don't eat enough calcium. So many pregnant women will have to change their diets to get their fill of this important mineral. Low-fat or non-fat milk, yogurt, cheese or other dairy products are great sources of calcium. Eating green leafy vegetables and calcium-fortified foods like orange juice and breakfast cereal can also provide calcium. If your diet is not providing 1,000 mg/day of calcium, talk to your doctor about taking a calcium supplement.
Water: Pregnant women should drink at least six eight-ounce glasses of water per day. Plus, pregnant women should drink another glass of water for each hour of activity.
Water plays a key role in your diet during pregnancy. It carries the nutrients from the food you eat to your baby. It also helps prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, excessive swelling, and urinary tract or bladder infections. Drinking enough water, especially in your last trimester, prevents you from becoming dehydrated. Not getting enough water can lead to premature or early labor.
Juices also contain water. But juice also has a lot of calories that can cause you to gain extra weight. Coffee, soft drinks, and teas with caffeine actually reduce the amount of fluid in your body. So caffeinated drinks do not count towards the total amount of water you need every day.
Should I take a multivitamin during my pregnancy?
Yes. Most doctors recommend that pregnant women or those trying to get pregnant take a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin every day. This ensures that you and your baby get enough important nutrients like folic acid. Folic acid helps prevent serious birth defects of your baby's brain and spine. These birth defects often happen before most women know they are pregnant.
Even women who plan carefully to eat healthy every day sometimes fail to get important nutrients. Taking a daily multivitamin or prenatal vitamin will guarantee you daily dose of needed nutrients. But don't overdo it. Taking more than one multivitamin daily can be harmful.
Should I eat fish when I'm pregnant?
Fish and shellfish can be part of a healthy diet. They are a great source of protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. But almost all fish and shellfish contain a harmful substance called mercury.
Mercury mainly gets into our bodies by the fish we eat. Only high levels of this metal seem to be harmful to developing babies. So the risk of mercury in fish and shellfish depends on the amount and type you eat.
By following some tips you can get the healthy protein and omega-3 fatty acids in fish and avoid mercury. Use these guidelines:
Do NOT eat any shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish (also called golden or white snapper) because these fish have high levels of mercury.
Do not eat more than six ounces of "white" or "albacore" tuna or tuna steak each week.
Do not eat more than 2 servings or 12 ounces total of fish per week.
Choose shrimp, salmon, pollock, catfish, or "light" tuna as they contain less mercury.
And visit the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition for more INFORMATION

How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends an average weight gain of 25 to 30 pounds during pregnancy. But the amount of weight you should gain depends on your weight before you became pregnant and your height.

According to ACOG:

If you were underweight before becoming pregnant, you should gain between 28 and 40 pounds.
If you were overweight before becoming pregnant, you should gain between 15 and 25 pounds.
Check with your doctor to find out how much weight gain during pregnancy is healthy for you.
You should gain weight gradually during your pregnancy, with most of the weight gained in the last trimester. Doctors suggest women gain weight at the following rate:
2 to 4 pounds during the first trimester

3 to 4 pounds per month for the second and third trimesters

Recent research shows that women who gain more than the recommended amount during pregnancy and who fail to lose this weight within six months after giving birth are at much higher risk of being obese nearly 10 years later.

Total weight gained during pregnancy includes six to eight pounds for the weight of the baby. The remaining weight consists of fluid, larger breasts, larger uterus, amniotic fluid, and the placenta. Make sure to visit your doctor throughout your pregnancy so he or she can check on your weight gain.

Is it hard to lose weight after pregnancy?

If you gain too much weight during pregnancy it can be hard to lose weight after you have your baby. During pregnancy, fat deposits can increase by more than 33 percent. Most women who gain the recommended amount of weight lose the extra weight in the birth process and in the weeks and months after birth. Breastfeeding also can help you lose extra weight by burning extra calories. Breastfeeding burns at least 500 calories each day.

Should I avoid alcohol while I'm pregnant?

There is no safe time during pregnancy for you to drink alcohol. There is also no known safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy. When you are pregnant and you drink beer, wine, hard liquor, or other alcoholic beverages, alcohol gets into your blood. The alcohol in your blood gets into your baby's body through the umbilical cord. Alcohol can slow down the baby's growth, affect the baby's brain, and cause birth defects.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is a term describing a range of effects that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. Some people with FASD have abnormal facial features and growth and central nervous system problems. People with FASD may have problems with learning, memory, attention span, communication, vision, and/or hearing. These problems often lead to problems in school and social problems. The effects of FASD last a lifetime.
If you are pregnant and have been drinking alcohol, stop now and talk to your doctor. Avoiding alcohol will help keep your baby healthy. If you need help to stop drinking, talk with your doctor or nurse. Find out more about the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
Can I drink caffeine while I'm pregnant?
Caffeine is a stimulant found in colas, coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, and some over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Large quantities of caffeine can cause irritability, nervousness and insomnia as well as low birth-weight babies. Caffeine is also a diuretic and can rob your body of valuable water.
Some studies show that drinking caffeine during pregnancy can harm the fetus. Other research suggests that small amounts of caffeine are safe. Talk to your doctor before drinking caffeine during pregnancy. Caffeine is an ingredient in many over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Talk with your doctor before taking any drugs or medicines while pregnant.
Why do pregnant women crave certain foods?
The desire for "pickles and ice cream" and other cravings might be caused by changes in nutritional needs during pregnancy. The fetus needs nourishment. And a woman's body absorbs and metabolizes nutrients differently while pregnant. These changes help ensure normal development of the baby and fill the demands of breastfeeding once the baby is born.
I have diabetes. How should I eat while pregnant?
If you already have diabetes and would like to get pregnant, your chances of having a healthy baby are good. But, it's important to plan your pregnancy and follow these steps:
Get your diabetes under control before you get pregnant. Try to get your blood sugar under control three to six months before you get pregnant.
Always keep your blood sugar under control during your pregnancy. Keep food, exercise, and insulin in balance. Talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian to help you follow a special meal plan. Remember, as your baby grows, your body changes, and these changes will affect your sugar levels. If your blood sugar rises too high, the increased sugar crossing into the placenta can result in a large, over-developed fetus with birth defects or an infant with blood sugar level problems.
Be sure to get enough of the B vitamin folic acid, every day. Women with diabetes might be at increased risk for having a baby with a serious birth defect. Getting enough folic acid each day can help reduce this risk.
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that begins during pregnancy and usually goes away after the birth of the baby. If you have gestational diabetes, this means that you have a high amount of sugar in your blood during pregnancy. This form of diabetes can be controlled through diet, medication, and exercise, but if left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause health problems for both you and your baby. If you develop gestational diabetes, your doctor will refer you to a registered dietitian who can help you with special meal plans to control your blood sugar.
Why do I get morning sickness and nausea, and what can I do about it?
Morning sickness and nausea are common in pregnant women. Most nausea occurs during the early part of pregnancy. In most cases this discomfort improves when you enter the second trimester. For some women, morning sickness and nausea might last longer, even for the entire nine months.
The changes in your body can cause nausea and vomiting when:
you smell certain things,
you eat some foods,
you are tired,
you are stressed,
or for no apparent reason
You may be able to reduce nausea by changing when and what you eat. Try these tips:
Eat smaller meals, such as six to eight small meals instead of three larger ones each day.
Don't go for long periods of time without eating.
Drink fluids between, but not with, meals.
Avoid foods that are greasy, fried, or highly spiced.
Avoid strong, foul and unpleasant odors.
Rest when you are tired.

Severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is rare. But constant vomiting can cause you to lose needed water and become dehydrated. If you feel that your nausea or vomiting is keeping you from eating right or gaining enough weight, talk with your doctor.
This FAQ was reviewed by Christine Prue, PhD, Joe Mulinare, MD, Katie Kilker, BS, CHES, and Patricia Mersereau, MN, CPNP at the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

planning Pregnancy

Preconception care can make a positive difference to your health and the health of your child. More and more evidence points to the fact that the way we were nourished and grew in our mother’s womb can have an important impact on your health as an adult. It is now popular to seek information and health care prior to trying to conceive a baby. This seeking of information can help prepare you physically and emotionally for pregnancy and parenthood. The information provided here is basic. There are a number of health care practitioners now providing preconception care. These practitioners included midwives, naturopaths and medical practitioners. You can visit one of these practitioners for in-depth information.

The aim of preconception care is to prepare your body for pregnancy, birth and beyond. This preparation ideally should occur for at least four months prior to trying to fall pregnant (Naish and Roberts, 1998). If this is not possible, try for at least one months preparation. Preconception care improves your chances of falling pregnant more easily, having a healthy pregnancy and health baby and aiding recovery after the birth. What steps can you take to improve your health and what things should you avoid? The following frequently asked questions will provide you with some guidelines.

you're thinking about getting pregnant, or are already pregnant, taking care of your health is more important than ever. Follow these tips for a healthy pregnancy:Get 400 micrograms (or 0.4 mg) of folic acid daily. Eat foods fortified with folic acid, take a multivitamin, or take a folic acid pill to get your daily dose. Taking folic acid in a pill is the best way to be sure you're getting enough. Including 0.4 mgof folic acid (or folate) in your diet before you get pregnant and in the first three months of pregnancy can help prevent some birth defects. If you don't get enough folic acid, your baby's spine may not form right. This is called spina bifida (spy-nuh bif-uh-duh). Also, your baby needs folic acid to develop a healthy brain. Many doctors will prescribe a vitamin with folic acid. But you also can buy vitamins or folic acid pills at drug and grocery stores. Some foods rich in folate include: leafy green vegetables, kidney beans, orange juice and other citrus fruits, peanuts, broccoli, asparagus, peas, lentils, and whole-grain products. Folic acid is also added to some foods like enriched breads, pastas, rice and cereals. Get more details on folic acid.

One half of all pregnancies are not planned!And many women don't realize they are pregnant for at least a few weeks. So you should always take care of your health. Your baby is counting on you for the best start at life!

Start watching what you eat. Load up on fruits, vegetables, and whole-grains (such as whole-wheat breads or crackers). Eat plenty of calcium-rich foods such as non-fat or low-fat yogurt, milk, and broccoli. Your baby needs calcium for strong bones and teeth. When fruits and vegetables aren't in season, frozen vegetables are a good option. Avoid eating a lot of fatty foods (such as butter and fatty meats). Choose leaner foods when you can (such as skim milk, chicken and turkey without the skin, and fish). Find out more about what to eat and what to avoid for a healthy pregnancy.



Tell your doctor if you smoke or use alcohol or drugs. Quitting is hard, but you can do it. Ask your doctor for help.
Get enough sleep. Try to get seven to nine hours every night.
Take steps to control the stress in your life. When it comes to work and family, figure out what you can and can not do. Set limits with yourself and others. Don't be afraid to say NO to requests for your time and energy.

Move your body. Once you get pregnant, you can't increase your exercise routine by much. So it's best to start before the baby is on the way.
Get any health problems under control. Talk to your doctor about how your health problems might affect you and your baby. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar levels. If you have high blood pressure, monitor these levels as well. If you are overweight, talk to your doctor about how to reach a healthy weight.

Ask your mother, aunts, grandmother or sisters about their pregnancies. Did they have morning sickness? Problems with labor? How did they cope?
Find out what health problems run in your family. Tell these to your doctor. You can get tested for health problems that run in families before getting pregnant (genetic testing).
Make sure you have had all of your immunizations (shots), especially for Rubella (German measles). If you haven't had chickenpox or rubella, get the shots at least three months before getting pregnant.

Get checked for hepatitis (hep-uh-tie-tus) B and C, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and HIV. These infections can harm you and your baby. Tell your doctor if you or your sex partners have ever had an STD or HIV.

Go over all of the medicines you take (prescription, over-the-counter, and herbals) with your doctor. Make sure they are safe to take while you're trying to get pregnant or are pregnant.
Ask your partner to stay healthy too!Ask your partner to limit how much alcohol he drinks. If he uses illegal drugs or smokes, encourage him to quit. Studies show that men who drink a lot, smoke, or use drugs can have problems with their sperm. These might cause you to have problems getting pregnant.

Planning Conception

While trying to conceive, you can use natural planning methods such as the ovulation method (have intercourse just before or after ovulation) or the symptothermal method (evaluating fertility based on your daily temperature). Remember: women are more likely to become pregnant if intercourse takes place just before or just after ovulation. This is because the unfertilized egg can live for only 12-24 hours in your body. If you'e been trying for a few months with no results, don't get discouraged. Only 20% of women trying to get pregnant are successful on the first attempt. So don't lose hope or assume something is wrong.

Adoption and Foster Care

If you are having fertility problems, you and your partner might want to explore other ways to raise a child. Find out more about adoption and foster care. Adopting or becoming a foster parent could be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Get more information on adoption and foster care.