Whether you are just beginning to consider parenthood or have been trying to conceive for a while, now is the time to carefully evaluate and fine-tune your preconception health.
This page briefly reviews lifestyle changes and medical evaluations to consider. Click on our "Helpful Prenatal Preparation Links" above for more information.

Timing is important: A woman and her eggs are the same age

More and more women are having their first child after the age of 35. This time also coincides with the natural decline in fertility potential. One of the most challenging clinical scenarios is the impact of the aging egg on pregnancy chances. This decline in fertility potential, or "ovarian reserve", is the natural consequence of the aging process on human eggs.

Many couples may not be aware that a woman’s age can play a significant role in her ability to become pregnant. The decline in fertility potential, or "ovarian reserve", is the natural consequence of the aging process on human eggs and has little to do with how healthy or fit a woman may be. As you plan your future, just remember to include this fact as you plan your reproductive future.

Initial infertility evaluations should be individualized, taking into consideration the medical history of the couple and the age of the female partner.
Pacific Fertility Center’s has general age-based guidelines for infertility evaluation:

• Women less than 35 years of age: Begin after one year of trying
• Women 35-39: Begin after approximately six months of adequately timed intercourse or inseminations.
• Women 40 and over: Begin after three months.

Wellness Check-ups

At least three months before you think you will begin trying to get pregnant, visit your OB/GYN or primary health care provider and your dentist. Ask your doctor to evaluate your health Get his/her recommendation on any preventive health measures to improve your prepregnancy health. Get the necessary immunizations Schedule recommended treatments.

Your visit to your OB/GYN or primary health care provider may include:
Female/Male Reproductive history
Female Pelvic examination
Female/Male Screening for potential fertility problems
Female Blood tests to determine immunity to infections, which could threaten pregnancy
Female/Male Screening for sexually transmitted infections
Female Assessment of chronic medical conditions (i.e.: diabetes, hypertension, thyroid)
Female/Male Family history of birth defects for possible referral to a genetic counselor.
Female Review of menstrual cycle
Female/Male Counseling on nutrition, diet, exercise, and life style behaviors

Your visit to your dentist may include:
Dental cleaning, treatment of periodontal disease and completion of necessary dental work.

Assess your lifestyle and your environment
There is no magic lifestyle or diet that will guarantee fertility or a perfect baby, There are, however, some basic guidelines to follow.
Using common sense and avoid extremes in diet and exercise is a good place to start

Exercise

Do participate in regular exercise such as walking, jogging, biking, swimming etc. It is good for cardiovascular health and may decrease your stress level. Don‘t start a new energetic exercise regimen just before attempting to become pregnant. Do consult your physician on what may or may not be recommended for you.

Level of exercise:
Everyone has a different level of exercise at which point it interferes with fertility.
Extreme exercise may affect fertility in both men and women.
Men can develop reduced sperm production and women may stop ovulating.
Serious athletes may have to add more calories to ward off fertility problems. Please consult with your doctor if you are in a rigorous exercise program and concerned about your fertility.

Weight

Avoid Extremes: Very thin or recent weight loss This may affect the release of LH and FSH (the gonadotropins). LH and FSH are important for the development of eggs in the ovaries and sperm in the testes. Your response to weight and weight change is unique, so please discuss your condition with your physician and/or with a dietitian.

Overweight
Obesity may affect the hormonal signals to the ovaries or testes. Crash or fad diets resulting in sudden or extreme weight loss also affect fertility, so please consult with your doctor and/or nutritionist for the best approach to your particular situation. Metabolic causes of obesity may need to be ruled out.

Nutrition

Keep you plate colorful! Create meals that are "colorful". Include a variety of green, red, and yellow vegetables, a lean low fat portion of protein, fresh fruits and whole grains.

Limit the number of foods which are high in sugar or saturated fat, e.g. butter, whole milk products, fatty meats, fried foods as well as salty and processed foods.

Purchase fresh, unprocessed produce whenever possible. Visit your farmers’ markets to find fresh, organic, affordable produce.

Fish: Click here for an update on the safety of fish in your diet

Alcohol: Limit it. The primary cause of preventable mental retardation is alcohol, according to the March of Dimes. Please seek professional help if you are unable to decrease or quit drinking prior to pregnancy.

Caffeine: Limit it.3-8 oz cups of coffee/day can double a nonsmoker’s risk of miscarriage in the first trimester. N. England J Med 343[25]: 839-45, 2000

Tobacco: Stop smoking. Ask your friends and family to help you stop. Discuss a cessation program with your doctor.

Drugs, Vitamins and supplements

Avoid any unnecessary medications, especially recreational drugs of any kind.

Review all your over-the-counter and prescription vitamins, herbs and medications with your health care provider. Though the label may say "natural" or "herbal", they can have active ingredients, which may interfere with your fertility and/or be harmful to a growing fetus.

Folic Acid is important
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend folate supplementation of 0.4 mg or 400 micrograms per day before pregnancy and during the first few months of pregnancy.

Folic acid can help protect your unborn baby against birth defects of the spine and brain.

Environment Workplace

Do you work in a setting where hazardous materials or toxins? Discuss this with your healthcare provider. Together you may identify substances to avoid.

Cleaners and toxic fumes: Always create good ventilation when using drain cleaners, paints and floor strippers.

Click here for more information on toxins in the environment.
CA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

X-rays: Always ask to have your reproductive organs shielded if you have to have an x-ray.

Cat litter, undercooked meat and gardening: Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite. It may be carried in a cat’s stool, in undercooked meat or in the soil. If a pregnant woman is infected, a developing fetus can be harmed. Have someone other than the mother-to-be care for the litter box. Avoid eating undercooked meat and gardening without gloves.

Decrease Your Stress

Become aware of the health of your relationships and your emotional well-being. Enlist the help of a therapist, clergyman, or other professional to help work through childhood traumas before beginning a family. Click here for information about Mind/Body@PFC Weekend Workshop or call 888-834-3095 for class information, fees and your registration form

Helpful Prenatal Preparation Web Links

ABCs of having a healthy pregnancy - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities’ informative website.

March of Dimes - Non-profit organization working to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality.

Protect Your Fertility - American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) educational web site discussing ways to protect the fertility of women and men. ASRM is the nation’s largest professional organization of fertility experts.

b4pregnancy - Informative site developed by the Preconception Care Resource Center of Medical University of South Carolina sponsored by the March of Dimes. It provides women and men of childbearing age information and resources concerning healthy lifestyle changes in preparation for pregnancy.