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Checklist

Your chances of conceiving will increase if you're in tip-top condition. Most doctors agree that the health of your baby is directly related your body's condition in the very earliest stages of pregnancy, so starting to look after yourself once you know you're pregnant is not soon enough.

There are several things you can do in the six months before you conceive to ensure you're as healthy as possible.

• Speak to your GP about a pre-pregnancy check-up. They will check your blood pressure and may advise you to have blood and urine tests. Make sure you mention any medication you're taking.
• Take three or four good sessions of exercise a week.
• Take a high-quality vitamin supplement containing both folic acid and vitamin B12, like Sanatogen ProNatal, which is tailored for women before, during and after pregnancy.
• Take a tailored omega-3 supplement like Sanatogen ProNatal Plus Omega-3 to help prepare your body for pregnancy.
• Reduce the amounts of alcohol you drink.
• Stop taking the pill at least six months before you intend to conceive.
• If you smoke, stop!

Folic acid

Folic acid (or folate) plays a crucial role in the healthy development of your baby's brain and spinal cord.

Folic acid is found in a wide variety of foods - green leafy vegetables, beans, wheatgerm, yeast, eggs, orange juice, and from a number of other sources. But in practice, folic acid rapidly loses its potency during storage and cooking - fresh vegetables can lose up to 70% in three days, up to 95% is lost into cooking water, and further losses occur when food is heated.

During pregnancy, you'll need considerably more folic acid than usual, and it's just as important that your body is well stocked before you conceive. Doctors now recommend that you start taking a daily supplement of at least 400mcg of folic acid at least three months before conception, and continue until the end of the twelfth week of pregnancy.