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Home › Articles › Improving Your Chances of Conceiving › Six Months to Conception

Six Months to Conception

A Practical 5-Step Plan Toward Pregnancy

By Lisa Marie Metzler

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Fetal alcohol syndrome can cause serious defects and learning disabilities in your baby. You should stop consuming alcohol at least two months prior to conception. According to Dr. Cole, harmful substances from alcohol can be stored in fat and can take a month or more to be eliminated from your body.

Recreational drugs have adverse effects on your baby, not to mention your own body. Now is the perfect time to seek help. Don't be embarrassed to ask your doctor about specifically-designed programs to help you stop drinking and/or taking recreational drugs. You'll be glad you did.

Step 5: Take Vitamins with Folic Acid

Did you know you can reduce the risk of your baby being born with brain and spinal cord defects just by taking folic acid? The March of Dimes reports that the risk of brain and spinal cord defects are reduced by as much as 50 to 70 percent when the mother is taking a daily dose of 400 micrograms of folic acid. Look for prenatal vitamins that contain the recommended amount or ask your physician to prescribe one.

Healthy Dads-to-be
"Most men don't think they need to do anything," says Dr. Cole. "Sperm are the unindicted co-conspirators when it comes to birth defects. Sperm are as affected by tobacco, alcohol and recreational and prescription drugs as eggs."

Men should follow the same guidelines as women and stop smoking (or using other tobacco products), drinking and recreational drug use. Prescriptions should be discussed with your doctor, too, so you can determine whether to stop, continue or substitute for another medicine. Other potential sources for concern are exposure to toxins like pesticides or organic solvents. Dr. Cole recommends exposure to these substances should be stopped prior to conception.


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