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

Six Months to Conception

A Practical 5-Step Conception Plan for Getting Pregnant

By Lisa Marie Metzler

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Overweight women should consult their doctor about a healthy weight loss plan and start a moderate exercising program. However, doctors agree that you shouldn't start any new exercise program after conception. That's why Tracy Rothman of El Dorado, Calif., decided to start before conception.

"I decided that I better already be in the habit of exercising beforehand," she says. "I could stand to lose about 15 pounds, and I don't want to add to the extra weight that I already have."

Although there are many diet aids, such as "fat burner" pills and shakes, to help you lose weight, these products have not been studied in women trying to conceive. "My strong suggestion would be to use a judicious program of caloric restriction and exercise prior to pregnancy," says Dr. Cole. "Such a program should be with the advice and approval of a treating physician, nurse practitioner or nurse midwife."

Step 3: Stop Smoking
Easier said than done for most, but it is crucial you stop smoking before conception. Although some substances from smoking are cleansed by the body in a few days, others aren't. In some cases, these harmful substances are stored directly in fat and can take longer to eliminate. To reduce prematurity, low birth weight and an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome and asthma, stop smoking now.

There are programs specifically designed for women who want to stop smoking before becoming pregnant. Ask your doctor or midwife to see if there is a program in your area. If you are considering using a nicotine replacement product to stop smoking, talk with your doctor. According to Dr. Cole, nicotine replacement therapy studies have not been able to provide a definitive answer to suggest that nicotine replacement products are safe to use while you're preparing to become pregnant or already pregnant.


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Re: Six Months to Conception by anonymous on 10/14/2009 08:47AM

Lisa Marie Metzler, Please have try all ways to get pregnant but I don't count my date well or what happen? when I use the easy calculation I used it good but always the result is neg. please try to help me, I go through your book but nothing happen like this month my LPM is on 28/09/2009, makes me to play with my husband always one per every day, even make him not happy with me because we had been one year, my acual day is 28 days, please i need your help on this case and I know that you can, I conduct medical doctor they give me some treatment last month I took it after MP two day I have started with but may be thing will be oright.awaiting for your help

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