Stopping contraception is probably the first thing you will think about when you have decided the time is right to try for a baby. If you have been taking the contraceptive pill then the time it will take for your fertility to return to normal will depend on the type you have been using. It can return to normal fairly quickly if you have been using the combined oral contraceptive pill, progestagen only pill or implants.

Progestagen injections can take longer for your ovulation to return to normal, sometimes as long as eighteen months.

Obviously if you have been using barrier methods then as soon as you stop using them you can become pregnant straight away depending on which stage of your cycle you are in.

Did you know that to fall pregnant, you will need to have intercourse around the time of ovulation. This is when an egg is released into the fallopian tube ready to be fertilized by a sperm. You can work this out by getting to know your menstrual cycle. A regular menstrual cycle is generally every 28 days which means ovulation would take place around day 14. At the time of ovulation your vaginal discharge becomes thinner and stretchy helping to allow sperm to pass through your cervix ready to fertilize your egg.

Don’t worry if it you don’t conceive straight away

·         60% of couples take six months

·         80% will take twelve months 

It isn’t always an easy decision to make but once you have decided to start trying for a family, it’s an ideal time to make some life changes that will benefit you and your chances of conception.

Your diet

We all know that eating fruit and vegetables is good for us but it can be beneficial to you and your baby to try to eat as healthily as possible so you can improve fertility and have a healthy pregnancy.

·         Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

·         Eat a varied diet to ensure you are getting all nutrients your body needs.

·         Try to limit ‘fast food’ which is often high in salt and cut back on tea and coffee.

·         Take folic acid prior to conceiving and up to the 12^th week of pregnancy, this can significantly reduce the risk of spina bifida.

·         If you feel you may be lacking in nutrients then take a supplement designed especially for pregnancy or ask your G.P for advice.

Healthy Weight
Try to get to a healthy weight before conceiving, being under-weight or over-weight has an effect on your fertility.

• If you are over-weight you will be at increased risk of high blood pressure or you could even develop diabetes.

• Being under-weight can increase the pressure put on your body during pregnancy and giving birth

• Have a health check up with your G.P who will advise you of a healthy weight and B.M.I for optimum chances of conception

Smoking
Smoking affects fertility in both women and men.

·         Male smokers generally have a lower sperm count, it also affects their sperm quality and mobility.

·         Woman smokers will have higher oestrogen levels than non-smokers which can result in irregular ovulation.

·         Stopping smoking will increase your chances of conceiving and will be beneficial to your health and that of your baby.

·         Babies born to smokers often have a lower birth weight.

Alcohol          
We all know that drinking vast amounts of alcohol has an effect on our health.

• Drinking small amounts of alcohol regularly can affect a man’s sperm count or make the sperm produced abnormal or low in mobility.

• To increase your chances of conception and to improve sperm quality you should try to give up alcohol for three months before trying for a baby.

• It’s a good idea for women to give up too, as alcohol can increase the chances of miscarriage.

Finally don’t forget to try to exercise at least three times a week to get your heart pumping and get you fit and ready for coping with a new born.