Controlling your environmental exposure
Asbestos, lead, and radiation exposures should be avoided. If you have a cat, speak with your doctor about taking blood tests to see if you have antibodies to toxoplasma (parasite that can cause birth defects). If you do not have antibodies, you should use gloves and a mask to change litter boxes during pregnancy.

Controlling your habits
If you drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or use illegal drugs, these habits need to be modified, preferably stopped, once you begin trying to conceive. They all can have terrible, lasting effects on your baby as its organs are developing, even before you know for sure if you are pregnant. For your own health as well as your future children, quitting, or at least cutting down on these habits, will help everyone. Your doctor can give you information about support groups, treatment centers and other sources of help.

What is the Best Time to Conceive?

Now that you have taken all of the proper steps to get ready for pregnancy, what is the best way to get pregnant? If you are a woman and have a twenty-eight day menstrual cycle, you should start having intercourse at least five days before you expect to ovulate. This is usually about nine days after you begin your period. You should continue to have sex at least every other day until day nineteen.

There does not appear to be any advantageous sexual position, but it is best for ejaculation to occur deep within the vagina. There also does not appear to be any benefit to bed rest following intercourse (most sperm swim up the reproductive tract rather quickly).

Many people believe that stress affects a couple's ability to conceive. This is a myth. It is important, however, to keep the romance alive in your marriage, and try not to let the process of trying to get pregnant create friction or stress. Trying to conceive should be enjoyable for both partners.

Conclusion

Remember, be patient when you are trying to get pregnant. Many patients tell me they want to get pregnant in a certain month so they can deliver at a time that fits in their schedule. One of the couples I visited with wanted to conceive on a certain day so that they could deliver before the end of the year and sneak in another tax deduction. The reality is that getting pregnant can sometimes take six months to a year because the chance of conception each month is only one in five or six. If success does not come within six months to a year of trying, it is reasonable for the couple to talk with their physician to find out whether any tests or treatments are indicated.

Finally, getting pregnant is just the beginning of a wonderful experience of being a parent and raising a child. As the father of two-year-old twin boys and another baby on the way, I highly recommend it. Good luck to you.

Dr. Alan Copperman is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Medicine at the Mount Sinai Medical Center, and is Director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology.
Dr. Copperman is Board Certified in both Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology. He has authored numerous articles and chapters on infertility, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and pelvic surgery. Dr. Copperman is frequently quoted in the media, including The New York Times, The Daiy News, and Parenting Magazine. He has appeared on "20/20," and numerous other local and national news shows. He is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.

Copyright © Alan Copperman. Permission to republish granted to Pregnancy.org, LLC.