Upping the Odds

Doing Your Best to Conceive

By Michele St. Martin

Dr. Barrere recommends discontinuing oral contraceptives (birth control pills) at least one month prior to attempting to conceive. "In this case, cycle length can be ascertained," he says. "This may be helpful in cases of infertility."

He also recommends immunization for Rubella, if you are not immune, and Hepatitis B. "Since this is a live virus vaccine, a period of three months should be allowed prior to conception." Although he also recommends immunization for Hepatitis B, this does not require a delay in trying to conceive.

Prenatal vitamins are often one of the easiest – and most important – changes you can make when planning to conceive. Adding a prenatal vitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid to your daily routine greatly reduces the incidence of open neural tube defects such as anencephaly and spina bifida, Dr. Barrere reports. "The vitamin should also contain 30 milligrams of ferrous iron supplementation to support the increase in blood volume that occurs with pregnancy," he says.

Seeking out preconception counseling and making lifestyle changes can help you get ready for the challenges of becoming pregnant and carry that new life for the following nine months. According to Andrea Miller, who's been trying to conceive for nearly two years, "It was hard (to give up caffeine) but it will be worth it in the end!"

*Names changed to protect privacy.