Congratulations on your pregnancy! You are in for a wonderful life changing experience. Once you know for sure that you are pregnant it is vital to look after yourself to give your unborn baby the best chance to a healthy start in life.

The best way to look after yourself is to  ensure you are getting adequate rest and enough sleep – your body is working extra hard right now to grow your baby. Exercising and eating a well balanced diet will boost your immune system and give you enough energy to complete everyday tasks as well as your all important job of creating a healthy baby.

Make sure you are eating a wide variety of foods. Your energy needs will increase by 15% during your pregnancy. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grain cereals, rice and bread, meat and fish are also an important part of your diet.

Remember to include healthy snacks to keep your energy levels up. Try a yogurt and banana, peanut butter sandwich, museli bar, dried fruit, popcorn, cheese and crackers or a muffin. Avoid foods high in sugar as they add no nutritional benefit for you. Be prepared and take extra snacks to work with you, keep some in your handbag so you are always ready for when you need that extra boost.

Water is also extremely important. Keep a bottle with you at all times and aim to drink 2 bottles of water a day. If you eat sensibly and have one extra snack a day then this is all you need to do to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy and are giving your unborn baby every chance to thrive.

So get organized, off you go and write your shopping list. Aim for foods that are in there natural state and haven’t been highly processed. Aim for 5 servings of  fruit and vegetables a day, include meat, bread, yogurt, cheese, pasta, rice, milk, beans and nuts. As long as the food you eat has been washed or cooked thoroughly you can be as imaginative and creative as you want.

If you have been actively trying to conceive for a year or more with no luck now is the time to make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your options.

Common questions your doctor may ask you about are:

1. How often are you having intercourse?

2. Are your cycles regular?

3. Family history

4. Are you taking any medications?

5. How long have you been trying to get pregnant for?

Once the doctor has all your information presented to them they will advise you on the best treatment method for you. You may be sent to a specialist or have specific tests to try and diagnose the reason why you cannot conceive.

In my case my partner and I tried to become pregnant for a year then went to see a specialist. He had tests to check sperm quantity,  quality and the shape. All the results came back positive and he was in great shape to make a baby.

Next it was my turn I was nervous as my partner obviously had no problems whatsoever. I  had to have a few more tests done to determine the reasons why I could not conceive.

First I used the ovulating kits to see which days I was ovulating but I never had a positive result.

The next test was a dye test in my ovaries to flush out any blockages – they were all clear as well.

After these test I was put on a drug called Clomiphene prescribed by my specialist to help me ovulate and increase my chances of becoming pregnant. I was fortunate that after taking this pill for 5 days and having several blood tests and being told exactly when to have intercourse that this worked for me. I was in disbelief – surely it couldn’t have worked! We were so excited and nervous at the same time.

I have learned that everyone is different and this worked for me but other people may need more intensive treatment such as IVF. Don’t give up hope, be positive. I know it can be heartbreaking. It took us 16 months to conceive and we are so blessed to have a beautiful baby girl. So keep trying and I know one day you too will have your own wee bundle of joy.

The best time in your life to get pregnant is when you feel ready and have an overwhelming desire to have a baby.

Age is a factor but not as important as one may think. The crucial factor is discussing your desire to have a baby with your partner and agree on a time frame to embark on the wonderful life changing events a baby brings.

Questions to ask your partner:

1. Are you ready to have a baby?

2. When would you like to start a family?  Straight away/ A year/ 2-3 years

3. Can we afford to have a baby?

4. Who will be the primary caregiver? You or your partner

5. Are you healthy enough to conceive a baby?  Not smoking/ Drinking/ doing drugs.

Once you have discussed these questions with your partner you will have a good idea on when to begin. Remember it may take up to a year to conceive so don’t put pressure on yourself to get pregnant straight away.

The best time to become pregnant is during the middle of your cycle between days 10-20. Each cycle you have a 20% chance of becoming pregnant.

So good luck! and remember to have fun and enjoy all that baby making.