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Home › Articles › Improving Your Chances of Conceiving › Preconception Top 10

Preconception Top 10

Tips for a Healthy Conception

By Kelly Burgess

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2. Make a Preconception Doctor's Visit
Opinion is split on this one. While Dr. Plosker says it's a good idea to get guidelines for things such as folic acid doses, Dr. Laura Goetzl, assistant professor in the department of obstetrics/gynecology at the Medical University of South Carolina, says for a healthy, well-informed woman looking at a normal pregnancy, it's probably not necessary – especially if it's not covered by insurance. In general, this knowledgeable woman is already doing everything she should (in other words, following our top 10 tips). However, Dr. Goetzl says, there are some women who should have this visit, such as those with a history of pregnancy complications, a family history of genetic disease, irregular periods or other warning signs of possible fertility issues, or anyone who is severely overweight or underweight.

3. Quit Smoking and Drinking Alcohol
The risks of drinking alcohol while pregnant are well-documented. However, since the risks of smoking while pregnant are not as obviously manifested in the way fetal alcohol syndrome is, sometimes women don't realize how dangerous it can be. Dr. James Mayer, associate professor and USF IVF physician at the University of South Florida College of Medicine, says smoking in early pregnancy raises the chance of miscarriage. That means you shouldn't wait until you actually find out you're pregnant to quit, as you may already be several weeks along by then and have put yourself at risk of an early miscarriage. Smoking during the entire pregnancy results in an increased risk of preterm labor. The reason why: The toxins in cigarettes go right across the placenta into the baby's lood stream and can cause the placenta to calcify. In addition, Dr. Goetzl says, the father should quit smoking as well, as secondhand smoke is also very harmful.


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Preconception Top 10 by Anonymous on 03/11/2010 12:22PM

Some women have to work in order to provide for their children, save for college, etc., especially if they are the primary breadwinner.

Preconception Top 10 by Anonymous on 02/14/2010 09:55PM

I don't understand how you planned so well for your students but then went back to work leaving your baby only 2 and a half months after he was born

Preconception Top 10 by Anonymous on 07/02/2009 10:22PM

This is such helpful information. I will be getting married this August and we are hoping to try and get pregnant as soon as we get married.

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