Prepare for an heir (From The Northern Echo)

Prepare for an heir

11:25am Tuesday 12th July 2011 in Echo Woman

Announcing your intention to start a family is one thing, but becoming pregnant can be quite another. Sarah O’Meara finds out how the Duchess of Cambridge – and anyone else – can improve their chances.

SO radiant is Kate Middleton’s post-wedding glow that you’d be forgiven for thinking she might already be with child. But perhaps that’s what marrying a prince does for your complexion.

The Duchess did, however, drop a little hint last week, while on a walkabout in Quebec City, Canada, that she and Wills are hoping for an addition to their household.

When a member of the public wished her luck in starting her own family, she thanked him and added: “Yes, I hope to.”

But has luck got anything to do with it?

According to the experts, there’s plenty Catherine can be doing to follow in Princess Diana’s footsteps and give birth to an heir 11 months after her wedding.

On average, couples have a 25 per cent chance of conceiving each month, says midwife Zita West, with most fertile couples achieving pregnancy within one year.

“The most important factor when planning for a baby is age. The older you are, the less fertile you become,”

she says, while adding that preparation will also pay dividends.

“Remember it takes two to conceive.

You need healthy eggs and sperm, so both of you should take part in preparation. The fitter you are prior to conception, the more chance you have of having a healthy baby.”

Dr Sarah Brewer, author of Planning a Baby? A Complete Guide to Preconceptual Care (Vermilion, £8.99), adds that preconceptual care should start at least three months before trying to conceive and, if you are planning well in advance, six months is ideal. “If you intend trying for a baby right away, however, then any steps you can take are better late than never.”

She adds that the most important time of a baby’s development is the first four weeks after conception, often before a mother is even aware that she is pregnant, so establishing a healthy lifestyle as early as possible is advisable.

“If a baby is undernourished at this critical time, they seem more likely to develop coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes or diabetes in later life – possibly because of the way the circulatory system is laid down. By being careful with diet and taking recommended vitamins and minerals, a mother can literally boost her baby’s health for life.”

Take a pregnant pause

Here are five pieces of sage advice to consider before you start trying for a baby...

• It’s important to be the right weight, says Zita West, who runs a reproductive health clinic for fertility and pregnancy (zitawest.com).

Being overweight can lead to hormonal imbalances and stop ovulation, while being underweight and having too little body fat will cause oestrogen levels to drop causing irregular cycles and also stop ovulation.

You can ask your GP to check your BMI (Body Mass Index).

• Start taking supplements of folic acid (400mcg daily) at least a month before trying to conceive and continue these for at least the first three months of pregnancy, advises Dr Brewer. Also choose a multi-nutrient supplement designed for pregnancy.

• It’s a good idea to see your doctor to check your blood pressure is normal, your urine is clear of albumin (protein) and glucose (sugar), your cervical smear is up-to-date and that you are immune to rubella, explains Dr Brewer. If you are taking any essential medications, ask your doctor whether these need to be changed. If you have epilepsy, diabetes or any other long-term conditions, you may benefit from referral to an obstetrician for prenatal advice.

• If you’ve been using contraception, such as the pill, for a number of years, start trying for a baby as soon as you come off, advises Zita West.

Studies show that you may be more fertile when you first stop taking it.

Also, get to know your cycle when you come off the pill, so you learn to understand your fertile time.

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat a healthy, wholefood diet, stop smoking and try to have no more than one or two units of alcohol once or twice a week, suggests Dr Brewer. Also, avoid any non-essential drugs – including over-the-counter supplements that have not been especially designed for pregnancy.

Paternal responsibilities

Preconceptual care is essential for future dads too. It takes 100 days for the body to make a sperm, explains Dr Brewer. Here are three tips for the father-to-be to make sure his sperm are in top condition:

• Wear loose, cotton boxer shorts rather than tight pants made from man-made fibres – these generate heat and static electricity which can lower sperm count by up to 20 per cent.

• Eat a diet rich in natural antioxidant vitamins C and E, as well as beta carotene and zinc, and consider taking supplements containing all these – they are vital for healthy sperm and can increase both quality and quantity.

• Lower your alcohol intake and preferably abstain altogether as 40 per cent of male infertility is linked with just a moderate alcohol intake.