About Conception

Pre Conception Health

It is recommended that anyone trying for a baby should take steps to maximise their health at least 3 to 6 months before conception. Having a healthy BMI, and lifestyle choices such as reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking will significantly maximise your fertility. Your state of health pre-conception will affect the quality of sperm and eggs, and the health of any future children.

It is important that women take a multivitamin containing folic acid (0.5 mg per day) for at least 3 months before conception as this decreases the incidence of neural tube defects (e.g. spina bifida) in babies.

Women should also have an adequate intake of iodine as this protects your baby from thyroid disease. The exact amount is not clear but receiving iodine supplements through either iodised salt or supplementation of a folate preparation is recommended.

There is also growing evidence for the role of antioxidants in men. Antioxidants are thought to protect the DNA in sperm from the effects of free oxygen radicals in the testicle.

About Conception

For the best chance of conceiving you should be having unprotected intercourse every 2–3 days...

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