From nothing to something
Planning to become pregnant is an exciting and important decision to make, either by yourself or with your partner. Once decided, you want it to happen as soon as possible! Although it can often take up to a year to conceive. Each month your chance of conception is approx. 20%. If you are 35 or older, your chances go down to 10%. So patience is important. To increase your chances of conception and a healthy pregnancy, you should:
- Start taking folic acid
- Have a balanced diet
- Get plenty of exercise
- Stop smoking, use of alcohol and/or drugs
If you have an underlying condition or use medication, please consult with your doctor before getting pregnant.
If you want to know more about how to start your pregnancy as healthy as possible, take a look at 'getting pregnant soon'.
What if it doesn't work
If you have been unable to conceive for over a year, you can choose to be tested. Your family doctor will assess if a referral to a gynaecologist will be helpful and if you qualify for fertility treatment. You can read more about this on Freya.