Preparing for Pregnancy - Tesco

Getting help and more information:
Your Tesco Pharmacist will always be able to
advise you about planning your family. But for
some contraceptive methods and fertility help
you’ll need to visit your GP or family planning
clinic. You can also get help from NHS Direct
(0845 4647, www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk), NHS drop-in
centres and your local sexual health clinic.
These organisations can also help. They all handle
enquiries confidentially and won’t get embarrassed!
Contraception &
Sexual Health support
fpa (Family Planning Association)
www.fpa.org.uk
England: 0845 310 1334
Scotland: 0141 576 5088
Northern Ireland: 028 90 325 488 (Belfast)
and 028 71 260 016 (Derry)
Natural Family Planning:
www.fertilityuk.org
Support if you have an STI
Sexual Health Information Line:
0800 567 123
Support for conception
Infertility Network UK:
www.infertilitynetworkuk.com
The Human Fertilisation and
Embryology Authority:
www.hfea.gov.uk/ForPatients
CQ16998/0
Family Planning
What’s best
FOR YOU
Choices for
contraception
When you’re ready for pregnancy
Preparing for pregnancy
10 TIPS
for would-be
mums & dads
Planning a baby
Sources of advice & information

Family
Planning
Contents
3 The best way for you
4 What are your choices?
5 Choosing a condom
9 Other contraceptive methods
Natural methods
10 USING HORMONES
12 Problem infections
13 Unplanned pregnancy
14 WHEN YOU’RE READY
16 Preparing for
pregnancy
19 10 TIPS FOR WOULD-BE
MUMS AND DADS
20 Sources of advice and information
2
FAMILYPLANNING
“Nowadays, if you wish, you can
usually plan your family. You can
choose to conceive when the time’s
right - then confidently prepare for
conception and usually have a happy,
healthy pregnancy.
“Perhaps the best feeling in the world is to
want a baby - and then find out you’re going
to have one.
“Perhaps the worst feeling in the world is to
find out you’re pregnant when you don’t
want to be.
“This booklet gives some information on the
choices open to you and contains some of
the details you need to make the decisions
that are right for you.
“If you’re ready to have a child right now, the
booklet will help you choose the best time
and prepare in the best way. It’ll advise you
how to find out whether you’re pregnant and
how to get support when conceiving isn’t easy.
“I hope that you find it a useful guide to
make the decisions that are right for you.”
Susan Quilliam
Susan Quilliam is an
author,‘agony aunt’ and a
member of the editorial
board of the Journal of
Family Planning and
Reproductive Health Care.
Tesco would like to thank
the fpa (Family Planning
Association) for their help
in compiling this booklet.
The best way for you
“I’m delighted Tesco
Pharmacies provide family
planning advice and my
patients like it. Tesco Pharmacies
are open until at least 8pm and
have confidential consulting
rooms. Do
pharmacists get
embarrassed?
Not at all -
they are just
happy to help.”
Dr Hilary Jones
With a new partner, it’s important
to discuss family planning well
before you get to the bedroom.
That way you don’t have to stop
lovemaking to talk - and you can
relax, knowing you’re on the
same wavelength as a couple!
3
FAMILYPLANNING
Use this checklist to work out what’s
important to you. Then use the grid over
the page as a guide to which method may be
best for you. Remember that your choices
and options might change as you get older.
✔ Effectiveness: do I need
complete reliability?
✔ Protection: do I need to protect
against infections?
✔ Spontaneity: how easy and
convenient?
✔ Whose role: mine or my partner’s to
use the contraceptive concerned?
✔ Side effects: what are the
possible side effects?
✔ Reversibility: is it OK to wait
to conceive?
✔ Under my control: or with the
help of a doctor?
Talking it through
An easy way to start the conversation is
“I always use a condom. If you don’t have
one, I do.” And if your partner won’t use
protection? Don’t have sex with them!
Even in a long-term partnership, make
time to discuss contraception so you’re
both happy with your choice.

What are your choices?
Talk to your GP, practice nurse, Family Planning Clinic or pharmacist for advice on what form
of contraception will suit you best and what side effects you may encounter.
Condom
Female condom
Latex /
Diaphragm / Cap
Natural family
planning methods
Combined pill
Progestogen
only pill
Injection
Implant
IUD
IUS
Patch
Male vasectomy /
Female sterilisation
98% most no his rarely immediate yes
95% most no hers rarely immediate yes
92-96% some no hers rarely immediate
up to
98%
effectiveness
when used
correctly
no yes both no immediate yes
over 99% no yes hers sometimes
99% no yes hers sometimes
over 99% no yes hers sometimes
over 99% no yes hers sometimes
around
99%
protection
against STIs
spontaneity
whose role
no yes hers sometimes
over 99% no yes hers sometimes
over 99% no yes hers sometimes very quick
over 99% no yes his or sometimes
hers
4
FAMILYPLANNING
side effects
very
quick
very
quick
reversibility
yes but needs
a little time
needs removing
but then
immediate
needs removing
but then
immediate
needs removing
but then
immediate
designed to be
irreversible
under your
control
needs initial
fitting by a
practitioner
prescription
only
needs prescription fitting
by a only doctor
needs renewing
every 3 months
- doctor’s visit
needs replacing
needs fitting
every 3 years
- by doctor’s a doctor visit
needs replacing
every 3-10 years
- doctor’s visit
needs replacing
every 5 years
- doctor’s visit
prescription
only
needs an
operation
Source: fpa (Family Planning Association) February 2005 N.B. If it’s important to you and your partner to avoid pregnancy,
spermicides alone or withdrawal are unlikely to be effective enough.
Choosing a condom
If people are having sex, or planning
to, they need to be aware of the risks
they’re taking and how to avoid them.
Condoms are the ONLY form of
contraception to help protect against
sexually transmitted infections as well as
unplanned pregnancy.
They’re easy to use, comfortable and can
be fun. Tesco healthcare department
stocks the major brands and there are
lots of different types to choose from
for added enjoyment and safer sex!
Even in a long-term relationship,
where you’re sure of your partner’s
sexual health, condoms can be a good
contraception choice to avoid pregnancy.
Where are they available?
You can get male condoms free from
family planning clinics, most sexual health
clinics, NHS walk-in clinics and some
general practices. Or you can buy them
from supermarkets (such as Tesco
healthcare department), chemists,
garages, vending machines and by mail
order. Female condoms aren’t as widely
available but some family planning clinics
provide them and Tesco Pharmacies can
order them for you. You can speak to
your pharmacist in a discreet consulting
room if you wish.
5
FAMILYPLANNING
How to approach
safer sex:
BE CONFIDENT … Explain why it’s
important to you that you and your partner
use a condom.
BE ASSERTIVE … If your partner won’t
use a condom then say that you won’t have
sex without one. You know what’s best for
your body, so say exactly how you feel!
BE OPEN … If you find the subject
awkward (a lot of people do) say so and
persevere because it’s important you make
your views clear.
BE PRACTICAL … Don’t leave the
discussion until the last minute. Talk about
your views before you get carried away.
Explain that you are concerned about your
health and your partner’s.
BE FUN … Remember sex should be
enjoyable and condoms can be fun and sexy!

Problems
If you get itchy or uncomfortable
using male or female condoms,
diaphragms, caps, lubricants or
spermicides - get advice from your
doctor, practice nurse or pharmacist.
The condom checklist:
✔ DO always carry condoms with you so
that you can enjoy sex without worrying.
✔ DO explain why it’s important to you
that your partner uses a condom.
✔ DO make sure you know the right way
to put on a condom - read the
instructions in the packet.
✔ DO open the foil carefully. Beware of
jewellery, sharp or ragged fingernails or
piercings which could tear the condom.
✔ DO put the condom on before there is
any sexual contact between you and your
partner, and take it off carefully before the
erection fades.
✔ DO store condoms carefully in a cool,
dry place away from direct sunlight.
✔ DO make sure you use a new condom
every time you have sex.
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6
FAMILYPLANNING
DON’T be tempted to take risks if a
condom isn’t available.
DON’T use a condom which has
passed the expiry date printed on
the back.
DON’T use oil-based lubricants with
latex condoms. Check the instructions
that come with the lubricant to see if it
is safe to use with condoms. The oil will
damage the condom.
DON’T use a condom more than once.
DON’T have sex with a new partner if
they won’t use a condom.
DON’T put the used condom in the
toilet - it might block it. Wrap it and
put it in the bin.
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Have more fun
with safer sex!
Durex Pleasuremax has an array of ribs
and dots and Performa is designed for
longer lasting pleasure, while Durex
Sensation has a multitude of raised
dots for added enjoyment.
Other additions to the
Durex pleasure enhancing
range are two lubricants -
Play Heat and Play Feel -
making sex better for
you and your partner.
Remember, safer sex
can be better sex –
so always use
a condom!
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Ask your pharmacist
for the product that
suits you best.
Try a tingle!
A new pleasure enhancing
condom from Durex is
ensuring that safer sex is
fun, sexy and sensual!
New Durex Tingle is coated in
a minty lubricant on both the
inside and outside of the
condom, to create a hot
and cold tingling sensation,
for mutual heightened pleasure.
Tingle is also ‘easy-on’, meaning
it is shaped to be easier to use
and more comfortable to wear.
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These days there is a wide
choice of condoms
available giving you the
opportunity to select the
right condom to suit your
individual needs.
You may choose to use
different condoms for
different occasions to add
extra fun to your sex life.
Using condoms can be fun
and, when used regularly
they can become a
natural and exciting part
of foreplay, giving you
and your partner the
freedom to enjoy sex
without the worry.
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Choosing the right Condom for you
For extra sensation
Pasanté Ribbed has
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For extra security
Pasanté Regular condoms
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and are lubricated with a
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reassurance.
For extra fun
Pasanté Mixed Flavours
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To find out more about
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and our full range of
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visit us at
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or ask your Tesco
Pharmacist
Other contraceptive
In addition to condoms, there are
methods: other types of barrier protection:
Diaphragm and cap
Diaphragms and caps are both barrier
methods to stop sperm. They need to be
fitted at a GP practice or family planning
clinic - the doctor or nurse will demonstrate
how to use it and arrange a further
appointment to check the fit, particularly
after having a baby.
Spermicide
Spermicide comes in several forms - tablets,
foam, gel, creams, films - and you can buy it
from Tesco Pharmacy for use as extra
protection with condoms, diaphragms and
caps. It helps to kill sperm but isn’t effective
enough to use on its own. Spermicides are
also available free on prescription.
Natural methods
Natural family planning (NFP)
There are times in the month when it’s safer
to have sex because pregnancy’s unlikely -
you can tell these by carefully watching
certain female body signs such as
temperature, cervical mucus and the length
of her menstrual cycle. These body signs
may alter, so you need to be taught this
method by a specialist Natural Family
Planning (NFP) teacher. NFP is particularly
welcomed by some faiths that don’t support
other kinds of family planning.
Withdrawal
A man pulling out before he ejaculates
is very natural and spontaneous. But it’s
also very unreliable because sperm may leak
out even before climax. If you absolutely
can’t afford a pregnancy, avoid this method!
9
FAMILYPLANNING
None of the
contraceptive
methods on this page
protect against
sexually transmitted
infections.
Lubricants
Lubricants - like petroleum jelly, lotions and
body oils - make intercourse more
comfortable. But oil based lubricants may
weaken male latex condoms, diaphragms and
caps - so keep these well away from each other.
Vasectomy and Sterilisation
When you’ve completed your family, or
decided you don’t want children, you may
wish to talk to your GP about male
vasectomy or female sterilisation.
After the menopause
If you’re a woman who’s past the menopause,
it’s very unlikely you’ll conceive if you’ve not
had a period for two years - one year if you’re
over 50. (But remember that you’ll still need
protection against infections. Check with your
GP to be sure you will not conceive.)
If you're having Advertisement Promotion
problems in
planning for a
family, there’s a
slight chance
you could be
experiencing the
first stage of the menopause.
Vielle Menopause Home Test Kit, available at
Tesco, allows women to quickly, discreetly and
accurately determine for themselves whether
or not they are approaching the menopause
in their own homes, without having to visit
their doctor. However do talk to your doctor,
practice nurse or pharmacist if you have
any concerns.

Using hormones
Are hormonal
contraceptives
right for you?
✔Hormonal contraceptives
are very reliable providing
they are used properly.
✔They don’t interfere with sex.
Yes
✔They’re under the woman’s control.
✔They can help with painful periods or PMT.
✔Some hormonal contraceptives can protect
against pelvic infections, fibroids, cysts and
some types of cancer.
The Pill
There are two sorts. The progestogen only
pill (POP or mini pill as it used to be called)
contains the hormone progestogen and is
taken every day without a break. The other
is the combined pill (COC) which contains
both oestrogen and progestogen and is
taken for three weeks (21 days) out of
every four. During the fourth week when
no pills are being taken a woman will have
her 'pill period' known as a withdrawal
bleed. Some combined pills are known as
Everyday (ED) Pills as they are packaged
with a week of placebo (or dummy pills) to
use in week four. These are helpful for
women who are worried about
remembering to start a new pack of pills
after the week off. They are in every other
way identical. There are many brands of
combined pills.
Implant
A small tube about the size of a hair grip
is placed under the skin and releases
progestogen over three years. It has
all the advantages of the pill.
10
FAMILYPLANNING
✗ She’ll need to see a doctor or
nurse in order to get them.
✗ They may alter periods - which
does no harm but can be annoying.
✗ Some women may get side effects;
though you can always change to
another hormonal method.
✗ If a woman has certain medical
conditions, or wants to avoid the risk of
certain conditions, she may not be able
to use some hormonal contraceptives.
Check with the doctor.
✗ Hormonal contraceptives don’t protect
against sexually transmitted infections.
Unless both of you have been tested,
you’ll need to use a condom.
No
Injection
A hormonal injection slowly releases
progestogen into the body - the effects last for
up to 12 weeks. There’s no need to remember
to take pills! But if there are side effects, they
last for 12 weeks too - and after injections are
stopped, it may take a while to conceive.
Patch
A small thin patch is stuck on the arm,
stomach or bottom, to release oestrogen
and progestogen. Don’t worry, it won’t slide
off; it’s waterproof! It needs renewing each
week - but one advantage is that it can be
used to postpone the monthly ‘bleed’.
IUD and IUS
The copper IUD and the progestogen IUS
are small devices that are fitted in a woman’s
womb by a doctor or nurse to prevent
pregnancy. They may be uncomfortable to fit
and there might be a risk of infection around
the time of insertion. They are very reliable,
reversible and the IUD is effective for 3-10
years (depending on type), while the IUS is
effective for 5 years.
Who can help?
Hormonal contraceptives are free
on prescription, from a GP or family
planning clinic. Tesco Pharmacies are
open every day for prescription
fulfilment. Some private organisations
also offer paid-for advice and
contraception.
Talk to your GP or practice nurse about
which of these may be the right choice
for you.
11
FAMILYPLANNING
None of the
contraceptive
methods on this page
protect against
sexually transmitted
infections.
Forgetting
If you know you may forget to
take the pill each day, this isn’t
the method for you!
If you’ve missed a pill or vomited,
use an extra contraceptive method
like a condom. Certain antibiotics
may also affect the pill’s reliability
so alternative contraception may
be required. The pill packet will
have further instructions on what
to do - or pop in and ask at your
Tesco Pharmacy.

Problem infections
Sadly, sex carries the risk of sexually
transmitted infections (STIs). The
more partners you have, the more
at riskyou are. But you can even catch
an STI the first time you have sex if your
partner’s had sexual relationships with
other partners without protection.
If you have any of these symptoms, get a
check-up. But be careful - many STIs show
no symptoms at all.
• pain or burning when you pass urine
• itches, rashes or lumps on or around
genitals
• unusual discharge
• pain or bleeding during sex or between
periods
• low abdominal pain or pain in your genitals
Breaking the news
It may feel scary to tell a partner
that you have a sexually transmitted
infection - or to be told that your
partner has one. But if you don’t tell
each other, then the STI will never get
treated - and you may well end up
passing it to and from each other.
So tell your partner - and be grateful
to a partner who is honest!
Who can help?
Most STIs can be completely cured if
found early enough. For treatment see
your GP, or for alternative confidential
advice, go to a sexual health clinic - for
details, call NHS Direct (0845 46 47
24hrs) or the Sexual Health Line
(0800 567 123 24hrs) - or contact the
fpa (Family Planning Association).
12
FAMILYPLANNING
How to prevent
✔ Many infections are very
unlikely to be passed on if you
use a condom.
✔ No other form of contraception
helps to protect you.
✔ So with new or irregular
partners, use a condom all
the time, even if you’re using
another form of contraception
like the pill.
✔ Once you are ready to have
unprotected sex, it’s a good
idea for both of you to get
tested for STIs.
UNPLANNED PREGNANCY
Some things that might mean your
chosen contraception or protection
doesn’t or can’t work are:
• you don’t have contraception with you
• you’re so carried away you forget to
use it
• you don’t want to stop making love to
fetch the contraception
• using contraception would upset your
partner so you don’t use it
• the condom, diaphragm or cap splits
or slips
• the pill gets forgotten
• you are ill and so the pill doesn’t work
• you miscalculate your dates when using
the natural family planning method
• you actually want to have a baby but
haven’t admitted that to yourself
Some myths
Yes, pregnancy can
still happen even if... it’s
your very first time...
she’s on her period...
she hasn’t
climaxed...
If you choose to have sex without contraception or protection,
askyourself why. Realising the reasons behind your slip will help you
make the right decision next time.
13
FAMILYPLANNING
Emergency
If you have had unprotected
sex, you can still take action to
avoid pregnancy if you act fast.
Emergency contraception can
be used. Askyour pharmacist
or seek advice immediately
from your GP, family planning
clinic, sexual health clinic,
NHS walk-in centre, or the
organisations listed on the
back of this booklet. To check
for infection, you can both go
to a sexual health clinic.
Remember, once you’ve given birth,
you still need to use contraception
again as soon as you have sex to
avoid getting pregnant again. Failing
to use contraception just after birth
is a very common cause of
unplanned pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant and don’t want to
be, it’s important to talk to someone
qualified to advise you, like your GP.

When you’re ready
for pregnancy
Talking it through
It’s a good idea, particularly when you’re
first starting a family, to swap notes before
you make a final decision about whether
and when you try for a baby.
One good way to do this is to list the
reasons you each have for wanting a child.
List the tasks you know will be part of child
rearing and who will do them. List the
additional money and time you’ll need to
spend on a child. List the changes that will
happen to your lives after the birth -
particularly, who will give up paid work.
Then compare notes. Where you find
differences, talk these through until you
understand each other and agree as far
as possible. It’ll also help to read some
parenting books and talk to other parents
to find out what parenting’s really like.
Then make your decision with confidence
that you both have the same attitude to
creating a baby.
Reasons to wait
Sometimes having a baby may
seem the solution to problems
in some people’s lives. But if
you have any of the following
issues, the stress of parenthood
will only make them worse:
• only one of you wants a child
• your relationship’s under strain
• you have financial problems
• you’re unhappy with yourself
or your life
Hold back until you’ve got
things sorted between you.
14
FAMILYPLANNING
Who can help?
When you decide to start trying for
a baby,Tesco Pharmacists can support
by advising you on nutrition, diet and
vitamins, how to stop smoking, how
and why you could use ovulation
tests and pregnancy tests.
Trying for a baby
Awoman releases just one egg
each cycle - a process known as
ovulation. This is the 'fertile time',
so if you want to maximise your chances
of conception, you need to make love on
the day before and the day of ovulation.
However, sperm can live up to 7 days, so
making love within a few days prior to
ovulation can also result in pregnancy.
An ovulation test will help you trackyour
own unique cycle so that you can detect
your most fertile time.
Start well in advance
You probably won't know you are pregnant
until at least a few weeks after conception
has occurred. But those first few weeks of
pregnancy are the ones where your baby’s
most vulnerable. So you both need to start
looking after yourselves well before trying
to conceive.
15
FAMILYPLANNING
See the doctor
Before actually trying for a baby, it's good
for you both to go to see your GP to have
a sort of 'MOT'. That way you can check
your physical wellbeing and get advice on
a lifestyle that will help you plan a happy,
healthy pregnancy. You are then reassured
that you are both physically and mentally
ready to start trying for a baby.
Pregnancy testing
When a woman becomes pregnant her
hormone levels change - she produces
a hormone called human chorionic
gonadotrophin (hCG) that can be
detected in urine. If you think you might
be pregnant you can buy a pregnancy
test from Tesco - if used correctly it's
just as accurate and reliable as going
to the GP or Family Planning Clinic.

Preparing for Pregnancy
Whether you’re trying for a
baby or trying to avoid having
one, your local Tesco
Pharmacist can give you
advice that’s free, immediate,
and confidential; and can also
advise you on the best
supplements to maximise your
health and to help with the
birth of a healthy baby.
16
FAMILYPLANNING
Ahealthy diet and lifestyle and a
relaxed approach to conceiving may
help you more than you first think.
Being stressed about the matter won’t help
at all, so do try to eat well, take gentle
exercise and get plenty of rest and sleep.
Being in the best of health contributes to
your chances of conceiving and will help you
to have a healthy pregnancy. A new baby can
be physically and emotionally exhausting, so
both partners should take good care of
themselves when planning to conceive,
throughout pregnancy and after the birth
of the baby.
Men can try boosting their intake of zinc,
iron, selenium and foods rich in vitamin E,
such as lean red meat, poultry, fish,
wholegrain cereals and green vegetables.
These foods benefit women too, as do foods
rich in vitamin B6 such as wholemeal bread,
bananas and peas. Avoid skipping meals even
if you just have a light, healthy snack. Folic
Acid is very important – ask your Tesco
Pharmacist for advice. For more tips for
would-be mums and dads, see page 19.
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Testing for Pregnancy
and Ovulation
You can find out easily if you are
pregnant by using a home pregnancy
test. When you are pregnant your
body produces a hormone called human
chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) that can be
detected in your urine. When performed
correctly most pregnancy tests are over
99% accurate when used from the day your
period is due. Some pregnancy tests have
unique features which help ensure that you
get a reliable result.
Contrary to popular belief women’s
menstrual cycles are not always 28 days,
this is simply an average. Knowing your
usual cycle length means that you’ll know
when your period is due. Count the day
your period starts (first day of full
menstrual flow) as Day 1, and continue
counting through to the day before your
next period starts. The number of days is
your cycle length for that cycle. If you
make a note each time your period starts,
you’ll understand your cycles much better.
If you are trying to get pregnant, having
an understanding of your own unique cycle
becomes even more important. You are
only fertile for a few days each cycle and
are most fertile on only 2 of those days –
close to the time that you ovulate (when
your body releases an egg). When these
days occur during the cycle varies
between women and from one cycle to
another. Clearblue Ovulation Test can find
your two days by detecting the increase
(surge) of Luteinising Hormone (LH) in
your urine. The LH surge occurs approximately
24-36 hours prior to ovulation.
You are at your most fertile on the day of
your LH surge and the day after; these are
the best 2 days to conceive your baby.
The tests are easy to use – like a
pregnancy test - and are 99% accurate.
Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test
displays a ‘Pregnant’ or ‘Not Pregnant’
result in words so it’s very easy to read.
www.Clearblue.info

What else do I need to know?
If you find you do not get pregnant
immediately, don’t panic - 90 out of
every 100 couples become pregnant
by the end of two years. But if this
hasn’t happened after six months of
trying, you may not be having sex at the
fertile time. Try an ovulation kit so that
you can be more accurate - or if you’ve
been using natural family planning
methods for contraception, use them to
find out when you’re ovulating.
Ovulation test
An ovulation kit helps you identify your
most fertile time by detecting an
increase (surge) in Luteinising Hormone
(LH) in your urine. The LH surge
occurs prior to the release of an egg
(a process known as ovulation). You
are at your most fertile on the day your
LH surge is detected and the day after.
You can buy an ovulation kit from
Tesco Pharmacy.
Really wanting a baby and not already
having become pregnant can put your
relationship under strain. So if you’re
feeling any of these things, remember,
you’re absolutely normal: Losing desire...
wanting to make love all the time...
feeling bad about yourselves and each
other... being angry... feeling some past
mistake has caused the problem... feeling
isolated... thinking you should split up...
being anxious and depressed. The
important thing is to cope together.
18
FAMILYPLANNING
“We did have tests, but
decided not to go for IVF.
Then we relaxed - and
three months later, I fell
pregnant with Lucy.”
Moira, 34
Coping together
If things are not going to plan, don’t blame
yourselves or each other. Conception
difficulties are no one’s fault. Keep talking
about your thoughts and feelings.
Get support from outside - family, friends and
one of the organisations listed on the back
cover of this booklet may be able to help you.
If your relationship’s suffering, see a
counsellor to help you get your relationship
back on track.
Who can help?
Your first port of call if you want advice
about conception is your GP or practice
nurse. There are many factors involved in
getting pregnant so you shouldn't
automatically jump to conclusions if it
doesn't happen straight away. If your GP
feels it necessary, he or she may refer you
to a specialist for tests. If the tests do show
that you do have a 'medical problem' you
may be able to get treatment through the
NHS or can pay to go to a private clinic.
10
TIPS
for would-be
mums & dads
3 Try to
lose weight
before conception,
to avoid diabetes
and high blood
pressure during
pregnancy.
1
Get fit,
but don’t
overdo it; too much
6
exercise may make
conception harder.
A daily walk will
fit the bill.
Avoid
your cat’s
litter box; it
may contain
harmful
parasites.
9
5
Start eating
a balanced and
nutritional diet
and cut down,
or cut out,
drinking
alcohol.
Wear gloves
while gardening
& wash your hands
afterwards to avoid
infections that may
harm your unborn
baby.
19
FAMILYPLANNING
Folic Acid
and products
like Pregnacare,
which contains a special
blend of 17 vitamins and
minerals, including the
recommended daily intake
of folic acid, can help
throughout your
pregnancy.
Smoking
can affect the
fertility of both
men and women,
and harm the baby.
So try very hard
to stop.
7
Avoid
x-rays,
including
dental
x-rays.
2
4
Men
should avoid
tight trousers and
underwear, especially
made from synthetic
materials, as they
may lower sperm
count.
10
8
Avoid soft
cheeses, paté,
soft-boiled eggs, cold
meats, liver and chilled
foods - they may
contain bacteria or
other harmful
substances.