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This is important for both the mother and father to give your baby the best possible chance of being healthy.
It can take up to one year of regular sexual intercourse for normal couples to achieve a pregnancy. However, see your doctor if you feel that you are having trouble after trying to conceive.
This way you will be able to know when you become pregnant and when your baby is due. Often, when a woman ceases the oral contraceptive pill she may experience a delay of a few weeks until her first period.
It is very important that both you and your partner cease smoking prior to trying for a baby. Smoking tobacco can affect the man's production of sperm and can affect the growth and well-being of a baby during pregnancy.
Exercise in a healthy manner
Regular walking, aerobic exercise or swimming most days is healthy. It is advisable to avoid extreme exercise such as horse riding, water-skiing or diving. Also, exposure to excessive heat during exercise, for example marathon running or sauna baths may affect a developing pregnancy.
Regular sleep is necessary to keep fit. Also spend time in relaxation each day.
Good eating habits before and during your pregnancy and while you are breast feeding are important. Your body will need increased protein, calcium, iron, folic acid and vitamin C intake.
Alcohol can affect the man's production of sperm. It is important to avoid alcohol in pregnancy, as it is toxic for the baby.
In the early weeks of pregnancy can cause damage to the baby. Before a pregnancy, your doctor can check with a blood test whether you are immune to rubella.
If you have any symptoms such as a discharge, lumps or sores or if you or your partner are at risk of sexually transmitted infections including Hepatitis B and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS) then you both could have tests to exclude infection.
This vaccination (3 injections over 6 months) may be advisable before pregnancy if you are in an at risk situation i.e. working in health service, if you or your partner are injecting drugs or if you are from particular regions such as Aboriginal communities, Torres Strait Islands, SE Asia or China.
Do not take any drugs until you have checked with your doctor that they are necessary and safe to use in pregnancy.
New research indicates the benefit of folic acid tablets before and during pregnancy in reducing the risk of abnormality of the brain and spinal tissue (anencephaly and spina bifida). It is recommended that all women trying to fall pregnant should take 0.5mg of folic acid per day for up to three months before conception and for four months following conception.
All of our helpful Female Doctors at Healthy Women Medical Centre will be more than happy to discuss with you any issues of concern prior to your preparation for a family. We also encourage partner consultation with any of our Female Doctors when you are planning your family.
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